Our Team
Through our border-to-border initiative, we bring together teams from across the state to help our clients navigate the challenges and complexities of scaling and commercializing biotechnology.
CNAM-Bio Center Team
With extensive R&D leadership experience in academic and industrial organizations, David has led numerous academic-industrial partnerships involving the translation of lab-scale innovations to commercial-scale demonstration and technology transfer, including the coordination of large multi-disciplinary teams. His primary areas of technical expertise are process-structure-property relationships in polymers, biopolymers, composites and nanocomposites, with applications in transportation, construction, energy storage and defense.
Rajesh is an expert in extremophilic bioprocessing, and his group works on diverse research areas including biocatalysis, extremophiles, genome editing of bacteria, homo/heterologous expression of genes, metabolic engineering, space biology, and biomaterial synthesis. Rajesh’s group has isolated extremophile microbes from the deepest SURF mine to develop unique extremophilic bioprocesses under thermophilic conditions for different applications including biofuels, biopolymers, and other value-added products.
Tanvi specializes in applied environmental microbiology, consolidated bioprocessing, synthetic and systems biology of non-model microbes development, and downstream and upstream process development. She is currently spearheading pioneering R&D in cell-free manufacturing of microbial bioproducts, including the production of polymer precursors and specialty chemicals by this route.
Ankan supervises operations of the CNAM-Bio bioprocessing facility and focuses on the development and multi-step scale-up of sustainable, cost-competitive bioprocesses, including biorefinery systems with high waste valorization capacity. Wth expertise in developing fermentation systems targeting specific bioproducts, Ankan engages CNAM-Bio clients to design customized production routes and scale-up strategies for different microbe-substrate-bioproduct systems. Ankan coordinates activities with Dakota BioWorx, working seamlessly wth DBX engineers on infrastructure development and collaborative projects.
Krishnan brings comprehensive experience in polymer processing, including tailoring process conditions to meet the unique thermal and rheological behavior of diverse biopolymers and biopolymer-based composite systems. Krishnan’s areas of expertise include polymer extrusion, polymer compounding, composites manufacturing, systems design, and process scale-up. In addition, Krishnan works with Ankan Sinha and Dakota BioWorx engineers on developing bioprocessing infrastructure at the two facilities.
Providing integrated technoeconomic and life cycle analyses (TEA and LCA) is a key component to supporting bioprocessing and bioproduct development from laboratory research through to commercialization. Heidi has expertise in evaluating the sustainability of bio-products and their production systems using life cycle analysis. This includes developing life cycle inventories and evaluating the sustainability of feedstock production, supply chains, processing systems, product distribution, and waste disposal. Depending on project needs, Heidi collaborates with Greg Opdahl at Dakota BioWorx to provide combined TEA/LCA reports to clients.
Jeremy supports the research and development team by providing assistance to engineering design and fabrication of equipment. He is also involved in maintaining equipment and monitoring production processes.
Kristine Starmer provides administrative support for the CAPE Lab and CNAM-Bio.
Dakota BioWorx Team
Craig is a seasoned technology and innovation leader with a keen eye for identifying promising new research and driving business growth. With a proven background in pilot scale-up biotechnology, he specializes in partnering with innovators and visionaries to bring their new ideas to market. His expertise spans diverse sectors, from nanotechnology, biotechnology and commercialization of university technology, where he has demonstrated ability in navigating partnerships, investment channels, and processes. At Dakota BioWorx, Craig leverages his experience to harness groundbreaking concepts and propel them towards commercial viability, always keeping a sharp focus on delivering value to both clients, consumers, and investors.
Greg combines hands-on startup engineering experience in the fermentation industry with a graduate education from South Dakota School of Mines in chemical and biochemical engineering. As a result, he is gifted at guiding clients and collaborators through the early pilot stages of development, preparing both to enter the bio economy at full speed.
By applying principles of engineering to his foundational degree in biology from South Dakota Mines, Dan mixes disciplines with surprising results. His hands-on experience cultivating a variety of microorganisms with diverse growth requirements makes him an invaluable partner for clients as he works to transition their ideas from benchtop shaker flasks to full scale pilot runs.
501 East Saint Joseph Street
Rapid City, SD 57701