Dr. Tara Karimi is the founder and CEO of Cemvita Factory. She has devoted her academic career to studying biological systems and applying the natural principles to create biologically-inspired technology. Dr. Karimi started her research in veterinary medicine, and from there ventured into biochemistry. The introduction to biochemistry was the onset of her journey into multidisciplinary science as she  completed several projects in tissue engineering, genetic engineering, molecular and developmental biology, stem cell research, and regenerative medicine. As part of these endeavors she genetically programmed stem cells to differentiate to insulin producing cells as an alternative method for insulin injection for diabetes patients. She also programmed stem cells to generate pacemaker and purkinjie cells as an alternative for electronic pacemakers for treatment of arrhythmia. 

This broad exposure and passion for the chemistry of living systems allowed her to connect the dots in biology and chemistry to pioneer what she calls cognitive chemistry. She is also the author of the upcoming Springer book titled “Molecular Mechanisms of Autonomy in Biological Systems by the Relativity of Code, Energy, and Mass”. Dr. Karimi received her Doctor in Veterinary Medicine & PhD in Biochemistry from Shiraz University, her Postdoc in Tissue Engineering from University of South Carolina and Postdoc in Stem Cell Programming from Tulane University.

Moji Karimi is the co-founder and Chief Operations Officer at Cemvita Factory. He is a multidisciplinary entrepreneur and engineer who helps ideate, develop, and commercialize ground-breaking technologies. He has a proven track record of taking ideas to market, both at big companies and startups. Moji's experiences range from developing advanced deepwater drilling methods to several new biologically inspired technologies with applications in the energy industry,  aerospace, and agriculture. 

In his previous endeavor, Moji joined Biota Technology as the fourth employee of the company to start the Houston office and commercialize DNA Sequencing in the energy industry. In two years he grew Biota's business to multi-million dollars in revenue and played a key role in establishing Subsurface DNA Diagnostics as a common method for reservoir characterization. 

Moji holds BS and MS degrees in drilling and petroleum engineering, respectively.

Astronaut Timothy Kopra serves as an advisor to Cemvita Factory. An engineer by training, since 1998 Tim has served in various leadership and operational roles at NASA including as Flight Engineer and Commander of the International Space Station. Tim has been responsible for numerous technology development, deployment, and operations programs including for Space Shuttle launch operations, Space Station hardware and communications systems, and spacewalk interface verification and testing.Prior to NASA, Tim served in the US Army for 25 years as an Army aviator. He deployed to Operations Desert Shield and Storm and then commanded an AH-64 Attack Helicopter Company. Following studies at Georgia Tech and completing the US Navy Test Pilot School, Tim served as the Developmental Test Director for the Army’s Comanche Program until his assignment to NASA.His education includes a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, United States Military Academy; Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology; Master of Strategic Studies, US Army War College; and Masters of Business Administration from Columbia Business School and London Business School. Extended NASA Resume.

Sidney Nakahodo is an advisor for Cemvita Factory. He is a cofounder at New York Space Alliance and a Columbia University lecturer on political, social and economic development in Brazil. He holds an engineering degree in materials science and a Masters of International Affairs from Columbia University. He has developed low carbon projects at the World Bank, and served as a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme.  In parallel to his academic responsibilities he is currently involved in a number of technology startups, both as co-founder and advisor.

Dr. Moeinzadeh is a scientist consultant at Cemvita Factory. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with extensive research experience in the fields of polymers, hydrogels, biomaterials, tissue engineering, drug delivery, nanotechnology, micro-fabrication and cancer.

He has expertise in materials characterization including rheometry, NMR, GPC, UV/Vis, DLS, XRD, SEM, TEM, DSC and EDS. and extensive experience in conducting cell cultures, biochemical assays, RT-PCR, ELISA, Western blotting, flow cytometry, fluorescence and confocal microscopy.

Dr. Moeinzadeh has over 40 publications including peer reviewed journal papers, book chapters and conference proceedings, and has presented over 20 presentations at national and international conferences.

Jacqueline Havelka is a science advisor at Cemvita Factory. She's a rocket scientist turned writer, having worked in the space program for many years managing experiments on the Space Station and Shuttle. Jacqueline currently owns her own firm, Inform Scientific, specializing in technical and medical writing and research program management. When she’s not writing, she is likely watching college football.

Remington is a commercialization strategy advisor for Cemvita Factory. He is Partner and COO at Brandsinger, a NYC-based brand strategy and corporate culture consulting firm, where he specializes in strategic innovation, digital transformation, and technology thought leadership. The firm’s clients have included organizations of all sizes from Fortune 500s like Cigna and United Airlines to universities like Emerson College and Oklahoma State University. He is also a founding advisor at Confecta, a network of consultants and industry experts that provides advice and connections to early stage startups and individual and institutional investors new to venture capital. Confecta’s portfolio ranges from fast-growing food tech companies to trending blockchain startups to international energy IT M&A ventures.

Remington is completing his PhD dissertation at the University of Aberdeen on the influence of technological myths on economic and political decision-making. He holds an MS from New York University, an MA from Loyola University Chicago, and his BA from Marquette University.

Kristin Naidysh is the Outside General Counsel at Cemvita Factory. Kristin is a Houston-area startup attorney and advocate. She is best described as a bookworm with an unceasing entrepreneurial spirit because her dedication to working with startups is substantiated by her knowledge of their legal and operational environments. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence with honors from the University of Houston Law Center. Kristin specialized and received a graduate certificate in business consulting while getting her M.B.A. and concentrated on business and corporate law for emerging-growth companies while earning her J.D.

Shehan Chandrasekera is the CFO at Cemvita Factory. He is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Texas. He is also a Partner at JAG CPAs & Co and the founder of Seed Advisers LLC. As  a CPA, his industry knowledge ranges from traditional industries like Real Estate and Construction to innovative and emerging sectors like Tech Start-ups and Blockchain. Shehan enjoys helping start-up entrepreneurs navigate through various tax and accounting intricacies. His ability to dissect the tax code and innovative thinking have immensely contributed to many successful engagements with various entrepreneurs.  

Moreover, Shehan is a published author and a frequent technical contributor to various social media platforms. He graduated from William Paterson University, NJ. Aside from being an accountant, Shehan enjoys following the tech industry, rock climbing and spending time with his family.

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