About BioRise
The BioRise Story
BioRise was founded in 2023 as a result of South Dakota Biotech’s vision to create a more robust and diverse bioeconomy in the Midwest region and beyond. South Dakota Biotech recognized the need for an organization that could provide targeted resources to innovative startups and growing companies in the field of biotechnology. To meet this need, BioRise was created as an independent entity with a specific focus on identifying and uplifting the best and brightest ideas in the field.
Building on the foundation of South Dakota Biotech’s success in promoting biotechnology, BioRise is committed to helping companies navigate the complexities of the biotechnology landscape. With a focus on leadership, integrity, excellence, and innovation, BioRise is helping to foster the development of a thriving and diverse bioeconomy in the Midwest.
BioRise Staff
Joni Ekstrum
Executive Director
Joni Ekstrum serves as executive director of BioRise and South Dakota Biotech. She oversees its advocacy, communication, education, and membership services, representing more than 60 South Dakota Biotech members in industries from food and agriculture to human health and renewable energy.
During her tenure, Ekstrum has made a significant impact on the biotech industry in South Dakota and energized the association. She is a tireless advocate and enthusiastic promoter for the association, its members, and affiliates. She has brought attention to the significant economic impacts of an innovation-driven economy and served as an effective liaison in advocacy issues to keep the progress of biotech moving.
Board of Directors
President
Mel Ustad, Ph. D.
Dr. Melvin Ustad, Director of SD EPSCoR, and serving as the Project Director of the NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Track 1 project. The five-year $24 million project involves the six regental institutions, three tribal colleges, two private colleges. Dr. Ustad served as the Director of Commercialization, in the Governor’s Office of Economic Development for Governor Rounds and Daugaard. Ustad previously served as Acting and Interim VP for Research at USD, Director of the SD SBIR Center, and worked for Senator Larry Pressler in Washington, DC.
Mark Stowers, Ph. D.
Vice President
Dr. Mark Stowers is the Biotech Executive of The Global Bluefish Company, LLC, a global management, and financial advisory company. He holds a Ph.D. in microbiology from NC State University (1982) and completed post-doctoral studies at the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University (1983). He is a NC State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Distinguished Alumnus (2003). He (as the principal from HM.Clause) is the recipient of the UC Davis Chancellor’s award Innovative Community Partner award (2016). He has served on numerous company, not-for-profit, and university boards and advisory committees.
Kara McCormick
Secretary
Dr. Kara McCormick of Sanford Research oversees both the internal and external communications for the non-profit research arm of Sanford Health, which has a team of more than 250 researchers on staff. She earned her undergraduate degree in physical science with a Business and Chemistry Specialization from DSU. Kara then pursued her PhD in Basic Biomedical Sciences with a specialization in Infectious Diseases at USD. Most recently, she served the state of SD as an Epidemiologist for the Dept. of Health, holding roles as a Safety Officer, Data Visualization Lead, and Education Partner during the Emergency Response to the COVID pandemic.
Christoph Bausch
Treasurer
Dr. Christoph L. Bausch is the Executive Vice President and chief operating officer at SAB Biotherapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical development company commercializing the first-of-its-kind immunotherapy platform to produce full human polyclonal (IgG) antibodies from bovine –The DiversitAb™ Platform. Prior to SAB, Dr. Bausch worked in business development for global biorefining leader, Poet, LLC, where he structured strategic partnerships, prospected, and vetted new technologies, and streamlined R&D. He also held research and commercialization roles for Fortune 500 life science company Millipore Sigma.