About - Capra Biosciences

Who We Are

We’re revolutionizing chemical production while creating a positive impact.

With our patented bioreactor technology, we’re creating the first bio-based chemicals that are not only affordable but transform byproducts and waste into valuable materials for humanity.

The Inspiration Behind the Idea

Watch: Capra Intro Video

Meet Our Team

We are building a team who shares our excitement about what’s possible when you bring together smart, creative talent and apply it to some of the biggest challenges we face today.

Elizabeth Onderko

Co-Founder & CEO

Bio

Elizabeth Onderko

Co-Founder & CEO

Liz has a Ph.D. in chemistry from Penn State University where she focused on the factors governing Cytochrome P450 catalysis – a critical enzyme in many natural product synthesis pathways. As a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the Naval Research Laboratory, Elizabeth invented the biofilm bioreactor being commercialized by Capra Biosciences, Inc.

Andrew Magyar

Co-Founder

Bio

Andrew Magyar

Co-Founder & CTO

Andrew has a Ph.D. in materials science from MIT, where he developed new bio-templated materials for photocatalytic water splitting. As a Harvard University postdoctoral fellow, he studied the chemical composition and optical properties of ommochrome-containing pigment granules from cuttlefish. Andrew previously served as principal scientist at Draper Laboratory where he led large teams and complex R&D projects.

Ahmad (Mo) Khalil

Advisor

Bio

Ahmad (Mo) Khalil

Advisor

Among his many achievements, BU Professor Mo Khalil invented “eVOLVER,” an open-source, flexible, and scalable continuous culture platform. An expert in synthetic biology, Mo is a great fit to advise on Capra’s innovative bioreactor technology.

Max Mankin

Advisor

Bio

Max Mankin

Advisor

Max Mankin, PhD, is the co-founder and CTO of Modern Electron, a Seattle-based start-up who aspires to generate cheap, modular, and reliable electricity for all. Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 selected Max in their Science Class of 2016 for his leadership role in Modern Electron.

Ryan Bing

Senior Metabolic Engineer

Bio

Ryan Bing

Senior Metabolic Engineer

Ryan has a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Purdue University. His doctorate research involved metabolic and fermentation engineering of extremely thermophilic, lignocellulosic bacteria for the production of renewable chemicals and fuels from plant biomass. Ryan has industrial experience across several industries including aerospace materials science, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. He is excited to leverage this experience at Capra to engineer non-model organisms to produce a range of valuable products.

Melissa Call

Biomanufacturing Technician

Bio

Melissa Call

Biomanufacturing Technician

Melissa is a recent graduate from George Mason University with a Bachelors in Biology. She brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of knowledge to the team. Whether delving into complex concepts or conducting hands-on research, her attention to detail ensures the accuracy and excellence of her work. Eager to apply her academic training, Melissa has joined Capra Biosciences with a focus on leveraging her passion for biology to contribute to the team’s success.

Ryan Granché

Biotechnology Engineer and Analyst

Bio

Ryan Granché

Biotechnology Engineer and Analyst

Ryan has a Masters in Translational Medicine from the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, San Francisco. Ryan holds a Bachelor’s in Biotechnology from James Madison University. His masters degree encompassed engineering, business, intellectual property, regulation and the life sciences to translate basic research into applied solutions for problems in medicine. Ryan intends to expand his translational skill to tackle sustainability challenges, leveraging both of his degrees in sciences and business, to support Capra’s mission.

Bonnie Harper

Biochemist

Bio

Bonnie Harper

Biochemist

Bonnie has a Master’s Degree in biochemistry from George Mason University. Like Capra, Bonnie’s experience spans biology and chemistry. She started her career studying synthetic organic chemistry before transitioning to biochemistry at George Mason where she researched mass spec peptidomics. At Capra, Bonnie applies biology to perform complex synthetic organic chemistry – all inside our microorganism.

Jenny Manuel-White

Chemist

Bio

Jenny Manuel-White

Chemist

Jenny graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a concentration in Biochemistry. Jenny began her career by analyzing hydrogen and oxygen isotopic concentrations in water at the US Geological Survey, then transitioned into the field of formulation chemistry, where she formulated paint resin for roadways.

At Capra, Jenny is excited to apply her breadth of chemistry and biochemistry knowledge to help engineer and maintain Capra’s novel bioreactor.

Stephanie Molina

Synthetic Biologist

Bio

Stephanie Molina

Synthetic Biologist

Stephanie has a Master’s Degree in microbiology and immunology from Georgetown University. Stephanie served on the front lines of the COVID pandemic, working as a diagnostics lab VALOR intern at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Stephanie’s Georgetown research included the study of woodchucks to better understand human infection. Stephanie is excited to apply her breadth of microbiology knowledge to help engineer Capra’s non-model organism to efficiently produce a wide array of useful chemicals!

Mark Poole

Dir of Research and Development

Bio

Mark Poole

Director of Research and Development

Mark Poole has a Ph.D. in biological engineering and environmental engineering from at North Carolina State University where he applied advanced synthetic biology techniques to engineer challenging non-model organisms. With an undergraduate degree in aerospace engineering and previous experience building custom bioreactor systems, Mark embodies the multidisciplinary ethos for which Capra Biosciences strives. Mark also has unique experience with both biofilms and entrepreneurship – he and his mother founded a Kombucha business in Cary, NC called IngeuiTea Brews.

Eli Tsao

Biomanufacturing Technician

Bio

Eli Tsao

Biomanufacturing Technician

Eli has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Irvine, where his research projects included studying biomechanics to assist with spinal cord injury rehabilitation and electromechanical microsystems to be used in artificial muscle. Eli applies his engineering experience and knowledge to help build, test, and operate Capra’s bioreactors.

Julia Leonard

Senior Scientist

Bio

Julia Leonard

Senior Scientist

Julia has a Ph.D. in bioengineering from George Mason University and a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, focusing on biomaterials. During her academic career, Julia focused on building cell tissue models and characterizing cell behavior via transcriptomics and proteomics. She is excited to use her skills at Capra to help the team optimize product commercialization.

Amara Samoura

Biomanufacturing Technician

Bio

Amara Samoura

Biomanufacturing Technician

Amara is a recent graduate from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor’s in Bioprocessing. He adds a fresh perspective and a deep understanding of biotechnological processes to our team. With a passion for hands-on research, he is excited to apply his academic insights to our downstream processing operations. Amara utilizes his bioengineering knowledge to contribute to Capra’s mission and team success.

We Are Growing

Join Our Team

We believe innovation occurs at the intersection of engineering, biology, chemistry, and materials science. After all, we created Capra through the intersection of disciplines.

Capra’s core values of respect, innovation, and accountability drive our belief that the more diverse our life experiences and world perspective, the stronger our team. We are committed to building a diverse team and an inclusive environment where all employees belong. Women, people of color, gender-expansive individuals, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

Current Openings

Capra always seeks innovative people excited to work at the interface of biology and hardware engineering.

To learn more, email hr@caprabiosciences.com

Full-time opportunities at Capra Biosciences come with:

Competitive salary
Benefits package that includes company stock options and employee + dependent medical, dental, and vision healthcare coverage
15 paid vacation days and 10 paid holidays per year

We’d love to explore how Capra Biosciences can support your needs or current product line.