In her own words: I’m a biotech development consultant with a background that bridges biotech and finance. As an undergrad at Monmouth University, I spent four years researching harmful algal blooms under Dr. Jason Adolf. After earning my B.S. in Biology, I began consulting in pharmaceutical financing strategy and micro-cap IPO preparation for oncology biotech companies. Over time, I expanded into other sectors and industries; controlled environment agriculture, energy, security and defense, and environmental goods and services. ESG investing has been a priority throughout my career. While I gained valuable experience with financial institutions, I eventually shifted toward startups to pursue my passion for developing monetization pathways for climate-focused technologies. My work centers on translating science into compelling narratives for investors while ensuring compliance and connecting business with academia. I also support private investors by analyzing data through a scientific lens to guide decisions.
By coincidence, a client in my network was interested in seaweed aquaculture and climate-resilient infrastructure; a serendipitous intersection of my academic experience and professional niche. Without my research foundation, I wouldn’t have been able to step in and help move that business from concept to execution. That kind of work, diverse, meaningful, and self-directed, is what I find most rewarding. And yes, the travel and scuba diving in our quarry acquisitions are a big bonus.
Monmouth shaped who I am. My first-year seminar introduced me to climate science, and my research taught me how to communicate complex work, a crucial skill in investment settings where years of scientific discovery and innovation often comes down to a 15-minute pitch. My time at Cape Eleuthera Institute also strengthened my connections with the Ocean Research Education Foundation and other international collaborators I still value today.
To me, success is about finding hapiness. I entered Monmouth as a pre-med student; a noble pursuit, but I felt disenchanted because I truthfully was not as passionate about that career objective as other students were. I wanted a career that made me feel like it was my purpose. I was worried about financial stability too, but my professors helped me figure out what I was willing to work hard for. Once I leaned into my curiosity and found alignment with my path, the monetary rewards followed. In a sense, it was by accident that I cultivated my dream job. Every factor that led me towards it really traces back to Monmouth University. If I could do it all over again, I’d tell myself that fulfillment is the priority so I could savor that journey again.
