About The Institute
Colorado BioScience Institute cultivates and diversifies Colorado’s life sciences workforce, from classroom, to campus, to career.
Classroom (K-12)
We nurture an early love of science with STEM education.
Campus
Engage students and educators through hands-on experiences.
Career
Empower employees with professional development.
Founded in 2015
Building a skilled, diverse workforce
Colorado BioScience Institute cultivates and diversifies Colorado’s life sciences workforce, from classroom, to campus, to career.
Classroom: We nurture an early love of science with STEM education.
Campus: Engage students and educators through hands-on experiences.
Career: Empower employees with professional development.
Our leadership in widening the life sciences talent pool:
- Supports the state’s economic growth
- Builds a skilled, diverse workforce to advance health innovation
- Elevates people with purpose-driven, high-paying jobs.
Founded in 2015 by the Colorado BioScience Association, we grow the state’s life sciences talent.
Colorado BioScience Institute
The Institute Team
Program Manager
Rachael Schowalter
Colorado BioScience Institute
Rachael supports the success of Colorado BioScience Institute’s partners and programs. In collaboration with Institute Vice President Meg John, she facilitates initiatives to cultivate and diversify Colorado’s life sciences workforce, from classroom to campus to career. She brings a strong background in program coordination and professional development, advancing a diverse STEM workforce through mentorship, process innovation, and stakeholder engagement.
Prior to joining the Institute, Rachael worked in workforce development at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where she streamlined communication systems, enhanced the intern experience, and supported the full employment lifecycle. In previous roles, she strengthened organizational compliance, improved student and employee retention, and managed large-scale data and reporting systems. She’s also led high-impact projects in event planning, training facilitation, and the development of online professional learning and engagement resources, while spearheading strategic initiatives in cost-saving, partnership building, and stakeholder engagement.
Rachael holds a Bachelor of Science degree in management from Metropolitan State University Denver and a Master of Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University.
President
Elyse Blazevich
President
Colorado BioScience Institute
President & CEO
Colorado BioScience Association
Elyse Blazevich bridges Colorado BioScience Institute’s work to build a skilled, diverse workforce to advance health innovation and Colorado BioScience Association’s commitment to create co-opportunity for Colorado’s life sciences community. She serves as President of The Institute and President & CEO of CBSA.
Elyse brings deep knowledge of life sciences company needs, CBSA as an organization, and Colorado’s business community to offer continuity, connections, and a clear vision for the future of The Institute, CBSA and Colorado’s life sciences ecosystem. Before joining The Institute and CBSA, she co-founded Securisyn Medical and led the organization as COO and CFO, transitioning the company from a founder-led startup to a professionally led, commercial-stage medical device company. She remains a member of the Securisyn Medical Board of Directors.
Previously, Elyse led investor relations for the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce. She has also served as a board member and leader for Project C.U.R.E. and the Blue Bench in addition to her board leadership role with CBSA.
Born and raised in Colorado, Elyse holds a B.A. in biology from Colorado College and earned her M.S. in organizational leadership from CSU Global. She is also a graduate of the Colorado BioScience Institute’s Executive Leadership program.
Board of Directors
The Institute’s Board of Directors provides strategic oversight and deep expertise, guiding investments and programs to cultivate and diversify Colorado’s life sciences workforce.
Michael Mestek, Ph.D.
Board of Directors Chair
Senior Director, Global Marketing
Medtronic Patient Monitoring
Chelsea Magin, Ph.D.
Board of Directors Vice Chair
Associate Professor
Director, Quality Assurance & Regulatory Affairs Certificate Program
Department of Bioengineering, Pediatrics, and Medicine
University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz
Maria Mazin, Ph.D.
Board of Directors Secretary
Director of Experiences and Partnerships
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Jim Wilson
Board of Directors Treasurer
Partner
EY
Linda Tomberlin
Senior Director of People
Eon Health
Matt Wiggins
Senior Director of Economic Vitality and Special Projects
Boulder Chamber
Anil Mathai
Consultant
Global Light Enterprises LLC
Zaragoza Briseno Jr.
Vice President of Operations
TriSalus Life Sciences