About Us

Gladis Zamparo is Bionique’s CEO and integrator. She believes that quality of service in analytical testing and scientific integrity go hand in hand to ensure patient safety. Working with Bionique’s leadership team, she helps deliver on Bionique’s promise of top-tier service to all clients. Formerly CFO, Gladis has over 20 years of experience in financial and business management. Gladis previously worked at J.P. Morgan, where she held multiple roles within the Investor Services Division. Prior to that role, Gladis was the Executive Director of the China-Italy Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit entity based in Beijing, for over five years. Gladis holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and a BA from the Ca’ Foscari University in Italy.

Dr. Jill Mariano, Bionique’s Chief Scientific Officer, focuses on current mycoplasma testing methods and applicable regulatory requirements, along with the validation and implementation of alternative microbiological methods. Dr. Mariano also provides consultation concerning the technical, quality, and regulatory guidance with respect to mycoplasma testing strategies to support drug discovery, development, and commercialization efforts particularly in the field of advanced therapies. Over her tenure with Bionique, she has served as President and Executive Chair of the organization. Dr. Mariano received her MD degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Meggan Keith received her BSc in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from Michigan Technological University, and her Ph.D. in Cellular and Physiological Dynamics from the University of Notre Dame. Her academic research focused on Vitamin D and the prevention of breast cancer as well as BRCA-associated hereditary breast cancer syndrome. She led the quality control laboratory at a commercial research rodent company before switching to cGMP pharmaceutical lab operations. She now works at Bionique as Director of Laboratory Operations. Outside of the lab, Dr. Keith has been rescuing Brittany Spaniels for over a decade and volunteers for 2 national Brittany rescue groups. In her spare time, she enjoys snowboarding, reading, baking, and playing with her rescue dogs.

Cynthia Martino received her BS in Environmental Studies, and her MS in Biology from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. Her master’s thesis was on the use of cytochrome B analysis to determine the seasonal dispersal habits of female American Kestrels, as well as a comparison of both blood and feather samples to support this analysis. Cynthia has experience with analytical development, discovery research, and contract testing and research. With over 20 years in the industry, she now specializes in rapid mycoplasma test development and validation. She enjoys spending time in the woods, fishing, traveling, and forever has her eyes and ears peeled for birds.

Dr. Shayn Armstrong provides scientific knowledge and expertise in both bioproduction and quality control of specialized life science reagents used in both academic and biopharma research. He received his BSc in Biology for Rochester Institute of Technology, and MS and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from the Center for Cardiovascular Sciences at Albany Medical College. His academic research focused on the development and optimization of methodology required evaluate depolymerization hyaluronan following ischemia reperfusion in skeletal muscle. Outside the office, he enjoys time with his family and pets, home projects, volunteering within the community, skiing, and skating.

Brandy VanBuskirk has been at Bionique for over 20 years. She started as a Mycoplasma technician, taking on QC functions back in the early 2000’s before making the dive into Quality full time in 2013. Brandy received an AAS in Ecology and Environmental Technology from Paul Smiths College and a BS in Environment Science with a Minor in Organic Chemistry from Plattsburgh State University. Brandy’s hobbies include boating, swimming, fishing, gardening, cooking, and canning the fruits and vegetables that she grows and forages. She lives on a small hobby farm with her family that includes dogs, cats, fish, rabbits, ducks, chickens, heritage breed turkeys, guinea fowl and a peahen.