NCBiotech Summit Speakers
Dr. Alcorn is an experienced clinical chemist and molecular biologist with more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. He began his career at the University of North Carolina, where he focused on sexually transmitted diseases pathobiology and vaccine development. However, Dr. Alcorn has worked in a variety of healthcare sectors throughout his career, including reference laboratories, medical device manufacturing, medical software development, in vitro device development, and pharmaceutical development.
He has extensive experience in infectious diseases and served as the laboratory director at LabCorp’s Center for Molecular Biology and Pathology, where he developed advanced clinical assays and managed a laboratory that generated more than $50 million in revenue.
In addition, Dr. Alcorn was Director of Clinical Affairs at Janssen Diagnostic, Inc. and helped bring new diagnostics and software to the global market to support the launch of drugs for the treatment of HIV and HCV.
Dr. Alcorn has also overseen the development and global commercialization of medical devices, including a handheld ultrasound device and wearable sensors for monitoring ECG and patient vitals. He also served on the scientific advisory board for Roche Diagnostics for several years as well as for other diagnostic companies.
In addition, Dr. Alcorn has authored numerous publications, book chapters, and international clinical chemistry guidelines. Throughout the years, he has also gained significant experience in global reimbursement, health economics, and commercialization.
Moreover, he has experience in device and diagnostic regulations and is currently an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University’s graduate regulatory science department, where he teaches courses in IVD regulation and translational biotechnology.
Kelly Andrews is a native and lifelong resident of Pitt County. Entering her 20th year with Pitt County, she became the Director of Pitt County Economic Development in October 2020 after serving as Associate Director for 14 years.
Andrews serves on the Pitt Community College Board of Trustees, as well as other boards including the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce, Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, Pitt County Arts Council, and Downtown Greenville Partnership. In addition, she serves on the ECU Engineering Advisory Board, NCBiotech Center Economic Development Advisory Committee, and EDPNC Economic Development Advisory Council.
She was also a founding member of the BioPharma Crescent marketing consortium.
Dr. Clemens is a Professor of Physiology and neuroscientist at East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine. Trained in Germany, France, and the United States, his research focuses on the role of the spinal cord in Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and chronic pain, and his work bridges fundamental neuroscience with the development of new therapeutic approaches and techniques.
He is an inventor on multiple patents covering novel treatments for RLS and chronic pain, including approaches with the potential to reduce reliance on conventional opioid therapies. A Senior Member of the National Academy of Inventors, he works with academic, clinical, and industry partners in the United States and Europe to translate mechanistic discoveries into new treatments for neurological disorders.
Mayor P.J. Connelly is a committed public servant, devoted to fostering Greenville’s growth and upholding the community’s trust in the Mayor’s Office. Mayor Connelly joined the Greenville community in 2004 as a standout athlete on East Carolina University’s baseball team, earning his Finance degree in 2005. He went on to play professional baseball with the Los Angeles Angels before returning to Greenville in 2007 to launch a real estate business and establish his family.
Mayor Connelly began his public service as a volunteer on the City’s Planning & Zoning Commission, participating in planning and development discussions. In 2015, he was elected to the City Council as the representative for District 5, and in 2017, he was elected Mayor.
Alongside his role as Mayor, Connelly serves Greenville by participating on several regional boards and committees, including the Pitt-Greenville Chamber Board, East Carolina University Board of Visitors, Greenville Urban Area Metropolitan Organization (MPO), North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors, North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) Board of Directors, NCLM Mayors Association, and the NCLM Advancing Municipal Leaders Advisory Council.
Natalie Evans serves as the Career Development Coordinator at D.H. Conley High School in Greenville, N.C., where she helps students connect their education to meaningful career and postsecondary opportunities. She works closely with students to develop individualized career plans, explore options for life after graduation, and identify pathways that align with their interests, strengths, and goals.
A key part of her role is connecting students with work-based learning experiences, including internships that provide valuable exposure to professional environments and real-world career skills.
Natalie also assists students with researching careers, educational programs, training opportunities, and other post-graduation pathways. She is committed to helping students make informed decisions and leave high school with a clearer vision and practical plan for their future.
