Alumni Society
The Eberly College of Science’s Alumni Society is an advocacy group committed to the college’s success. Through participation either in a leadership role or on a committee, members are giving the opportunity to utilize their talents for the benefit of the alumni society and enhance the quality of science education at Penn State by providing advice and support to administrators, faculty, students, and alumni.
Our vision is to create a vibrant, engaged community of current and future Eberly College of Science alumni working together to support the goals of the college and University.
Our mission is to strengthen the Eberly College of Science community by leveraging the diverse personal and professional experience of our board and our alumni network.
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Alumni Society Board Executive Committee
B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State - 1998
Lori served as the Vice President of Sales, Specialty Lab Solutions at Siemens Healthineers from 2020 - 2024, where she drove sales for the US Laboratory Diagnostics Specialty testing business. Prior to Siemens Healthineers, she was Director of New Systems Marketing and Business Development at ZEUS Scientific where she was responsible for commercialization strategies for infectious disease and autoimmune products. Before ZEUS, Lori held various roles of increasing responsibility over 17 years of service at Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, formerly a Johnson & Johnson company. Lori held roles in sales, marketing, training and operations for diagnostic solutions ranging from basic chemistry assays to infectious disease serology assays used in clinical laboratories and transfusion medicine.
In addition to her Penn State degree, Laurie also has an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She enjoys giving back through career coaching and mentoring. She considers her biggest achievement as being a mom to her three children: Emily, Eric and Eliana (future Nittany Lions, if Lori gets her way). Her other interests include cooking, gardening and classic cars.
Sales Director, Peergenics
B.S. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Penn State - 2015
Liana works as a sales director for a salesforce consultancy firm, assisting clients as they look to build and expand their businesses. Peergenics provides its customers with implementations, projects, trainings, and managed services to increase visibility, accountability, and profitability. Prior to Peergenics, Liana sold mobile device management security solutions for IBM.
During her time at Penn State, Liana presided over the Association of Residence Hall Students, researched in Dr. Timothy Jegla's neuroscience lab, sang in an a cappella group, participated in Science LionPride, and studied abroad in Seville, Spain.
Liana serves on the Executive Board of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association with her husband, who is also a Nittany Lion. She previously served two elected terms on the Penn State Alumni Association Alumni Council. In her free time, Liana enjoys making homemade soap, watching Penn State football, traveling, and exploring Philadelphia with her dog, Moose.
Director for Animal Welfare External Due Diligence, GSK
B.S. Biology, Penn State – 1993
D.V.M. Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University – 1998
M.P.H. Toxicology, Columbia University - 2005
Prior to her current role as Director for Animal Welfare External Due Diligence for GSK, she commissioned and managed 37,000 square feet of multi-species vivarium for academic research for Columbia University in the Manhattanville neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. Prior to that, she served as the director of enrichment and behavioral medicine for Charles River Laboratories, harmonizing environmental enrichment practices and developing behavioral husbandry programs to enhance animal welfare and operational efficiency. In this role, she garnered an international reputation as a behavior and enrichment expert in the laboratory animal medicine field, led research to provide evidence-based data for enrichment and behavioral management initiatives, and published in the field of laboratory animal enrichment and behavior management multiple species.
Winnie earned her DVM from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed an internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. She completed both a residency in laboratory animal medicine and earned a master’s in public health with a focus on toxicology at Columbia University in New York. She earned her Six Sigma Black Belt from Six Sigma Academy in 2011.
Alumni Society Board Members
Executive Director, Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) – US Corp. and Healthcare, Lenovo
B.S. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Penn State – 1998
On July 1st, 2020, Paul was named Executive Director of Lenovo’s Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) US Corporate Business having previously run the VAR and Distributor business in NA for DCG. In addition, Paul recently took over US Public Sector in the beginning of January 2021.
After graduating Penn State University in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (BMB), Paul worked at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) conducting Colorectal Cancer Research and publishing several times with Dr. J. Milburn Jessup, MD. and his team. During this time, Paul completed Computer Engineering Hardware and Software Design Courses at University of Pittsburgh.
In 2000, Paul joined IBMs PC/Server Division in Atlanta as an Inside Sales Representative. Paul quickly progressed on the inside sales team and moved to Field Sales in 2002 in NY Metro. In 2005, IBM PC Division was acquired by Lenovo. Paul held various positions for Lenovo in NY from Enterprise Sales Rep to Global Account Executive.
