Dr. Carmen Banks is the Founder and CEO of MelanInScience, a workforce development organization dedicated to creating pathways for underrepresented students and early-career professionals in biotech. She is also a PHD trained cell and molecular biologist with over a decade of experience in genome engineering and antibody discovery across academic research and biotech startups. Through MelanInScience, Carmen blends her industry knowledge with a mission- driven approach, leading initiatives that combine industry exposure, structured education, and employer partnerships to close equity gaps in STEM. Her work focuses on building sustainable, community-rooted programs that expand access to biotech careers for historically excluded groups.