About us

James Ferritto

Sales Manager – US West Coast

James is based in the Bay Area (of California) and supports all customers in the Western half of the US. In his role, he helps preclinical scientists evaluate new drug candidates with data from more predictive in vitro models. James is motivated to aid in the transition away from traditional animal experiments, while making drug development more efficient and cost effective. On the weekends you’ll often find him hiking, fly fishing, or skiing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Education

Boston University, BS

Joined the team in 2022

Andy Murray (no, not the tennis player)

Lead Software Engineer

Andy started working with CN Bio as a contractor in 2017 and liked it so much he made the jump to a full-time employee. He’s responsible for designing and maintaining all the software in our systems. He works remotely in Yorkshire, but visits HQ regularly. When not in work you can find Andy on the golf course trying to bring down his handicap and avoid the bunkers.

Education

University of Manchester, BSc

Joined the team (as an employee) in 2021.

Ovidiu Novac

Senior Scientist

Ovi is a Senior Scientist at CN Bio with extensive expertise in organ-on-a-chip (OOC). Since his debut at CN Bio, in March 2020, Ovi has been involved in various projects aimed to develop and validate applications, such as NASH-in-a-box and DILI, using CN Bio’s bespoke Liver-on-a-chip. Outside of work Ovi loves to paint abstract art and has launched his own art website at the beginning of the year, loves mountains and hiking, and his ‘urban botanical balcony garden.’

Education

University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa, BSc

Technical University Gheorghe Asach, PhD

Joined the team in 2020.

Christiana Skarlatopoulou

Scientist

Christiana is one of the newer members of the Contract for Research team and has already proven to be a valuable member of the team. Christiana has a variety of interests from reading fantasy books to working out and art. She would like to combine art and science to educate people as well as inspire younger generations. Christiana is highly motivated to learn and grow as a scientist within CN Bio in all possible ways and overall contribute to the improvement of animal-free research.  

Education

University of Regensburg, BSc

King’s College London, MRes

Joined the team in 2022.

Yassen Abbas

Lead Scientist

One of our two lead scientists on our assay development team, Yassen, works on novel applications for our multi-organ system. His current focus is on CN Bio’s gut and microbiome model. Yassen loves spending time outdoors, hillwalking, running, and playing tennis with friends. He avidly loves all things politics and enjoys the odd podcast. Yassen also enjoys baking and all things space-related due to his time at the European Space Agency.

Education

University of Edinburgh, MEng

University of Cambridge, PhD

Joined the team in 2020.

Raul Silva

Scientist

A specialist in NASH and liver research, Raul works with the contract research team in a role that allows him to participate in many stages of our research/projects. Raul is a sociable team member, participating in and organizing events with our ‘social gang’. While always ensuring the integration of our CN Bio values as part of our values team. Raul can often be found running round the streets of Cambridge as one of our most committed members of the CN Bio running club, playing in local football leagues and taking to the tennis courts in the summer months.

Education

Anglia Ruskin University, BSc

University College London, MSc

Joined the team in 2020.

Gareth Guenigault

Lead Scientist – Contract Research

Gareth has been with CN Bio for over three years, joining in what feels like the distant past when the company was young and he still worked in a small, dark lab. He’s now responsible for the contract research team in their shiny new lab, planning projects with customers and ensuring they are delivered on time and to a high quality. He’s only recently stopped working in the lab and occasionally likes to still pretend he’s a bench scientist (until the real scientists kick him out of the lab). When he’s not working, you’re most likely to find Gareth outside either walking his dog, looking after the chickens in his garden, or riding his fluffy Icelandic horse. Or if the weather is bad he likes to hide at the cinema, or inside with a good book or video game.

Education

University of Sussex, BSc

Cardiff University, PhD

Joined the team in 2019.

Sarah Payne

Product Marketing Manager

Sarah is a scientist by training who converted to the dark side once the force behind her desire to talk about cutting edge science became stronger than her desire to do science! Having experienced many commercial roles, from Field Application Scientist, Sales and Product Management, she has found her forever home in marketing. Her day-to-day involves leading a team of equally passionate and result-driven individuals, who enjoy spreading the word about the fabulous field of Organ-on-a-chip and CN Bio.

Outside of work Sarah loves hanging out with family and friends. Any activity that involves being in water, on water, or next to water is a winner and she frequently sneaks off to the gym for a workout.

Education

University of Surrey, BSc Biochemistry & Toxicology.

Reading University, PhD Receptor Pharmacology

Joined the team in 2020.