Allison Hubel, PhD is Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the Biopreservation Core Resource (BioCoR), a national resource in biopreservation. Dr. Hubel has studied both basic science and translational issues behind preservation of molecules, cells and tissues. Her research focuses on development of fit-for-purpose protocols for preservation, development of technology to improve preservation/processing of cells, and understanding molecular mechanisms of damage during preservation. She has developed and offered professional short courses on preservation of cell therapies and biospecimens. She has several patents in the area of preservation, some of which are being commercialized. She is a co-principal investigator for the NIH–funded REACH program that helps faculty commercialize their research at the U of MN. She is a fellow of ASME and AIMBE and a National Blood Foundation Scholar. She has been honored recently with the Outstanding Achievement in Biobanking Award from ISBER. She has published numerous articles related to preservation and is a former deputy editor of Biopreservation and Biobanking.
Diane Kadidlo received her B.S. from Iowa State University. She has over 30 years of experience in cell and tissue manufacturing, regulation and quality assurance. She has served as the Supervisor for the University of Minnesota Medical Center Clinical Cell Therapy Laboratory since 1996 overseeing the production of cell and tissue products in support of the University of Minnesota's Blood and Marrow Transplant Program. Currently she is the Director of th UMN's Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics Facility and plays a key role in coordinating the transfer of cell and tissue engineering methods from the laboratory bench to clinical trial while ensuring compliance with the FDA's Good Manufacturing Practices/Good Tissue Practices.
David McKenna, M.D. is a Professor of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology at the University of Minnesota (UMN) where he holds the American Red Cross Chair in Transfusion Medicine. He is the Medical Director of Molecular & Cellular Therapeutics, the cGMP facility of the UMN, and the Laboratory and Medical Director of the M Health Clinical Cell Therapy Lab. He served as the PI for the most recent NHLBI-sponsored PACT (Production Assistance for Cellular Therapies) contract, and he was the co-PI of the UMN's NIH R25 training program in cell therapy. He is the program director for the fellowship in Transfusion medicine as well as the newly opened fellowship in Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine. Dr. McKenna is a member of the International Society for Cellular Therapy, the American Association of Blood Banks and a Scientific Member and Team Co-Leader of the BEST Collaborative Cellular Therapy Team. His interests include QA/QC in cellular therapy and translational research/clinical scale-up of biotherapeutics.
Ian M Pope, PhD, MBA, BSc is a thought leader and acknowledged expert in cryogenic and ultra-cold storage and transport. As the current Chief Commercial Officer for IC Biomedical, Ian oversees the company's sales, marketing, and research and development strategy. Together with fellow industry experts, the IC Biomedical leadership team is leveraging their collective 100 years of experience in the industry to build the market-leading cryogenic storage and transport manufacturing company and create a paradigm shift within the cryo/bio market. Building on a 64-year foundation with the acquisition of International Cryogenics and the Taylor-Wharton line manufactured by Worthington's Life Sciences Group, IC Biomedical is bringing new life to the cryogenic equipment market. With a long career in cryotechnology and biomedical engineering, Ian first worked in the area of cryogenic storage as a director of Planer PLC the world’s foremost manufacturer of controlled rate freezers and as Vice President of the Biomedical division of Chart Industries. Ian has experience working with Core Cryolab in Toronto, Cryo Associates Group, and Brooks Life Sciences Cryo Solutions Group. Originally from the United Kingdom, Ian graduated from the Royal Society Chemistry in London with a bachelor of science in chemistry and an holds an MBA from Henley Management College in Henley, UK.
Fran Rabe has over 20 years of experience working in the areas of tissue and cell quality assurance and regulatory compliance. She currently oversees the quality assurance aspect of operations at the University of Minnesota Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics (MCT) Facility, a GMP facility that manufactures standard and IND hematopoietic products, pancreatic cellular products and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Fran has extensive experience with audits, having performed in excess of 50 GMP audits at multiple U.S. and international institutions. She also has extensive experience with FDA IND submissions and working directly with FDA as it relates to the regulation of cellular and tissue products. In addition to holding a Masters Degree in Manufacturing Systems, Ms. Rabe is an American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Manager.
Katie Pollock, PhD, is an industry-leading cryobiologist dedicated to improving patient outcomes. With over 7 years of industry experience and more than 12 years of subject matter expertise in cryopreservation, she possesses a wealth of knowledge in her field. Dr. Pollock's work in industry is focused on process development to improve formulation, fill finish, container closure, and cryopreservation. Her contributions have been instrumental in supporting pre-clinical, first-in-human (FIH), and commercial cell therapy programs. She currently serves as Associate Director, Head of Formulation and Cryobiology in the Cell Therapy Development Organization at Bristol Myers Squibb.