Maria Rapoza, Ph.D.
Maria Rapoza's program is responsible for strengthening the research infrastructure of North Carolina's academic and not-for-profit institutions through the North Carolina Biotechnology Center's grant programs and intellectual exchange groups.
Rapoza previously worked with Kathleen Kennedy, of the Biotechnology Center's Education and Training Program, on work force training initiatives.
Prior to joining the Biotechnology Center, Rapoza spent time in industry, serving in various positions at both a late-stage genomics company and in the biotechnology division of an education supply company.
Rapoza did her post-doctoral work at the Durham VA Medical Center in neuroscience, received her doctoral degree from Duke University in biochemistry and earned a chemistry degree from the University of South Alabama. Her research areas have included peripheral nerve regeneration, bacteriophage assembly, membrane protein localization and molecular biology.
Rapoza also has experience in human genetic variations implicated in pharmacogenetic effects and disease susceptibility.
