Executive Team Members:
President - Jerel Bonner
Jerel Bonner is the author of “Sharpening China’s Talent” and a TEDx speaker. He is a ‘human behavior awareness’ consultant, advising and coaching senior level executives. Jerel has a keen eye for observing human behavior patterns, and a solid foundation of how those actions impress those they are working with. He helps others confront reality, so that they can learn how to reach their full potential. Jerel has over 1500 hours of coaching experience, built on the foundational conviction that relationship and expertise power are more effective than role power. Prior to starting Corralling Chaos, he was an executive coach supporting multinational corporations in China for 14 years. Jerel has also delivered lectures to the Fundan University MBA program, the JiaoTong University’s MBA-C program, and has made business presentations to audiences around the world.
Jerel Bonner is the author of “Sharpening China’s Talent” and a TEDx speaker. He is a ‘human behavior awareness’ consultant, advising and coaching senior level executives. Jerel has a keen eye for observing human behavior patterns, and a solid foundation of how those actions impress those they are working with. He helps others confront reality, so that they can learn how to reach their full potential. Jerel has over 1500 hours of coaching experience, built on the foundational conviction that relationship and expertise power are more effective than role power. Prior to starting Corralling Chaos, he was an executive coach supporting multinational corporations in China for 14 years. Jerel has also delivered lectures to the Fundan University MBA program, the JiaoTong University’s MBA-C program, and has made business presentations to audiences around the world.
Outgoing President - Amanda Van Swearingen, PhD
Amanda is a cancer biologist and neuropharmacologist with the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis (DCBSM). She oversees the research portfolio for the Center, spanning from preclinical to translational to clinical studies, including clinical trials, across solid tumor types. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wake Forest University in 2007 and a PhD from Duke University in 2012 in Molecular Cancer Biology. Amanda’s ultimate goal is to utilize her training in pharmacology, neuroendocrinology, drug development and regulatory affairs in the development and translation of effective therapies for unmet clinical needs. As the President of Triangle Biotech Tuesday, she aimed to foster long-term connections between scientists and life science professionals in RTP.
Amanda is a cancer biologist and neuropharmacologist with the Duke Center for Brain and Spine Metastasis (DCBSM). She oversees the research portfolio for the Center, spanning from preclinical to translational to clinical studies, including clinical trials, across solid tumor types. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wake Forest University in 2007 and a PhD from Duke University in 2012 in Molecular Cancer Biology. Amanda’s ultimate goal is to utilize her training in pharmacology, neuroendocrinology, drug development and regulatory affairs in the development and translation of effective therapies for unmet clinical needs. As the President of Triangle Biotech Tuesday, she aimed to foster long-term connections between scientists and life science professionals in RTP.
Vice President - Anne Ballou, PhD
Anne Ballou works to support sustainable and safe food animal production by improving gastrointestinal health and function in swine and poultry. She received her B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky, and her PhD in Functional Genomics from North Carolina State University, where she studied the relationships between gastrointestinal bacteria and host immune function. Anne overlays nutrition, genetics, and immunology in her research to understand and promote microbiomes that contribute to host health and function. In addition to her research efforts, Anne works to be a part of the cross-disciplinary cooperation that goes into developing and implementing effective outreach, and science and agriculture policy.
Anne Ballou works to support sustainable and safe food animal production by improving gastrointestinal health and function in swine and poultry. She received her B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science from the University of Kentucky, and her PhD in Functional Genomics from North Carolina State University, where she studied the relationships between gastrointestinal bacteria and host immune function. Anne overlays nutrition, genetics, and immunology in her research to understand and promote microbiomes that contribute to host health and function. In addition to her research efforts, Anne works to be a part of the cross-disciplinary cooperation that goes into developing and implementing effective outreach, and science and agriculture policy.
Treasurer - Justin Kurian, PhD
Justin received his Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware in 2012, followed by a stint in the pharmaceutical industry as a validation engineer. This experience inspired him to delve into basic science research, leading to the completion of a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Florida in 2019, focusing on parvovirus structure and function. With his continued interest in the R&D space, Justin now supports the development of gene therapies for rare diseases at Pfizer. As a member of TBT, he looks forward to promoting lively discourse and networking between faculty/students/postdocs, industry professionals, and all who have a passion for the life sciences.
Justin received his Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware in 2012, followed by a stint in the pharmaceutical industry as a validation engineer. This experience inspired him to delve into basic science research, leading to the completion of a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Florida in 2019, focusing on parvovirus structure and function. With his continued interest in the R&D space, Justin now supports the development of gene therapies for rare diseases at Pfizer. As a member of TBT, he looks forward to promoting lively discourse and networking between faculty/students/postdocs, industry professionals, and all who have a passion for the life sciences.
Secretary & Event Coordinator - Madelyn Huang
Madelyn (Mimi) Huang, PhD is a postdoctoral trainee in the Division of the National Toxicology Program at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park. She began attending TBT in the last year of her PhD in Toxicology at UNC Chapel Hill and has thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and networking at TBT ever since. From interviewing alumni from the UNC Toxicology Program about their careers to chairing the NIEHS Biomedical Career Symposium, Mimi has a passion for helping fellow students and colleagues build connections and find their next step.
Madelyn (Mimi) Huang, PhD is a postdoctoral trainee in the Division of the National Toxicology Program at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park. She began attending TBT in the last year of her PhD in Toxicology at UNC Chapel Hill and has thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and networking at TBT ever since. From interviewing alumni from the UNC Toxicology Program about their careers to chairing the NIEHS Biomedical Career Symposium, Mimi has a passion for helping fellow students and colleagues build connections and find their next step.