Paul and his wife moved to London, UK in 2008 where Paul stayed with Lenovo and was responsible for the EMEA Telco business. In addition to PCs, Paul covered Business Development for Android Tablets, Android Phones, Telco as a Channel and Data Center.
In 2015, Paul and his wife moved back to NYC where they still reside, staying with Lenovo once again, to lead a team as Director of National Channel Partners.
Paul enjoys mentoring and giving back in various ways including volunteering, philanthropic work, etc. He joined the Penn State Eberly College of Science Alumni Board in May 2019. In addition, Paul loves playing sports (soccer, tennis, golf, skiing, etc.) and watching sports (All Pittsburgh Teams, All Penn State teams and Manchester United FC).
Director of Research Operations & Professional Development, Center for Nanoscale Science, Penn State
B.A. Chemistry, College of the Holy Cross – 2011
Ph.D. Chemistry, Penn State – 2016
Sarah joined the Materials Science Research and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at Penn State in July 2022 focused on education and outreach and has since shifted to operations and project management. She manages the research operations and professional development portfolio of a large materials research grant that consists of roughly 20 faculty and 35 graduate students and postdocs. She is passionate about providing equitable access to STEM education and encouraging the next generation of scientists.
Prior to returning to PSU, she worked at the German chemical company, BASF, where she held a variety of positions across the U.S., including the Ph.D. Leadership Development Program where she rotated through Product Development in Construction Systems (developing and scaling up low-dust production of cementitious mortars and grouts), Incubation and Scouting in BASF’s Northeast Research Alliance (fostering academic collaborations with BASF businesses), and as a Research Scientist in 3D Printing Solutions (increasing suspension stability for ceramic photoresins).
Sarah earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Penn State in 2016 in the Keating Lab. Her graduate work focused on utilizing nanowire assembly techniques to develop reconfigurable materials with switchable optical properties. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys cycling, skiing, golf, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog Dottie.
Managing Director, Accenture
B.S. Mathematics, Penn State – 1986
B.S. Computer Science, Penn State – 1986
M.A. Mathematics, Penn State - 1986
After graduating from Penn State, Amy has spent over 35 years working in Information Technology. She was a leader for many years at IBM and Kyndryl, and joined Accenture in 2021 as a Managing Director in technology. Throughout her career, she has supported clients across multiple industries, leading cloud and data center migration and transformation programs, enabling large scale delivery of managed services, and leading engineering teams as they create new capabilities for clients through use of technology.
Amy grew up on a dairy farm in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania. Her father was a Penn Stater and instilled the love of Penn State early in her life. Amy and her husband, Paul, currently split their time between homes in State College and Windermere, Florida, enjoying free time with family and friends and their five children and four grandchildren. Their son graduated from Penn State in 2021 with degrees in Mathematics and Economics, and their daughter graduated in 2023 with a degree in Animal Science and is attending vet school at LSU.
Amy is an advocate for women in technology and is passionate about bringing talent into the industry. She participated on the IBM Women’s Executive Council for diversity and inclusion, with focus on Allyship. She also is a volunteer and mentor for Special Olympics.
Retired (Executive Director, Clinical R&D, Pfizer, Inc.)
B.S. Microbiology, Penn State - 1983
M.S. College of Life Science and Agriculture, University of New Hampshire - 1985
Ph.D. College of Life Science and Agriculture, University of New Hampshire - 1988
Certificate in Project Management, Penn State Great Valley - 1991
Rob is retired after 29 years in pharmaceutical research and development, where he led multiple global multidisciplinary drug development teams for both biopharmaceuticals and small molecules targeting diseases in autoimmunity, inflammation, oncology and transplantation. Throughout his career, he negotiated, chartered and led numerous development partnerships and alliances. Rob’s career has involved leadership roles at SmithKline Beecham, Lilly, Wyeth and lastly with Pfizer.
Rob graduated from Penn State in 1983 with a dual major in Microbiology and Animal Bioscience. Subsequently, he attended the University of New Hampshire where he received M.S. and Ph.D degrees from the College of Life Science and Agriculture while studying genetic control of the immune response to the avian coccidium, Eimeria tenella. During 1990/91 Rob completed a certificate program in Project Management offered by Penn State Great Valley.
