Board of Directors

Richard Novak, PhD - President

Richard Novak founded Future Scientist to provide students in resource-poor areas with the encouragement and resources to fully experience the world we live in. In his spare time he is a senior engineer at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University where he leads the Microengineering team to develop microfluidic tools, assays, and instrumentation for therapeutic and analytic applications. He holds a PhD in Bioengineering from UCSF and UC Berkeley and obtained a BS in Biology from Emory University.

Morgan Hess-Holtz, MBA, MPH, CPH - Secretary

Morgan is a public health researcher based in Panama City, Panama where she collaborates with public and private instiutions in implementing research and data analysis activities. She has a passion for entrepreneurship and science in Panama. Morgan has a MPH from University of South Florida and an MBA from Florida International University.

Mark Leverette, CPA - Treasurer

Mark Leverette is a Certified Public Accountant and Partner at BPM LLP in San Francisco. He has over fifteen years of experience with financial accounting and various non-profit Board leadership positions. Mark loves Panama, health, well-being of communities, and innovation... and wants to be able to make a difference in the world.

Amador Goodridge, PhD - Director

Amador Goodridge leads public health research efforts in the Colon province of Panama. Based at INDICASAT in Panama City, Dr. Goodridge has extensive experience working closely with Panamanian hospitals, clinics, and health centers. He has collaborated with Panamanian and international research institutes, governmental organizations, and NGOs on scientific capacity building. Dr. Goodridge earned a PhD in Infectious Diseases and Immunity at UC Berkeley, and has taught microbiology and molecular diagnosis courses in public and private universities worldwide.

Gautham Venugopalan, PhD - Director

Gautham Venugopalan works with Future Scientist because he loves design, science, teaching, and creative projects. He researched cellular mechanics in the Fletcher Lab at UC-Berkeley for his PhD. He has taught engineering design to engineering students, and lessons to elementary school students through the Bay Area Scientists in Schools program. Gautham has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Rose-Hulman and a PhD from UC-Berkeley/UC-San Francisco in Bioengineering.