Lucas Lankford

Lucas Lankford is an accomplished professional in the biomanufacturing and process development sectors, currently serving as the Director of Downstream Process Development and Manufacturing at Ascend Advanced Therapies since April 2024. With prior experience as Director of Process Development and Manufacturing at Beacon Therapeutics and as a Senior Manager in Vaccines and Gene Therapy at Resilience, Lucas has managed teams and provided strategic planning for equipment and personnel. A former Senior Scientist at Ology Bioservices, Lucas developed downstream processes for viral and pDNA products and contributed to quality engineering at Medicago. Lucas's career began in the U.S. Army as a Protocol Specialist and Airborne Infantryman, showcasing strong leadership and organizational skills. Educational qualifications include a Master's in Business Administration focused on Biosciences Management, a Master's in Biomanufacturing, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology, all from North Carolina State University.