Our Team

Co-Founder

Chuchi Chen, B.Eng, PhD Candidate

Chuchi Chen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Aqulis Bio.  Chuchi has a background in Chemical Engineering and she leads the process design and manufacturing development. 

Co-Founder

Ellie Zarnke, BSc., PhD Candidate

Ellie Zarnke is the Co-Founder and CTO of Aqualis Bio, where she leads the strain engineering, probiotic development, and regulatory strategy.  

Advisor

Dr. Valerie Ward, PhD, P.L.Eng (np)

Dr. Valerie Ward is an Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo and a Canada Research Chair in Microalgae Biomanufacturing. Her work focuses on the production of value bioproducts like carotenoids and biologics. Her expertise helped build the underlying IP Aqualis Bio is built on and she continues to support Aqualis Bio's R&D activities.