Christine Pollard, Ph.D. —
Professor and Founding Director, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, OSU-Cascades

Dr. Christine Pollard is a Professor in Kinesiology and the Director of the new Doctor of Physical Therapy program at OSU-Cascades. Dr. Pollard received a Master of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Pacific University and a Ph.D. from University of Massachusetts in Biomechanics. Prior to coming to OSU-Cascades in 2011, she was faculty member at University of Southern California’s top-ranked Doctor of Physical Therapy program.

Pollard founded the FORCE Biomechanics Laboratory in 2013 and her research is dedicated to improving the scientific understanding of lower extremity injuries, and advancing injury-prevention and rehabilitation programs based on this knowledge. Dr. Pollard has worked with industry leaders for the past two decades, particularly as it relates to footwear science. She has published and presented her research nationally and internationally. Recently, the New York Times featured several of her studies in an article about running footwear.

Vance Cooper — Senior Mgr., Operations Thermo-Fisher

A passionate scientist and people leader, Vance Cooper has over 20 years of experience in pharmaceutical project management, analytical chemistry, and drug delivery technologies. He earned a B.S. in Biology from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 1997 and spent the next 9 years conducting bioanalytical studies at the Clinical Research Organization, PPD (now a part of ThermoFisher). Feeling a calling to return to the Western half of the country he moved to Oregon to work on anti-sense technology at AVI Biopharma in Corvallis and bioanalytical chemistry at BASi in McMinnville. He joined ThermoFisher Scientific in Bend (originally the start-up Agere Pharmaceuticals) in 2012 as the site’s first Project Manager and in typical start-up mode, was handed a bonus responsibility as Quality Control Supervisor. After growing and handing off the Project Management team in 2018, he assumed his current role with responsibility for the formulation development, manufacturing, and supply chain functions at the site to develop, produce and deliver clinical-stage pharmaceutical products on behalf of their customers. When not buried in proposals, reports and performance metrics, Vance enjoys spending time with family exploring Oregon on foot, ski and bike.

Clint Pepper, Ph.D. — Director, MAST Products, MillporeSigma

Clint Pepper has spent more than 25 years in the biologics, pharmaceutical and medical device industry creating products, developing processes and manufacturing biopharm compounds in development, clinical and commercial environments.

Clint earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Washington State University. From there, he moved to UCLA to complete his M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering where he focused on the manufacturing scale up and characterization of extremophilic archea organisms.

Early in his career he has focused on developing biologic and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and the associated facilities that house them. He has seen several products through from Phase I to commercial. Later he moved to the medical device field where he has developed and manufactured multiple medical device products.

With Bend Research, Clint lead the effort to bring the Modular Automated Sampling Technology (MAST) autosampling solution from initial concept to market launch. Now, as part of MilliporeSigma he continues to drive the effort to keep the MAST technology as the premier choice in autosampling solutions.

Erica Schlesinger — VP Technical Development, Seran Bio

Erica currently works for Serán Bioscience as VP of Technical Development. Serán is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) located in Bend, Oregon focused on the formulation development and manufacturing of pharmaceutical products in clinical development. Prior to joining Serán, Erica worked as a Scientist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals developing advanced formulations and novel drug delivery systems for protein therapeutics. She has also worked in roles focused on technical development of pharmaceutical products and processes at Genentech and Seattle Genetics and served as a Peace Corps volunteer teaching high school chemistry in Mozambique. Erica received her PhD in Bioengineering from UCSF & UC-Berkeley and her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University. When not working, she enjoys the central Oregon lifestyle and can be found hiking or paddleboarding with her dog or riding her horses.