Our Researchers & Scientists

Just - Evotec Biologics

Step into the world of Just-Evotec Biologics, where our researchers and scientists take center stage. Uncover the realm of revolutionary biologics, where expertise converges with innovation to drive transformative progress. Meet the minds shaping the evolution of biopharmaceuticals and discover their remarkable contributions that define the future.

Meet Our Colleagues From Just - Evotec Biologics

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Angela Sweet

​Technical Writer for Just – Evotec Biologics

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Latest update: October 2023

Biography


Angela Sweet is a dedicated Technical Writer at Just - Evotec Biologics, with a remarkable 20-year background in quality-focused roles within Process Development and Process Sciences teams. Her expertise encompasses mammalian bioreactor process development and autologous cellular immunotherapy process optimization. Having transitioned to the Quality organization two years ago, Angela has become a valuable cross-functional resource for creating and revising technical documents. With an eye for detail and a methodical approach, she collaborates with document owners, reviewers, and subject matter experts to ensure smooth document workflows. Angela's role also involves crafting foundational documents and templates to enhance readability and usability.


Working at Just - Evotec Biologics, Angela embraces the company's mission and values, feeling appreciated for her contributions to the organization's global impact in advancing biotechnology for widespread access to biotherapeutics. As a customer, partnering with Just - Evotec Biologics offers a unique experience of witnessing the production of their products from a fresh perspective, while benefiting from the commitment and dedication of the company's driven team.


Interest and Experience


In her work, Angela excels when granted the liberty to delve into intricate details and the flexibility to see her processes through to completion. Her creativity shines when adapting communication to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders, ensuring seamless collaboration and understanding. Outside of her professional endeavors, Angela finds enjoyment in simple pleasures, such as unwinding by the water, attending concerts, and indulging in good food. Cooking and baking, though a modest pursuit, bring her a sense of satisfaction, particularly when relishing the delicious results.

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Chaz Goodwine

​Senior Scientist I

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Latest update: October 2023

Biography


Chaz Goodwine is a Senior Scientist I based in Seattle at Just - Evotec Biologics, playing a vital role in the Purification Process Development team since May 2022. As a senior staff member, he guides the group, oversees direct reports, and serves as the Purification Lead for client projects. Within his area of expertise, Chaz focuses on developing small-scale downstream processing steps, enabling smooth transfer to the manufacturing team for large-scale drug substance production. His work encompasses chromatographic purification, viral inactivation, and various filtration techniques, all aimed at developing cost-effective purification processes using high throughput and platform methods to drive down development costs. Chaz finds great satisfaction in working within a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) environment, where he can collaborate with a diverse range of products and applications, embracing Evotec's mindset of continuous innovation and improvement across all departments and levels. By choosing Evotec, customers benefit from cutting-edge bioprocessing technologies that break through traditional industry barriers, driving efficiency and effectiveness throughout every stage of their bioprocessing platform.


Interest and Experience


Chaz excels in thinking and processing data in a neat and tidy space, allowing him to draw meaningful relationships between complex datasets. He finds Evotec's data systems valuable in facilitating his creativity, making handling large datasets simpler. Privately, Chaz has a passion for board games, finding joy in connecting with friends through digital versions while traveling. Additionally, he actively participates in a recreational LGBT Kickball league, even helping to run it and engage in travel tournaments.

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Cristina Loomis PhD

​Principal Scientist Antibody Discovery

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Latest update: April 2024

Biography


Cristina Loomis is an experienced immunologist with a remarkable 17-year biopharmaceutical industry background, specializing in antibody therapeutics discovery and early development. She holds a Ph.D. in immunology from McGill University and has contributed to biologics development across various therapeutic areas, including oncology, migraine, and infectious diseases. As Principal Scientist in Antibody Discovery at Just-Evotec Biologics, Cristina plays a pivotal role in screening and characterizing AI-derived antibodies (J.HAL®) and conducting antibody discovery campaigns. Her expertise encompasses leading the Bioassay group, implementing automation for high throughput, and driving technology development projects. Embracing a mission-driven environment, Cristina cherishes the collaborative and innovative spirit of Evotec, working alongside talented scientists committed to providing life-changing treatments worldwide.


Interests  and Expertise


Her creativity and productivity thrive in cross-functional team settings, where exposure to diverse scientific areas and technologies sparks innovative ideas and problem-solving approaches. She very much appreciates the company's culture that fosters open dialogue, collaborative exchanges and teamwork. Privately, Cristina is an advocate for tolerance, inclusion, and supporting immigrant communities, given her own immigrant background. Together with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) team at Just-Evotec Biologics, she works towards outreach and mentorship. During her free time, Cristina finds joy in hiking, exploring the picturesque trails of the Pacific Northwest, and recently embarked on a memorable hiking adventure in Sedona, Arizona.

