EmpowerBio

Da’Kuawn Johnson, a PhD student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), is a native Baltimorean and a proud product of Baltimore City public schools from kindergarten through high school. After graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Poly), Johnson stayed close to home and attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) as a Meyerhoff Scholar and was involved in research, studying the metabolism of bacteria. Outside of research, he played in the pit band for musicals, served as a student justice for non-academic infractions, tutored science and math, and was a teaching as­sistant in biology. He reveled in what he called “the nerdy environment” of UMBC and felt that it was both collaborative and relaxed in a way that perfectly suited his needs.

Da’Kuawn was enticed away from dreams of a career as an entrepreneur to one in science and medicine at the age of 8 when an attentive third-grade teacher noticed him excelling in math. His PhD work investigates how differences in a certain immune response to pertussis at different ages affects the outcome of infection and disease. The goal is to identify potential therapeutic targets specific to the age of the patient that can improve treatment of pertussis and save infant lives.

Sneha Saggurthi is a GxP professional specializing in training program development, quality management, and external quality oversight within the biotechnology industry, with a focus on the Cell and Gene Therapy sector. As a Quality Assurance leader, she ensures compliance with cGMP and GCP regulations, oversees vendor management, and enhances workforce readiness through strategic training initiatives.

Sneha began her career as a manufacturing associate, an experience that shaped her deep understanding of operational challenges and fostered her passion for quality and training. She leverages this unique perspective to develop training programs and quality oversight strategies that empower operators for success—both in entering the industry and excelling in aseptic manufacturing environments.

With expertise in adult learning methodologies, regulatory preparedness, and instructional design, Sneha creates customized training programs that align with industry regulations and business objectives. She is dedicated to workforce development in biotechnology and serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Frederick Community College in her free time, contributing to the college’s biotechnology program.

Bill Fleming is a senior-level writer, editor and public relations practitioner with advanced expertise in AP Style, editing, digital communication, data, and analytics. As the deputy communications director for Baltimore City Community College (BCCC). Bill generated $5 million of earned publicity ad value during the most recent five-year period of his tenure. In addition to his longtime focus on communication, Bill oversaw state and local grants for BCCC resulting in $1.1 million in funding from the State of Maryland, T. Rowe Price, Campus Consortium, Truth Initiative, Baltimore's Promise, BB&T Bank/Truist, Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, Annie E. Casey Foundation, and others.

Bill is an experienced user of technology and has been an administrative assistant in the public, interagency governmental, and private sectors of Washington, D.C. He has worked in both large and small organizations..