During his time at Penn State he played sousaphone for the Blue Band. During Graduate school, Rob chartered the Penn State Alumni Chapter for Maine-New Hampshire and served as its president. Subsequently, he served as the president for the Penn State Alumni Chapter for Chester County. In retirement, Rob is a member of the Sons of Union Civil War Veterans where he currently serves as Commander of Baker-Fisher Camp 101. Rob also plays tuba for the Tri-County Band in Feasterville, PA, the Delaware Valley University Symphonic Band in Doylestown, PA, and the 28th Pennsylvania Regimental Brass Band.
Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician - Centre Emergency Medical Associates (CEMA)
B.S. Biology, Penn State – 2008
B.S. Spanish, Penn State – 2008
B.S. International Studies, Penn State – 2008
M.D. Penn State College of Medicine – 2014
Kyle serves as an emergency medicine physician in State College at Mount Nittany Medical Center with over 10 years of post-graduate clinical experience. As an undergraduate, he was a photographer for the Daily Collegian and captain of the men’s club cross country team. During medical school, he was a Global Health Scholar, spending two separate periods in Ecuador after having lived briefly in both Colombia and Spain. He also served as the AAMC student representative, class president, and literary editor of Wild Onions, a student run humanities publication.
After graduating from medical school, he continued his training at the University of Texas at Houston in emergency medicine where he again participated in global health as Vice Chair of Global Health. He spent a full month abroad at Bach Mai Hospital in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Kyle returned to the State College area where he continues to practice. He teaches resident and student physicians and takes on undergraduate students to shadow in the emergency department. He serves on the Medical Executive Committee of Mount Nittany Health, where he is involved in discussing issues ranging from patient care to operations.
Kyle lives locally with his wife, two children, and two lovable dogs. An avid traveler, he has visited 46 states and 43 countries spanning four continents. While he loves Penn State sports, he is a die-hard Philadelphia Eagles fan.
Owner, Marron MagnaWave LLC
Retired (Director, Compliance Officer, Merck & Co., Inc.)
B.S. Biology, Penn State - 1987
M.S. Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs, Temple University - 1996
Donna has over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and recently retired from her role as the Ethics & Compliance Officer responsible for supporting several departments in Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), including clinical research, regulatory affairs, and outcomes research, as well as managing the MRL Ethics & Compliance Assessments team. In this role, Donna partnered with her client groups to define and implement compliance policies, monitor and assess risk, advise and recommend actions for improvements, and identify solutions while maintaining an independent view into MRL operations.
Donna joined Merck in 1989 as a Pathology Biologist, moved on to Adverse Experience Reporting and Worldwide Product Labeling, supporting a broad range of products, before moving into a research compliance role. Prior to joining Merck, Donna worked as a Research Assistant in the Anatomy department at Temple School of Medicine and as a Pathology Research Assistant at Rorer Pharmaceuticals. While at Merck, she also served as an Adjunct Professor the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs master’s program at Temple University.
Donna, her husband, and their two daughters are Life Members of the Penn State Alumni Association and Donna has been actively involved as a mentor in the Eberly Alumni Mentoring Program and the Fast Start Program. Donna lives in Harleysville, Pennsylvania with her family, including four horses, a dog, and a cat. She has been an avid horsewoman for over 40 years and is currently pursuing her passion helping horses through body work (currently enrolled as a student at the Vluggen Institute for Equine Osteopathy) and as a certified practitioner in pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) modalities.
Assistant Professor, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
B.S. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Penn State – 2009
Ph.D. Pharmacology & Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine – 2016
After graduating from Penn State, Linde Miles went on to receive her Ph.D. in Pharmacology & Molecular Sciences from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2016. In 2017, she began a postdoctoral fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, focusing on the underlying biology of acute myeloid leukemia. Afterward, she joined the faculty at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center as an Assistant Professor in the Experimental Hematology & Cancer Biology Division. Her research continues to focus on the evolution and development of acute myeloid leukemia. With over 16 years of research experience, Linde has contributed to multiple landmark translational studies and received numerous awards and fellowships for her research achievements.
Linde is extremely dedicated to volunteering her spare time to Penn State. Since 2015, she has been involved in her local Penn State Alumni Association NYC Chapter. She currently serves as co-leader of the PSAA NYC Chapter Advisory Board after 7 years serving on the Chapter Executive Board. Linde is also an active member of the Greater Cincinnati Chapter and was recently voted onto the Penn State Alumni Association Alumni Council. She also serves as a mentor to students interested in STEM careers through the Eberly College Mentoring Program.
