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BTEC leadership update: Dr. Gary Gilleskie named acting director

Published June 19, 2017

Dr. Gary Gilleskie to serve as BTEC's new acting director

Dr. Gary Gilleskie will become BTEC's acting director effective July 1, 2017.

Dr. Gary Gilleskie will become BTEC's acting director July 1, when current director Dr. Ruben G. Carbonell takes leave to assume the role of chief technology officer for the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL).

Announced in December 2016, NIIMBL is the first manufacturing innovation institute sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce to advance U.S. leadership in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. A partnership among more than 150 companies, educational institutions, research centers, coordinating bodies, non-profits, and manufacturing extension partnerships, NIIMBL represents a public and private investment of at least $199 million for the development of a national resource for manufacturing advanced biologic therapies and workforce training.

BTEC anticipates ongoing involvement with NIIMBL as the new manufacturing innovation institute generates projects and related opportunities. Dr. Carbonell, who has served as BTEC's director since 2007, said, "I think Gary will do a fantastic job in his position as acting director, and I am excited about the future of BTEC as it enters a new phase of more direct involvement with new partners across the state and across the nation."

Dr. Gilleskie has been with BTEC since 2007 and has served as director of operations for the past five years. His work focuses on the area of downstream processing of biopharmaceuticals, including protein therapeutics and vaccines. While at BTEC, he has developed and taught numerous courses focused on downstream bioprocessing, for audiences ranging from NC State students to industry professionals to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He also started BTEC’s bioprocess services program and has collaborated with a number of external organizations on developing processes and new bioprocessing technologies.

He serves as a member and past chair of the steering committee of the Biomanufacturing and Process Development (BPD) Group, an exchange group through the North Carolina Biotechnology Center that provides a forum for scientists and engineers to discuss bioprocessing topics. He also serves as co-chair of the Sustainable Skilled Workforce Committee of the Bio-Process Systems Alliance (BPSA), an organization that encourages adoption of single-use biomanufacturing technologies.

Prior to joining BTEC, Dr. Gilleskie spent 15 years in both the chemical and biopharmaceutical industries. His past experience in biopharmaceuticals includes both process development and managing manufacturing groups operating under cGMP (current good manufacturing practice) regulations. He received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from NC State in 1986 and earned a doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1993.