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Josh Smith

​Principal Scientist, Data Science

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Latest update: October 2023

Biography


Josh Smith, a dedicated Principal Scientist at Just-Evotec Biologics, plays an integral role in the Data Science team, where he contributes to the development of tools for optimizing data analysis and implementing machine learning technologies. Collaborating with various functional groups, Josh assists in planning data capture methods and creating python web applications for automated analysis and visualization. His expertise involves curating datasets and training models to support molecule discovery and design.


Within Just-Evotec Biologics, Josh's work has an immediate impact on scientists, empowering them with computational tools to enhance efficiency. Their collaborations with partners contribute to delivering life-changing therapeutics. Motivated by the passionate community of scientists at Just-Evotec Biologics and the opportunity to make a positive impact on the biologics industry, Josh remains committed to the organization. With a location near his family, he finds purpose and fulfillment in the work he does.


For Evotec's customers, working with Josh and the highly capable team at Just-Evotec ensures efficient project execution, transparent communication, and a shared commitment to advancing biologics and improving patients' lives.


Interest and Experience


Josh is driven by diverse interests outside of work. From gardening and maintaining freshwater aquariums to enjoying snowboarding in winter and wake surfing in summer, he finds fulfillment in various hobbies. Professionally, Josh's best thinking happens with solitude and a cup of coffee, allowing him to delve deep into his work. However, he also thrives on the sparks of creativity that arise during whiteboarding sessions and casual conversations with colleagues. Embracing hybrid remote work, he strikes a satisfying balance between both settings, contributing to his effectiveness and success in the company.

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Susan Essilfie

Director, Technical Operation, Tech Transfer/NPI

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Latest update: October 2023

Biography


Susan is the Director of Technical Operation, Tech Transfer/NPI at Just Evotec Biologics. With a background in Chemical engineering, she stumbled into the biotech industry with a strong desire to contribute indirectly to healthcare. Over her 18-year career in biopharma, Susan has worked across upstream development, pilot scale, and manufacturing. She is passionate about discovering and implementing new technologies, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and leading teams. In her current role, Susan leads the Tech Transfer and NPI team in Redmond, focusing on project leadership for early and late-stage molecule process transfer and tech transfer for biologics manufacturing. Her team plays a crucial role in translating process requirements into executable GMP manufacturing processes and providing technical support during manufacturing operations. Susan is motivated by the direct impact her work has on patients, especially in increasing access to biologics worldwide, particularly in collaboration with government and non-profit foundations to combat endemic diseases. At Evotec, Susan is driven by the people, technology, and the potential of continuous manufacturing to transform access to biologics globally.



Interest and Experience


Susan's interests outside of work include spending quality time with her family, cooking, and gardening. She finds her best thinking occurs in distraction-free moments, where she can read, reflect on a topic, or jot down her thoughts as they come. Susan's creativity thrives in a work environment that promotes openness, inclusivity, experimentation, and diversity of ideas. She embraces risk-taking and believes in learning from failures to foster innovation and growth.

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Dr Zahia Hannas

​VP Process & Product Design

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Latest update: March 2024

Biography


Dr. Zahia Hannas is an accomplished scientist and entrepreneur with a remarkable career spanning over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry and 10 years in academic research. Armed with degrees in both Business (Executive MBA) and Science (PhD in Biology), she has been a catalyst for innovation in biologics development and manufacturing across three continents. With a passion for healthcare and justice, Zahia has dedicated her life's work to improving access to life-changing medicines for patients worldwide, a vision she instills in her three children, who are also actively involved in healthcare.


Throughout her career, Zahia has demonstrated exceptional leadership in process development, driving molecules from bench to commercial success. As the VP of Process and Product Design at Just - Evotec Biologics, she oversees a diverse team of experts, optimizing upstream bioreactor processes, downstream purification, analytical method development, product characterization, and formulation development. Her strategic approach has led to improved processes and product development, making a significant impact on patient care.


Driven by the mission of Just - Evotec Biologics, Zahia and her team place patients at the core of their work. Collaborating closely with internal and external partners, they adopt a one-health vision to discover and develop highly effective therapeutics while ensuring patient access to affordable healthcare through the Intensified Continuous Biomanufacturing platform.


Joining Evotec brought Zahia the realization that she could truly make a difference, not only in the lives of patients but also in the lives of the people at Evotec. Embracing Evotec's innovative business model, she values the camaraderie within the organization, eagerly sharing her knowledge and learning from her talented teams. For customers, working with Evotec guarantees time-to-market efficiency, cost-effectiveness, high-quality medicines, reliability, innovation, agility, and access to a pool of expertise and competencies that are paramount in delivering successful outcomes.


Interest and Experience


With a profound commitment to science and two decades of experience, Dr. Zahia Hannas has excelled in leading teams and contributing to medicine accessibility in developing countries. Her passion for connecting people and enhancing health outcomes drives her work at Just - Evotec Biologics, where she serves as the VP of Process and Product Design. In her private time, Zahia enjoys painting and cherishes quality moments with her grown-up children and family. Her dedication to parenting and her belief in the power of collaboration and diversity create a safe space for innovative drug discovery and creativity in her work environment.

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