Since 1989, Jennifer has served as the executive director of the Wilson Economic Development Council and corporate secretary for Wilson County Properties, Inc.
She has attracted $7 billion in new investment and provided Wilson County $1.80 for every $1.00 received in funding.
In her roles, she is responsible for the development of 6000+ new industrial jobs, as well as three new corporate parks and two existing industrial parks.
Gerald and members of his team support the broader Thermo Fisher network by developing and implementing virtual reality (VR) content and AI-enabled capabilities. They leverage emerging technologies to enhance training, improve operational effectiveness, and create innovative solutions that deliver value across the organization.
Gerald graduated from East Carolina University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems. He has spent the past 26 years with Thermo Fisher Scientific, building a career focused on technology, innovation, and supporting teams across the organization.
Janis Gallagher serves as the County Manager for Pitt County Government. She assumed this role in 2022 after serving for 24 years in the Pitt County Legal Department. As both Legal Counsel and Manager, Janis has been a strong supporter of economic development, particularly in the area of life sciences.
Janis graduated from Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, NC, and Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA.
Micah Geiger is a Human Resources leader in the life sciences industry with expertise in talent strategy, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness.
A two-time graduate of East Carolina University, she partners with leaders to build high-performing teams, strengthen workplace culture, and support business growth in complex development and manufacturing environments.
Pete Goodridge serves as general manager for Johnson and Johnson’s Biotherapeutic Manufacturing Facility in Wilson, North Carolina, currently under construction. He assumed this role in the fall of 2024 and is responsible for
operational and business readiness for the facility as it comes online following the construction phase over the next few years.
Pete joined Johnson & Johnson 14 years ago, following service in the U.S. Army. At Johnson & Johnson, Pete has worked across synthetics and Biotherapeutics in supply chain and manufacturing roles, while living in multiple locations within the US and Europe.
Mike Muglia is the Interim Executive Director of the UNC Coastal Studies Institute on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He is a physical oceanographer involved in resource characterization and marine renewable energy development for more than a decade. He applies his knowledge and ocean experience to help teams develop marine renewable energy and desalination technologies on the North Carolina coast.
His interests include understanding variability in position and transport of western boundary currents, the confluence of different shelf water masses, shelf and deep-ocean exchange processes, meridional overturning circulation linkages between western boundary currents, and deep western boundary currents.
Sharon Paynter serves as East Carolina University’s senior vice provost for research and innovation and the university’s chief research officer. She has dedicated more than a decade to ECU in a variety of leadership roles, including assistant vice chancellor for economic and community engagement, acting chief research and engagement officer, interim chief research officer, and chief innovation and engagement officer.
During her appointments, Paynter helped secure major institutional distinctions, including ECU’s designation as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the renewal of its engaged status by the Carnegie Foundation.
Paynter holds a doctorate from North Carolina State University, completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Brown University, and earned master’s degrees from the University of Denver and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she also received her bachelor’s degree.
Dr. Michael Waldrum is chief executive officer (CEO) of ECU Health and dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. Waldrum is a specialist in critical care medicine and pulmonology and is trained in internal medicine. He has expertise in clinical effectiveness, information systems, and health care management in academic organizations.
Waldrum has significant expertise and experience managing the clinical operations of hospitals and clinics. Before coming to eastern North Carolina, he served as the president and CEO of The University of Arizona Health Network. Before that, he was the CEO of the University of Alabama Hospital at Birmingham (UAB) and vice president of the UAB Health System. He also served as chief operating officer and chief information officer of the UAB Health System.
Waldrum is a member of the CaroNova Board of Directors, the NC East Alliance Board of Directors, and the Greater Greenville Chamber Board of Directors. Waldrum also serves as the chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Board of Directors, where he has held board leadership positions since 2020.
Kiriayani's career in NC's pharmaceutical industry began through the NCGrads2Work program shortly after high school. Since joining Thermo Fisher Scientific, she has spent the last five years growing professionally, progressing from operator I to senior formulation technician to manufacturing scientist within Technical Services.
Kiriayani is passionate about supporting product quality, improving manufacturing operations, and continuously learning in a dynamic industry.