Yogesh Goyal

Yogesh Goyal is an Assistant Professor of Cell & Developmental Biology at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. Yogesh received his B.Tech. with Honors in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, and his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering focusing on quantitative developmental biology from Princeton University. Yogesh pursued postdoctoral work in single-cell systems and synthetic biology in Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Yogesh’s major honors include Burroughs Wellcome Fund CASI Award, Schmidt Science Fellowship, STAT Wunderkind, and the Jane Coffin Childs Fellowship. Yogesh’s group combines theory, computation, and single-cell resolved experiments to track and control cellular plasticity and fate choices in developing tissues and cancer.

Efrain Rodriguez-Ocasio

PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering, working on the development of engineered microorganisms for industrial applications. My current project focuses on microbial upcycling of plastic wastes using the biorefinery concept as a model. Having a bachelor’s in biotechnology and training in the engineering biology field, I am working towards a career at the nexus of science and engineering to better understand biological systems and how they can be leveraged to our advantage.

Andrea Poole

I worked in synthetic biology for 4 years during my undergrad at Wright State University. During this time, I was part of multiple iGEM teams as a member and advisor. Now in graduate school, I joined a protein NMR lab where I look at how mutations in cancer change protein structure and ligand binding. In the future I want to have an industry job in synthetic biology.

2022 EBRC Bioeconomy Executive Order White Papers

A series of policy white papers on topics of importance to EBRC members and the engineering biology community that can provide guidance and recommendations to federal agencies tasked with responding to the Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy.

Moonshots for the 21st-Century Bioeconomy

Publication Date: December 2022

In response to the Bioeconomy Executive Order, EBRC envisions moonshots for achievements in engineering biology across five sectors, highlighting the promise and potential of biotechnology. We also link to our interactive EBRC roadmaps, which provide more expansive visions of the innovations that are possible through engineering biology research and application.

Standards and Metrics to Accelerate the Global Bioeconomy

Publication Date: December 2022

Common language, measurements, and widely adopted standards are critical for many activities within the bioeconomy. We identify challenges, next steps, and recommendations for establishing standards and metrics to promote a secure and robust bioeconomy.

Regulatory Clarity, Communication, and Nimbleness

Publication Date: December 2022

The United States is at the forefront of the biotechnology revolution, and its regulatory agencies are and will continue to be tasked with establishing and enforcing rules and regulations that ensure the commercialization of biotechnologies that are viable and economically-sound solutions and do not present unacceptable risk. Herein we articulate select areas of uncertainty and concern that have caused challenges in the development of biotechnologies.

Platform Vulnerabilities and Security in the Bioeconomy

Publication Date: December 2022

Platform technologies enable the research, development, and commercialization of biotechnologies, but may be vulnerable to exploitation. We identify platforms that support different segments of the bioeconomy and discuss their vulnerabilities, how those vulnerabilities might be exploited, and actions the U.S. Government can take to support a secure bioeconomy.

Biosafety & Biosecurity Innovation Initiative

Publication Date: December 2022

EBRC proposes a structure and function of a Biosafety & Biosecurity Innovation Initiative to reduce biological risks associated with a growing bioeconomy. We recommend that priorities and best practices for a safe and secure bioeconomy be identified through consistent communication between federal agencies and stakeholders across the bioeconomy enterprise.

Development of a Workforce to Support a Distributed, Equitable Bioeconomy

Publication Date: December 2022

The development of biotechnologies that will usher in a more sustainable and healthier future require a talented, trained workforce that reflects the diversity of America. The bioeconomy will rely on the distribution of opportunity geographically, demographically, and across the workforce spectrum.

Educating the Next-Generation Bioeconomy Workforce

Publication Date: December 2022

A robust and distributed bioeconomy requires a skilled, diverse workforce. We describe opportunities and recommendations for improving education and training of the next-generation of biotechnology leaders.

Revising Legacy Approaches to Biology Education

Publication Date: December 2022

To remain globally competitive and prepare our citizens for the jobs of the future, we must rethink how we teach biology. There is an important role for the federal government to improve the way educational programs are designed, the way companies manage their hiring processes, and the way current and future employees find training throughout their careers.

US Leadership in a Global Bioeconomy

Publication Date: December 2022

Herein, we describe four key focus areas where international best practices, norms, and/or standards are nascent or underdeveloped, and thus where there is real need and opportunity for US leadership: 1) Standards, Metrics, and Norms, 2) Regulations, 3) Biosecurity and Biosafety, and 4) Horizon Scanning.

Compilation: EBRC Policy Papers in Response to the 2022 Bioeconomy Executive Order

Publication Date: December 2022 (updated 2023)

On September 12, 2022, President Biden released an Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy. This Executive Order calls for “a whole-of-government approach to advance biotechnology and biomanufacturing towards innovative solutions in health, climate change, energy, food security, agriculture, supply chain resilience, and national and economic security.” The Executive Order follows additional action by the United States Congress to support the bioeconomy and biomanufacturing, most notably the passage of Title IV—Bioeconomy Research and Development in the Chips and Science Act.

To capitalize on this moment of importance and enthusiasm for a growing and robust U.S. bioeconomy, EBRC is publishing a series of policy white papers on topics of importance to EBRC members and the engineering biology community that we believe can provide guidance and recommendations to the federal agencies tasked with responding to the Executive Order. Below you will find a compilation of the papers published on December 1, 2022.

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