Our Team
Harlem Biospace is founded by Samuel Sia and Christine Kovich, in collaboration with, and with financial support from, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).
Sam Sia (Co-founder)
Sam is a faculty member of the biomedical engineering department at Columbia University. His lab focuses on using microfluidics to improve patient health. His lab’s work has been supported by the NIH, NSF, USAID/Gates Foundation/World Bank/Governments of Norway and Canada, Wallace H. Coulter Foundation, American Heart Association, and World Health Organization. He has been named one of the world’s top young innovators by MIT Technology Review and is an inducted fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. He is the founder of Claros Diagnostics, a venture capital-backed company which was acquired by Opko Health in 2011. His lab has invented a large number of new technologies currently covered by patents filed by Columbia University. As a scientist and an inventor, Sam can’t think of a better city than New York City to start a company.
Contact: ss@harlembiospace.com
Christine kovich (co-founder)
Christine has spent 14 years in the payments industry, most recently creating partnerships with start-ups that are disrupting the financial services industry. Prior to that, she worked on the development and deployment of an industry leading contactless payment solution from pilot to commercial roll-out. She has an International MBA from the Schulich School of Business at York University which eventually brought her to NYC as a Russia specialist. She looks forward to creating an environment where biotech start-ups can thrive in the city she loves. Perched on her fold-up bike, Christine can be seen biking to meetings on one of NYC’s many bike paths.
Contact: ck@harlembiospace.com
Matt owens (advisor)
Matt was an early team member of the NYC-based global education start-up, General Assembly, and helped spearhead GA’s first programs in NYC and Los Angeles. Before this, he worked as a strategy consultant with Stax, Inc. in Boston and as an analyst for a SF-based start-up, Gratio Capital. Matt has also worked with the founding teams of several science based ventures, including Agile Sciences and Innova Dynamics. He is a graduate of the Management and Technology and Integrated Product Design (MSE) programs at the University of Pennsylvania. In Philadelphia, Matt served on the board of Philly Startup Leaders and as an Engagement Manager for the cleantech practice of Wharton’s Small Business Development Center. He is an avid runner — when not at Harlem Biospace, he can likely be found running through the city.
Contact: m@harlembiospace.com
Jaskirti Ghataure (ADVISOR)
Jaskirti received her Bachelor’s in Biotechnology Engineering from Panjab University, Chandigarh and Masters in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University, New York. Her research at Regenerative Engineering Laboratory (College of Dental Medicine, Columbia University) focused on developing injectable hydrogel solutions for menisci tears, ensuring native cell regeneration via cell homing. She was also a part of a clinical research team focused on developing a novel biomedical device to improve the compliance of incentive spirometers in post-surgery patients. She enjoys yoga, calligraphy, and cooking in her free time.
Contact: jg@harlembiospace.com
CHRISHA NARIO (SITE DIRECTOR)
Chrisha earned her Bachelor’s in Biomedical Engineering and Master’s in Translational Medicine from the Grove School of Engineering at The City College of New York. Her undergraduate research involved the design and manufacturing of an affordable three-point bending uniaxial tension / compression micro-testing device for use in bone fracture research. She worked with Jacobi Medical Center in graduate school to develop an affordable cervix dilating device for use in minimally invasive gynecological surgery. She also volunteered at a nursing home to assist in wound care rounds and interned at MaMome, a startup company that studies how the microbiome can be used to predict and prevent the development of certain diseases. She enjoys drawing, hiking, and going to concerts in her free time.
Contact: cn@harlembiospace.com
NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is the City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC’s mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity, and strengthen the city’s competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City’s many opportunities. Visit the website and blog to learn more about NYCEDC projects and initiatives.