Pioneering the future of biotechnology
Our Mission - To fast-track breakthrough bio-based ideas from lab to market by de-risking technologies, streamlining commercialization, and connecting innovators to industry partners and specialized capacity.
Our Vision - To be the premier catalyst transforming the University of Minnesota’s biotechnology strengths into scalable products, skilled jobs, and resilient supply chains.
From Lab to Life: Making a Difference
Key benefits of the MnBA's work for Minnesota's bioeconomy and beyond.
MnBA accelerates market solutions to create skilled training and jobs through tighter university-industry collaboration and scaling infrastructure access. Beyond Minnesota, it shortens time-to-market for critical biobased solutions, and attracts follow-on capital and milestone oriented partnership into a scalable, national innovation pipeline.
The Milestones That Shaped Us
2023: The Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation Center is founded
The Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation Center was launched by RIO and Founding Director, Claudia Schmidt-Dannert, in December 2023 to build a biomanufacturing ecosystem in Minnesota.
The center recognizes the University of Minnesota’s strengths in biotechnology and bioinnovation as a strong foundation for accelerating cross-disciplinary research, innovation, entrepreneurship, education, training, outreach, engagement, and partnership to drive Minnesota’s next-generation manufacturing and economic development.
2024: Inaugural Seed Research Grant Awardees
An inaugural call for seed funding proposals resulted in six project teams receiving funding in several high priority areas including biotechnological solutions and/or biomanufacturing of biofuels, carbon storage, and recycling/upcycling of waste streams. Six projects were awarded and the inaugural awardees represented a diverse cross-section of expertise from colleges and institutes. Projects that were awarded included active collaborations and workforce development in partnership with a diverse range of state-based entities, including companies, small businesses, start-ups, and non-profit organizations.
2025: Leadership Transition, Seed Grant Awards and the Minnesota Bioinnovation Accelerator
Greg Cuomo joins as BBIC Director to transition to a new model: the Minnesota Bioinnovation Accelerator. Three grants are awarded to advance previously funded projects on insect omega 3 production, carbon sequestering materials from biochar, and a microbial platform to produce green ammonia. Funded projects join the Minnesota Bioinnovation Accelerator (MnBA) pilot, a program providing a structured framework to help translate discoveries into viable solutions. Through the accelerator, each team receives targeted guidance and resources to explore potential applications, industry engagement, and pathways toward commercialization.
Meet the Minds of MnBA
Carmen Schicklberger
Chief Operating Officer
Carmen joined the center in July 2024, bringing a blend of business and technical training and expertise to her role and initiated the Minnesota Bioinnovation Accelerator in September 2025. Her previous roles included leadership positions at the nexus of business development and operations and innovation initiatives at biotech and medtech startups (Zymergen, Senneca Diagnostics), government (UK Science and Innovation), and non-profit organizations. She is leading growth and development of the the Accelerator program as an integrated model across the University of Minnesota ecosystem. She is a member of the Commercial Readiness Subcommittee at BioMADE.
Email:[email protected]
Tel:612-626-6279
Greg Cuomo
Director
Greg Cuomo was appointed Center Director in July 2025. He brings over 20 years of leadership experience from his time at Utah State University and UMN's College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). His previous UMN roles included Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs, Deputy Director of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, and Division Head of the Research and Outreach Center (ROC) System. As Director of MnBA, he is dedicated to accelerating cross-disciplinary bioinnovation, developing strategic partnerships, and building the infrastructure needed to establish Minnesota as a national leader in the bio-based economy.
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 612-624-1465
Claudia Schmidt-Dannert
Founding Director
In 2023, the Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation Center was established under the leadership of its founding Director, Claudia Schmidt-Dannert. She is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics at the University of Minnesota. She has a background in conducting research in fundamental areas of biotechnology but also in translational research and her research spans from molecules to systems. As of July 2025, she has stepped back from her role as active Director in order to focus on her role as Director of the BioTechnology Institute, which remains a key partner for MnBA.
Email:[email protected]
Tel:612-625-5782
MnBA Staff
Nisha Vishwanathan
Strategy & Operations Intern
In her role, Nisha contributes to project evaluation and market and technical analysis to support seed grant teams and she collaborates with leadership on AI augmentation of operational processes. She is a PhD candidate in the Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics (BMBB) program at the University of Minnesota, with research experience in peptide natural products and biosynthetic mechanisms. Her prior training includes a BS in Industrial Biotechnology and a MS in Microbial Engineering.