Linde is an avid runner, enthusiastic Penn State sports fan, and life member of the Penn State Alumni Association. Linde is a native of Huntingdon, PA and currently lives in Cincinnati, OH with her husband, Cary.
Senior Program Manager, TekSynap
B.S. Science, Penn State - 1983
Ryan Poole is a senior program manager for TekSynap, a Federal Government Information Technology service provider in Reston, VA. Prior to his role with TekSynap, Ryan served as program manager at Acuity, a management and technology consulting firm. Throughout his career, Ryan has also supported a wide variety of federal organizations with his expertise in program/project management, IT service management, IT operations, and business intelligence.
As a Penn State undergrad, Ryan was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and was a writer for The Collegian. Ryan is a proud alum of the Eberly College of Science as well as Loyola College, where he received a Master of Engineering Science and an MBA. A native of Madison, New Jersey, Ryan lives in Leesburg, Virginia.
VP of Technology Development, TMNA Services, LLC
B.S. Mathematics, Penn State - 1988
Andy Santacroce is Vice President of Technology for Tokio Marine North America Services (TMNAS). He leads an interdisciplinary team at TMNAS that identifies and develops differentiating technology to engage commercial insurance customers, empower team members, and provide a uniquely positive insurance experience across its national footprint. Prior to joining TMNAS in 2016, he served as the Deputy Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Global Applications & Digital Products at BDP International in Philadelphia. He has held key leadership positions at the Verizon companies, Cable & Wireless, SmithKline Beecham, PECO Energy, The PMA Group and Prudential Insurance. He serves on the Board of Directors for Encore Series, Inc. (The Philly POPS) since 2012, the Board of Directors for Cradles to Crayons since early 2019, and on the Executive Board of the Penn State Alumni Association for several years. He has also served as a director on several other non-profit, governmental and quasigovernmental boards and is actively engaged as an Advisor for key technology incubators. In 2016 he received industry recognition as a Premier 100 Technology Leader by Computerworld Magazine and as an Alumni Fellow by Penn State University.
Retired (Managing Director and General Manager, Abbvie)
B.S. Science, Penn State - 1988
M.B.A. University of Michigan - 1992
Bonnie is a retired sales and marketing executive with over 25 years of U.S. and international healthcare industry experience. She worked for Abbvie/Abbott Laboratories in Chicago for over 25 years and upon retirement, she was director of market access for Allergan Integration. She led the integration of the market access function, which included identifying synergies and overseeing multiple workstreams. Additionally, Bonnie lived and worked outside the U.S. when she served as managing director and country general manager for Abbott in the Republic of Ireland and in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
In addition to serving on the Eberly Alumni Society Board, she also serves on the Lion’s Paw Alumni Association Board of Trustees, which promotes the welfare and perpetuates the traditions of the University. She was also recently elected to serve on the board of trustees of her local public library.
In addition to her Penn State degree, she also has an MBA in Marketing and International Business from the University of Michigan and will soon complete a Masters in Public Health at Loyola University of Chicago. Bonnie lives in the Chicago area with her husband, John. They have three children, one of whom is a 2020 Penn State graduate with a B.S. in Health Policy and Administration.
Dentist, Dale F. Spadafora DMD
B.S. Biology, Penn State - 1986
D.M.D. University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine - 1990
After Dale received his Biology degree from Penn State, he went on to the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and received his Doctorate in Dental Medicine in 1990. He completed his residency at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio and immediately opened his own dental practice in Hermitage, Pennsylvania, which he still runs today.
Dale is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, the Pennsylvania Academy of General Dentistry, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation.
Currently Dale is President Elect with the Pennsylvania Academy of General Dentistry. He also lectures on full arch dental implantology for Stabiliteeth Inc.
In his free time, Dale volunteers for his church and community. He has served as a youth and high school soccer coach since 2002. Dale’s wife, Deanna, is also a graduate of Penn State, with a 1989 B.S. in Nursing. His daughter, Isabella, graduated from Penn State in 2019 with a degree in Advertising/Public Relations and his son, Sergio, is a current student at Penn State, majoring in Biology.
