Kassondra Hickey, Head of Science at Pearlita Foods, has nearly a decade of experience in cell-based therapies across the academic, clinical, and pharmaceutical sectors. With a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Arizona State University, Kassondra's deep understanding of stem cell isolation and growth makes her the ideal candidate to lead the development of Pearlita's innovative seafood alternatives. Her extensive experience includes developing a microgel drug delivery platform to investigate the impact of chemokine signaling on traumatic brain injury repair and neural stem cell migration, isolating human stem cells for regenerative medicine Phase I and II clinical trials, and aiding in the creation of tissue-engineered urethra and bladder. As a foundational member of the Pearlita Foods team, Kassondra leads the research and development of shellfish cell lines for cultivated meat, leveraging her strengths to secure intellectual property for the company.