John Balchunas

John Balchunas is the Director of Workforce Development, working to catalyze biotechnology education and workforce development initiatives with academic and industry partners statewide. Through oversight of the Center’s Undergraduate Research Fellowship program and extensive thought leadership in developing biomanufacturing skill standards, John has gained tremendous insight into the recruitment, training, and professional development needs of the life science industry. In addition to working with North Carolina partners, he also frequently serves in an advisory capacity with biotechnology-related workforce initiatives across the globe.

Before joining the Center in 2003, John spent a number of years working as a technical writer in FDA-regulated companies large and small. John holds an Master of Science in Technical Communication and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from North Carolina State University.