Entrepreneurial Fellows

The Entrepreneurial Fellows (EF) Award Application Submission portal is currently CLOSED. Visit often to check for updates on when the next application opening date will be.


At the CBC, we believe that in order to create a self-sustaining life science ecosystem, we must invest in building a foundational skilled operator network with not only the skills, but the connections to grow our portfolio ventures as they scale here in Illinois.

Through our Entrepreneurial Fellows (EF) program, we provide structured, hands-on training in biotech development, project management, and translational strategy. We are developing the specialized workforce required to execute early-stage biopharma programs— one that has experience with program strategy, IP, regulatory challenges, and business development literacy.

CBC Entrepreneurial Fellow Spotlight

Cristina Vaca Spotlight Main

August 28, 2026

Entrepreneurial Fellows Spotlight:
Cristina Vaca
___________

Leaving a Biotech Hub to Help Build One: One Fellow's Path Into Chicago's Biotech Ecosystem

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Meet the CBC Entrepreneurial Fellows

  • Taylor BrownTAYLOR BROWN
    taylor.brown@northwestern.edu

    Taylor is a regenerative engineer who earned her B.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at Northwestern University. Her doctoral work in Dr. Bin Jiang’s lab explored new vascular therapies inspired by the way sympathetic nerves naturally regulate vascular smooth muscle cells. She has experience working with small molecules, biomaterials, and medical devices to develop healthcare solutions that enable the body to regenerate itself. Alongside her research, Taylor has built skills in science communication, commercialization, and mentorship. Her internship experiences at Baxter (2018) and Dimension Bio (2023) informed her decision to pursue a career in biotechnology. Taylor is excited to join the CBC and help Chicagoland innovators mature their discoveries into therapeutics that impact patients.▸ More on LinkedIN

    William CorcoranWILLIAM CORCORAN
    william.corcoran@northwestern.edu

    Will is a biological engineer with a background in synthetic biology, protein engineering, and cell therapies. He earned his PhD at Northwestern University in Biology, where his research focused on engineering receptors for applications in cell therapies. During his PhD he worked with Northwestern’s Innovations and New Ventures Office, ARCH Venture Partners, and ARTIS Ventures to evaluate and build early-stage therapeutics companies. Prior to pursuing his graduate studies, he earned a B.A. from Carleton College in Biology and held various roles at Amyris creating renewable products through metabolic engineering. He is excited to work with other skilled scientists and strategists to help grow the biotechnology and therapeutics ecosystem in Chicago, and more broadly, the Midwest. ▸ More on LinkedIN

    Julio Miranda-AlbanJULIO MIRANDA-ALBAN
    julio.mirandaalban@northwestern.edu

    Julio is a versatile life scientist who earned a BS in Genetics and Biotechnology from San Marcos University in Peru and a PhD in Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology from the University of Chicago. His research background spans targeted protein degradation, cell signaling, cancer biology, population genetics, and public health. During his internship at the Chicago Biomedical Consortium (CBC), Julio gained first-hand exposure to early-stage science commercialization by working with cutting-edge biomedical innovations emerging from Chicago’s leading academic institutions. Inspired by this experience, he has now returned to the CBC as an Entrepreneurial Fellow and is excited to help position Chicagoland globally as a leading biotech hub. ▸ More on LinkedIN

    Cristina VacaCRISTINA VACA
    cristina.vaca@northwestern.edu

    Cristina earned her bachelors in Biochemistry from the University of Pennsylvania and her PhD in Microbiology & Immunology from Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. Her thesis work in the laboratory of Richard D’Aquila focused on developing novel functional cure strategies for HIV by studying the biology of HIV viral rebound. During her PhD, Cristina also led the Research team at Nucleate Chicago—a student-run accelerator program that educates academic trainees in biotech commercialization and on how to turn their technology into a life science startup. Cristina is passionate about biopharma, vaccine development, and the intersection between biotechnology and sustainability initiatives. ▸ More on LinkedIN

  • Elena BoselliELENA BOSELLI
    elena.boselli@northwestern.edu

    Elena Boselli, PhD is a biomedical engineer passionate about sensor technologies for point-of-care applications both in the healthcare and environmental sector, with a focus on solutions with impactful public health implications. Interested in applying a problem-solving and evidence-based mindset in bioentrepreneurship and translating promising research into commercial life sciences solutions that can directly impact and benefit people’s lives. Constantly amazed by the magic of Chicago. ▸ More on LinkedIN

    Saffron LittleSAFFRON LITTLE
    saffron.little@northwestern.edu

    Saffron Little earned her B.S. in Chemistry and M.A. in Biology from Fisk University and her Ph.D. in Chemical Biology from the University of Michigan. She conducted her thesis research in the laboratory of Dr. Morgan DeSantis, where she developed microscopy-based assays to study the assembly of the activated dynein transport complex, a key player in cellular organization whose disfunction is implicated in several neurological diseases including Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Throughout her graduate career Saffron demonstrated her passion for research and education by volunteering in science outreach and mentorship programs aimed at inspiring the next generation of scientists. Now back in her hometown of Chicago, she is excited about gaining expertise in bringing scientific innovations to real-world application through commercialization with the CBC. ▸ More on LinkedIN

