Science & Technology

Team Team Member

Samantha Riches

Samantha is responsible for leading the SciTech research funding team. Areas of expertise: research funding, global network building, program management

1. Science & Technology
2. Team Member

Team Team Member

Marcelo Aspiras

Marcelo manages collaborative partnerships with academic institutions to increase the size, diversity, and interconnectedness of the alternative protein scientific community. Areas of expertise: academic collaborations, industry partnerships, project management, functional foods, microbiology, scouting new technologies

1. Science & Technology
2. Team Member

Team Team Member

Nathan Ahlgrim

Nathan manages the Alt Protein Project, in which he empowers student groups around the globe to build the alternative protein field at their university. Areas of expertise: neuroscience, psychology, education, community-building, program operations

1. Science & Technology
2. Team Member

Team Team Member

Amanda Bess

Amanda leads SciTech's technical analyses and supports strategic planning of future research focused on the tractability and sustainability of alternative protein technologies. Areas of expertise: environmental science, critical analysis, program management, strategic planning

1. Science & Technology
2. Team Member

Team Expert

Lucas Eastham

Lucas Eastham is focused on analyzing fermentation technologies, and progressing their applications in the alternative protein industry. Areas of expertise: microbial biotechnology, upstream strain and process development, downstream process development, bioprocess product commercialization

1. Expert
2. Science & Technology
3. Team Member

Team Expert

Adam Leman, Ph.D.

Adam is focused on engineering a new paradigm in food production. Areas of expertise: microbial fermentation, precision fermentation, molecular biology

1. Expert
2. Science & Technology
3. Team Member

Team Team Member

Matt Hotze, Ph.D.

Matt Hotze serves as a leading learner who oversees operations of the Science & Technology Department; he identifies and removes roadblocks as the team builds out the ever-expanding map of alternative protein research. Areas of expertise: team building and leadership, nanotechnology, water treatment, scientific publishing, e-biking across Houston

1. Science & Technology
2. Team Member

Team Expert

Faraz Harsini, M.Sc., Ph.D.

Faraz analyzes how best to scale the cultivated meat industry and ensure that products can enter and grow in the marketplace as quickly as possible. Areas of expertise: biotechnology, cultivated meat, technical analysis and research

1. Expert
2. Science & Technology
3. Team Member

Team Team Member

Hanna Barlow

Hanna works with GFI’s university innovation team to support The Alt Protein Project. Areas of expertise: food systems, biology, community-building, curriculum development, improv and sketch comedy

1. Science & Technology
2. Team Member

Team Team Member

Asia Sheehab

Asia works with GFI’s university innovation team to support The Alt Protein Project. Areas of expertise: nutrition, biology, food policy, community-building, project management

1. Science & Technology
2. Team Member