About the PTRME
Our Ecosystem and Mission
At the heart of the Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine lies the mission to translate use-inspired research to manufacturable regenerative medicine technologies. Developing accessible, effective, and scalable technologies are fundamental to achieving this goal, as they enhance consistency, reduce variability, and improve the quality of regenerative medicine products.
Ecosystem Advancements
Standardization: By reducing reliance on custom-made or variable components, these technologies enable uniformity across applications, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Scalability: Innovations like modular bioreactors and universal media support the industrial-scale manufacturing of tissues and cells, ensuring regenerative medicine technologies can reach more people.
Sustainability: Animal-free and chemically defined solutions reduce ethical concerns and environmental impacts, aligning with global sustainability goals.
Mission Alignment
These advancements are pivotal in fulfilling our mission to lead the field by developing regenerative medicine technologies that not only push the boundaries of science but also create pathways for widespread adoption. By addressing critical bottlenecks in tissue engineering, we are building an ecosystem where breakthrough research translates into commercialization.
The PTRME Leadership Team
Tim Bertram, Phd
Chief Executive Officer
Jesse Thornburg, PhD
Chief Operations Officer
Karen Barnes
Ecosystem Development Officer
Anthony Atala, MD
Chief Innovation Officer
Stefanie Walling, MBA
Chief Communications Officer
Jessica Jones
External Evaluator
Josh Hunsberger
Chief Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement Officer
Del L. Ruff
Regional Engagement Lead
North Carolina A&T State University
Jill Keith, PhD
Regional Engagement
Co-Lead
Winston-Salem State University
Brenda Latham-Sadler, MD
Regional Engagement
Co-Lead
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Russ H. Read, MA
Workforce Development Co-Lead
National Center for the Biotechnology Workforce
Joan F. Schanck, MPA
Workforce Development Co-Lead
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Graça Almeida-Porada, MD, PhD
Research & Development Co-Lead
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Salil Desai, PhD
Research & Development Co-Lead
North Carolina A&T State University
Steven R. Bauer, PhD
Translational Lead
Bert Clayton, BS
Translation Co-Lead
Jana Stoudemire
In-Space Lead
Isaac Perry, MBA
Economic Development Officer
Innovation Quarter & Greater Winston-Salem, Inc
Tim Wright, MD
Entrepreneurial Officer
Julie Watson, JD
Legal / IP Officer
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Dr. Anthony Atala serves as the Director of Innovation for the NSF-PTRME and is the Founder and Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Atala is founding board member and equity holder in entities within the PTRME ecosystem, including Biorg, Caylyx, the Tygrus subsidiary Miracus, Plureon, and Precise Bio. He does not receive any compensation from these commercial entities.
Dr. Timothy A. Bertram serves as the CEO for the NSF-PTRME and is the Chief Economic Development Program Officer for the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Bertram serves as Chair of the MasKidney Board of Directors and is founder of ProKidney. He is an equity holder in both entities which are within the PTRME ecosystem. Dr. Bertram does not receive any compensation from these commercial entities.
Dr. Shay Soker serves as an investigator under the NSF-PTRME grant and is a Professor at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He is a founding board member and equity holder in several entities within the PTRME ecosystem, including Biorg and Precise Bio. Dr. Soker does not receive any compensation from these commercial entities.
Timothy R. Wright is a member of the PTRME team leadership team and has an appointment at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine as Portfolio Director. Mr. Wright is an equity holder, President and CEO of BIORG, a company within the PTRME ecosystem. He does not receive any compensation from this commercial entity.
Dr. James Yoo serves as an investigator under the NSF-PTRME grant and is a Professor at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Yoo is a founding member and equity holder of Biorg, an entity within the PTRME ecosystem. He does not receive any compensation from this commercial entity.