    Richard MartinezRICHARD MARTINEZ
    richard.martinez@northwestern.edu

    Richard holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology from the University of Minnesota. His doctoral research, conducted under the guidance of Dr. Ryan Hunter, centered on host-pathogen interactions in chronic respiratory infections, with a strong emphasis on proteomic analysis in the context of cystic fibrosis. This work provided him with hands-on experience using advanced techniques such as substrate-analog labeling, and it allowed him to collaborate with both patients and healthcare providers. Before earning Bachelor’s degrees in Microbiology and Biochemistry from Colorado State University, he served eight years in the United States Army Reserve, completing multiple tours with the Army Corps of Engineers. He participated as both a Fellow and a Mentor in the American Society for Microbiology’s Future Leaders Mentoring program. Driven by a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration, Richard is eager to further develop skills translating biomedical research to the commercial space through his role with the CBC. ▸ More on LinkedIN

  • Ahmed Disouky

    AHMED DISOUKY
    2023 (Spring) Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Senior Associate Director,
    Scientific Grants
    -Alzheimer’s Association
    ▸ More on LinkedIN

    Schnaude Dorizan

    SCHNAUDE DORIZAN
    2022 Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Strategic Advisor, Growth & Capital
    -Delphian Therapeutics

    ▸ More on LinkedIN

     

    Dennis Echevarria-Cooper

    DENNIS ECHEVARRIA-COOPER
    2023 (Fall) Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Senior Associate Director
    New Program Innovation & Entrepreneurship
    -Chicago Biomedical Consortium
    ▸ More on LinkedIN

    Jordan Fauser

    Jordan Fauser
    2024 (Fall) Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Director of Translational Science Programs & Initiatives
    -Chicago Biomedical Consortium

    ▸ More on LinkedIN

     

    Carissa Heath

    CARISSA HEATH FINKLE
    2019 Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Senior Program Manager
    -Foresite Labs

    ▸ More on LinkedIN

    Amanda Maldonado

    AMANDA MALDONADO
    2022 Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Innovation Portfolio, Manager
    -Lurie Children’s Hospital

    ▸ More on LinkedIN

     

    Elan Ness-Cohn

    ELAN NESS-COHN
    2022 Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Senior Manager, Life Science Ventures
    -Northwestern University’s Querrey InQbation Lab

    ▸ More on LinkedIN

    Sateja Paradkar

    SATEJA PARADKAR
    2024 Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Project Manager II
    -Critical Path Institute (C-Path)

    ▸ More on LinkedIN

     

    Mandy Pinheiro

    MANDY PINHEIRO
    2024 Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Co-founder
    -Evina Biosciences

    ▸ More on LinkedIN

    Tanvi Potluri

    TANVI POTLURI
    2024 Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Life Sciences Specialist
    -L.E.K. Consulting

    ▸ More on LinkedIN

     

    Sonal Rangnekar

    SONAL RANGNEKAR
    2023 (Spring) Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Portfolio Development Manager
    -Medline Industries, LP

    ▸ More on LinkedIN

    eric schiffhauer

    ERIC SCHIFFHAUER
    2019 Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    CBC-HITES Senior Director of Translation
    -Chicago Biomedical Consortium
    ▸ More on LinkedIN

     

    Ashley Shannon

    ASHLEY SHANNON
    2024 Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Associate Consultant
    -ZS
    ▸ More on LinkedIN

    Owen Shelton

    OWEN SHELTON
    2023 (spring) Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    TBA

    ▸ More on LinkedIN

     

    Lucas Shores

    LUCAS SHORES
    2023 (Fall) Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    CEO and Co-Founder
    -Laborecom Therapeutics, Inc
    ▸ More on LinkedIN

    Karol Sokolowski

    KAROL SOKOLOWSKI
    2022 Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Senior Director of Strategic Growth
    -Portal Innovations

    ▸ More on LinkedIN

     

    Alex Villareal

    ALEX VILLARREAL
    2023 (Fall) Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Manager, Scientific Strategy and Partnership Development
    -Xentria, Inc
    ▸ More on LinkedIN

    Rachel Wallace

    RACHEL WALLACE
    2023 Entrepreneurial Fellow

    Current position:
    Senior Scientist, Translational Science
    -Pioneering Medicines

    ▸ More on LinkedIN

 Watch our three part Entrepreneurial Fellowship Highlight Video Series to gain insight on the program from an EF’s perspective:

  • What do EFs do?
  • What value does the EF program add?
  • What was unique about their experience with the CBC?

 
*Please note: The EF program is not a postdoc position and does not offer bench work opportunities.

Questions about the CBC EF program or application process, should be directed to Dennis Echevarria-Cooper at dennis.echevarria@northwestern.edu or Elizabeth McMath at elizabeth.mcmath@northwestern.edu.



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