The Biosciences Area is using science to solve energy, environmental, health, and biomanufacturing challenges. From early-career scientists to operations and support staff, it takes a diverse and dynamic team to make this type of science happen. Behind the Breakthroughs is a profile series that showcases the people who support our mission.
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Deepanwita Banerjee, Multi-faceted Modeler
Deepanwita Banerjee learned the value of reusing things at an early age. This perspective continues to influence her life: from her DIY dollhouse project to her research that’s recycling genes to build more sustainable products.
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Pier Matisse Roach, Event Entrepreneur
Pier Matisse Roach grew up around musical royalty. After playing a minor role in launching Queen B’s career, she transitioned to coaching a Nobel laureate at Berkeley Lab. As an administrator in the Biosciences Area Operations Office, she works to bring that red carpet feel to everything that she does.
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Julio Corral, Shepherd of Stuff
As the Property and Distribution Supervisor for the Integrative Genomics Building (IGB), Julio Corral is responsible for keeping track of physical items in the building and equipment that’s been sent out to employees working from home. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was reporting for work in-person, masked and ready for whatever challenges the day held.
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Agustin Avila Sakar, Cryo-EM Trailblazer
Agustin AvilaSakar has spent nearly his entire career learning about cryo-EM technology. Now, he’s tasked with planning the cryo-EM facility in the new BioEPIC building and understanding how it could help further the tenant groups’ breakthrough research.
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Pete Andeer, Robot Wrangler
For Pete Andeer, the idea to help solve some of our planet’s larger environmental issues came while he was living and working abroad. Now he’s on the team that’s building an all-in-one experimental robot station to understand the mechanics of plant and microbe interactions like never before.
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Leah Freeman Sloan, Administrative Acrobat
Maintaining balance and focus are key not only to Leah Freeman Sloan’s work as a program manager supporting the Joint BioEnergy Institute and Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Process Development Unit but also to her aerial silks practice.
