At Athari BioSciences, the Swahili word for impact drives a relentless commitment to advancing global health through groundbreaking discoveries. Founded to forge connections between cutting-edge research and accessible healthcare, Athari BioSciences operates at the vital intersection of technology, diagnostics, and public health. This pioneering small business transforms the healthcare landscape by empowering communities, developing life-saving solutions, and inspiring the next generation of STEMM leaders.
Four visionary leaders kindle Athari’s progress, each bringing distinctive expertise and passion to the company’s mission. From redefining cancer therapeutics to revolutionizing immunosurveillance and vaccine delivery, Susan Mitchell, Dr. Tammey Naab, Dr. Tshaka Cunningham, and Jeannett Jackman unite as a dynamic team that sparks ingenuity and systematic efficiency. Together, they breathe life into Athari Bio’s mission of transforming lives through science, mentorship, and trailblazing advancements.
Why Athari Bio? A Shared Commitment to Impact
For Susan Mitchell, founding Athari BioSciences represents the culmination of a journey shaped by faith, ingenuity, and purpose. Reflecting on her mission, she says, “I have to do this work because my mentees, colleagues, and community are relying on me.” Her vision for Athari Bio emerged from her determination to strengthen STEMM training and advance translational research and technology transfer across sectors. She notes, “There are a lot of organizations providing young people with experiences that usually take up a day, but nobody is willing to address the root challenge – over 2.5 million unfilled biomedical jobs that threaten our nation’s health security and scientific workforce.” Athari Bio serves as the catalyst for STEMM workforce development, streamlined execution, and cross-sector collaboration. Through strategic partnerships between academia, industry, government, and American citizens, she forges pathways that accelerate scientific discoveries from laboratory to market, ensuring breakthroughs benefit those who need them most.
Dr. Tammey Naab sees Athari as an opportunity to merge her extensive clinical expertise with her commitment to pioneering research. Drawn to the company’s culture and thought leadership, she says, “Susan’s dynamism, her government connections, and Tshaka’s genius make this a very interesting intellectual endeavor for me.” Athari Bio empowers Dr. Naab to develop advanced clinical trials and transformative diagnostic solutions, enhancing precision in medical research.
For Dr. Tshaka Cunningham, Athari Bio’s mission to advance scientific excellence resonates deeply. He envisions the company as a catalyst for transformation: “What inspires me most is how we embody our name through action – creating jobs locally, training tomorrow’s scientists, and developing technologies that improve human health globally.” This vision aligns perfectly with his lifelong passion for biomedical research and revolutionizing healthcare delivery.
Jeannett Jackman discovers in Athari the perfect fusion of her expertise in government contracting and breakthrough biotechnology solutions. Describing her role, she says, “What makes my role particularly interesting is how it connects scientific advancement with business success. At Athari Bio, I get to help build something meaningful.” Athari empowers her to apply her skills to a mission-driven organization that champions systematic efficiency and real-world impact.
The projects led by the Athari BioSciences team showcase their collective expertise in creating solutions that matter. From cancer therapeutics to oral vaccines and genomic education, each initiative demonstrates their commitment to advancement. Dr. Tshaka Cunningham, who leads the development of “Cancer Targeting Nanoparticles,” shares, “The potential impact of the work we’re doing here… the net result is saving lives. It is an incredibly noble cause.” Dr. Tammey Naab’s contributions to the oral vaccine platform stem from her meticulous attention to safety and efficacy, as she explains, “Any time you develop a product for humans, you must be totally transparent with results and constantly refine it for the best possible outcome.” As COO, Jeannett Jackman brings these projects to life by creating operational structures that support growth, noting, “I ensure our operational excellence matches our scientific ambition.” Together, the team’s unique skills and unwavering enthusiasm propel Athari Bio’s mission to deliver transformative healthcare solutions.
Excellence powers every aspect of Athari BioSciences, a value that CEO Susan Mitchell places at the core of the company’s mission. “The value that resonates the most is excellence because when you put excellence on all these activities, all goals are met,” Susan shares. Her leadership ensures that every project reflects this principle, from pioneering infectious disease countermeasures to launching initiatives like the Genomic Education Mentors & Scientists (GEMS) program. She finds deep motivation in the impact Athari Bio creates for STEMM mentees, colleagues, and community, adding, “When I get discouraged, I look at the young people in our ecosySTEMM… they’re watching and waiting for me to show them a way.” Under her guidance, merit serves as a catalyst that drives the company’s inventive spirit and transformational achievements.
The Road Ahead: Where Science Meets Purpose
The future of Athari BioSciences shines as bright as the team that is driving it forward. With groundbreaking research milestones on the horizon, the company stands ready to spark rapid growth and global impact. Dr. Tshaka Cunningham envisions a future where Athari Bio’s technologies reach commercialization, saying, “I am excited to see the company meet its product development goals and move forward with some of the exciting research. Once we hit those milestones, I see us growing at a rapid pace.” For Dr. Tammey Naab, the focus remains on refining processes and delivering excellence: “The finish line is completing validation, so it is easy enough to do in a clinical lab, high-throughput, and without adverse effects.” Together, the team charts Athari’s course toward a reimagined healthcare landscape.