Dentist, Laurie Anne Stanell, D.M.D., P.C.
B.S. Biology, Penn State - 1980
D.M.D. Temple University - 1985
Laurie was born into a Penn State family. Her parents both graduated from Penn State with Science degrees. After Laurie graduated from Penn State, she took a gap year and worked as a research assistant at Rohm and Haas Company in Bristol, Pennsylvania. She also taught Advanced Chemistry at her local high school for a semester. Both her brothers followed her lead and also graduated from Penn State.
Laurie graduated from Temple Dental School in 1985. During her last summer before graduation, she received a Fellowship in Head and Neck Cancer Surgery at Temple Hospital She opened her own dental practice in October of 1988. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. From 2008 to 2012, she served as adjunct faculty at Temple Dental.
Laurie volunteers for Sharing the Journey International, which provides clean water, dental care, and cleft lip and palate repair to children in third world countries.. Laurie and her family enjoy boating, traveling, fishing, and exercising.
Physician, Mount Nittany Physician Group
M.D. Penn State College of Medicine - 2019
B.S. Biology, Penn State - 2015
Karissa is a physician at Mount Nittany Physician Group, where she has a dual appointment in the Family & Community Medicine and Neurology departments. She splits her time working as a family practitioner and supervising her headache clinic.
During her time as an undergraduate at Penn State, Karissa participated in Science LionPride, served as a teaching assistant for multiple biology courses, and worked in Dr. Andrew Patterson’s research lab, where she studied metabolomics.
While at the Penn State College of Medicine, Karissa’s research endeavors on preventing hospital readmission rates were recognized with a Dean’s Award at graduation. Following medical school, she completed her Family & Community Medicine Residency at Penn State Health, where she served as Chief Resident.
As a young child, while her mother was completing her master’s degree at Penn State, Karissa would often tag along to classes and could frequently be seen riding her bicycle through the HUB. Karissa is an avid Penn State sports fan and enjoys exercising, outdoor recreation (including hiking with her chocolate Labrador, Tank) and cooking.
Acute Care Surgeon, ADJ Wilson, PLLC
B.S. Biology, Penn State- 2001
D.O. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - 2006
MPH Walden University - 2021
Abralena De Jesus Wilson, DO, MPH, practices Acute Care Surgery and Wound Care at Long Island, as she is President of ADJ Wilson PLLC. She started her surgical training in the United States Army Medical Corps, where she completed her surgical internship at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. She served as the Administrative Chief Surgical Resident at St. Barnabas and was appointed to the Program Evaluation Committee, serving as the voice and liaison for surgical residents, which eventually led to her passion for and commitment to collaborating with colleagues for the improvement and development of program initiatives and goals for current and future surgical residents. She is a surgery faculty for the general surgery residency program at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital. She already serves as NYITCOM Clinical Instructor, and mentors at the Women's Health Institute and the Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, as her interest is to mentor the next future generation of medical students. Her interests include spiritual development, travel, and philanthropy, all of which transcend from her personal life into her professional dedication and commitment to helping others through medicine.
1993 B.S. Microbiology
Mike most recently served as EVP of Manufacturing Operations for Nortis Inc. Nortis was an early-stage company with organ-on-a-chip technologies. He was responsible for all internal manufacturing and related operations, as well as identifying and developing relationships with key contract manufacturing partners. Prior to Nortis, he worked for Nanostring Technologies for 15 years. Mike’s responsibilities included all reagent manufacturing, product and process transfer, and manufacturing engineering and automation. Nanostring grew from 30 employees to approximately 800 during this time, achieved ISO 13485 certification, launched the FDA-registered IVD Prosigna, and went public. They expanded their product offerings into spatial biology with our GeoMx and CosMx instruments and reagents as well. These products empower all aspects of digital, quantitative gene expression analysis, now with a spatial aspect within tissue samples, and even intracellular locations. Mike’s prior career experience includes a mix of R&D, basic research, and facilities and supplier management.
Mike is passionate about mentoring young scientists, especially those from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. He currently serves as a mentor for the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship program, the PSU Alumni Association FastStart program, the LionLink online platform, and with the Biotech Boardroom program at PSU. In addition, while at Nanostring Mike sponsored an internship program focused on providing opportunities to traditionally under-represented students attending local community colleges. Mike is also the current President of the Puget Sound chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and has been on the board since 2022.