ADVISORS  BOARD

BIJAN ALMASSIAN, PH.D.

Dr. Bijan Almassian is a co-founder, President and CEO of CaroGen Corporation. Prior to CaroGen, He served as President and CEO of ExSAR Corp, COO of Panacea Pharmaceuticals, and Vice President of Drug Development at Vion Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Almassian holds a MS and PhD from Northeastern University and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, respectively and was a NIH postdoctoral fellow at Boston University Medical School. He provides leadership in executing the Company’s business strategy and technical development. He is a Senior Pharmaceutical Executive with diverse experience in leading Biotechnology R&D Operations, Project and Alliance Management in startup and mid-size life science companies with an excellent track record of bringing new products through different phases of Research and Development. His strengths are medicinal chemistry including all aspects related to pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, product development, preclinical /clinical development and strategic planning and resourceful tactical management in product development, creation of operational infrastructure to support technology development, and leading multi-functional teams to develop products, build organizations and increase shareholder value.

LELI AFSAH-HEJRI, PH.D.

Dr. Leili Afsah-Hejri is a food scientist with more than 25 years of experience in academia, research, and the food industry. She has a Ph.D. in Food Safety and is passionate about using modern and innovative technologies to solve issues related to food contaminants. Her research includes non-invasive/non-destructive sensing and identification methods, environmentally friendly decontamination, and shelf-life extension techniques. In 2020, she received the Excellence in Research Award from the University of California Merced. Dr. Leili Afsah-Hejri has served on the scientific committee of several food conferences and was also a member of the Technical Review Committee for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), on their Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). She is currently the Program Director and an Assistant Professor of Food Safety and Quality at Lakeland University.

AHMADREZA KHOSROPOUR, PH.D.

Dr. Ahmadreza Khosropour is an esteemed organic and material chemist with over three decades of experience in academia, research, and the chemical industry. Holding a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, he is deeply dedicated to employing cutting-edge technologies to address a broad spectrum of challenges, including organic synthesis, catalysis, polymers, and nanomaterials. His diverse research spans multi-step organic compound synthesis with applications in pharmacology, groundbreaking work in scale-up flow chemistry, and the development of sustainable methodologies for biologically active compounds. In 2015, he embarked on a research journey in the laboratory of Nobel Prize laureate Professor E. J. Corey at Harvard University. Currently serving as a Senior Research Associate within Cornell University since 2020, Dr. Khosropour has taken on a supervisory role and explored innovative fields, such as covalent organic frameworks (COFs), resulting in the introduction of pioneering photocatalysts for organic transformations. Furthermore, he has made significant contributions to the development of high-performance materials engineered for the removal of toxic heavy metal ions and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from wastewater. Dr. Khosropour’s illustrious career reflects a profound commitment to advancing the frontiers of organic and material chemistry, and his passion for transformative research continues to drive his contributions to the field.

ADVISORY MISSION

Our mission is to serve as a dynamic and influential advisory board in the domains of Material Science, Biotechnology, and Fertilizer. Committed to advancing innovation, sustainability, and progress, we aim to provide strategic guidance and expert insights that empower researchers, industries, and stakeholders to shape the future of these interconnected fields.

With an unwavering dedication to knowledge exchange, collaboration, and informed decision-making, our advisory board seeks to:

Promote Cutting-Edge Research: Foster a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration, supporting groundbreaking research initiatives that drive transformative advancements in material science, biotechnology, and fertilizer technology.

Ensure Ethical and Sustainable Practices: Advocate for ethical and sustainable practices that enhance the well-being of individuals, communities, and the environment, while propelling technological advancements in a responsible manner.

Accelerate Innovation: Facilitate the exchange of ideas and expertise among academia, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs to catalyze innovation, foster technological breakthroughs, and enable the development of novel solutions.

Empower Education: Champion educational initiatives that nurture the next generation of scientists, engineers, and professionals, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in these rapidly evolving fields.

Inform Policy and Regulation: Collaborate with regulatory bodies and policymakers to contribute informed perspectives on the formulation of policies that guide safe and sustainable practices, ensuring a harmonious balance between innovation and public interest.

Drive Economic Growth: Provide strategic insights that enable industries to make informed investment decisions, resulting in the growth of vibrant and economically prosperous sectors.

Cultivate Global Networks: Foster international collaborations, partnerships, and networks that transcend borders, driving the exchange of knowledge and expertise on a global scale.

Respond to Emerging Challenges: Address emerging challenges by anticipating industry trends, identifying potential roadblocks, and offering adaptive solutions that foster resilience and progress.

Enhance Quality of Life: Strive to create positive societal impact by contributing to advancements that enhance the quality of life, from developing life-saving biotechnologies to sustainable material innovations that benefit society at large.

Our advisory board envisions a future where material science, biotechnology, and fertilizer innovations shape a more sustainable, interconnected, and prosperous world. By fulfilling our mission, we aspire to be at the forefront of positive change and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of these critical fields.