Our Leadership

Maria Cho is a seasoned executive with a proven track record in driving innovation and growth across diverse industries. With a strong foundation in scientific research and a deep understanding of the complexities of the biopharmaceutical sector, she has successfully led teams to develop and commercialize groundbreaking products.

Maria’s career began in the laboratory, where she focused on neurodegenerative disease research at Thomas Jefferson University. This early experience ignited a passion for scientific inquiry that has continued to shape her approach to business. Her subsequent roles at WuXi AppTec and FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies honed her expertise in business development, sales, and commercial strategy.

In recent years, Maria has demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to addressing global challenges. As Co-Founder and COO of Phi Therapeutics, she pioneered the world’s first probiotic skincare line. Currently, as CEO of TripleBar Bio, she is leading the charge in developing sustainable solutions for food and healthcare.

Maria holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Florida and a Master of Science in Biomedical Chemistry from Thomas Jefferson University. Her academic background, coupled with her extensive industry experience, positions her as a thought leader in the fields of biotechnology and sustainability.

Jeremy Agresti is a seasoned research and development leader with a deep expertise in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and biotechnology. As the Founder and CTO of Triplebar, a role he has held since January 2019, Agresti has successfully translated groundbreaking research into commercial products.

Prior to establishing Triplebar, he held progressively senior roles at Bio-Rad Laboratories from 2013 to 2019, culminating in the position of Vice President of R&D. His earlier contributions at Amyris Inc. focused on developing innovative high-throughput screening technologies for microbial production of hydrocarbons.
Agresti’s academic foundation is equally impressive. His postdoctoral research at Harvard University centered on pioneering droplet microfluidics for biotechnology, resulting in over ten patents and serving as the intellectual bedrock for multiple startups.

With a consistent track record of driving technical advancements, building high-performing teams, and delivering market-ready solutions, Agresti’s career is marked by a seamless transition from academic excellence to entrepreneurial success. He holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK and advanced degrees in Genetics from the University of California, Davis.

Shawn Manchester is a versatile executive with a strong foundation in both academia and industry. Currently serving as COO at Triplebar, he has demonstrated a progressive career trajectory, transitioning from research to product development and leadership roles.

Prior to his executive position, Manchester held strategic product roles at Zymergen, Inc., where he contributed to the development of innovative technologies. His earlier experiences as a postdoctoral associate at MIT and PhD candidate focused on fundamental research in chemical engineering and synthetic biology.

Manchester’s academic background includes a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Brown University and a Doctor of Philosophy in the same field from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His educational journey was complemented by teaching and research roles, further enhancing his leadership and technical expertise.

Amanda supports Triplebar’s most invaluable asset, our people. As Head of HR, she brings over 18 years’ experience in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Talent Management, Total Rewards, People Leadership, Coaching, and Business Process Improvement. Proficient in steering through high-growth environments, particularly in the Technology and Advertising industries, by nurturing a culture of innovation, development, and operational efficiency. Proven track record of collaborating with executive leadership to define organizational strategy, achieve both long-term and short-term goals, mitigate risks, and address HRIS system and employee performance concerns. Excellence demonstrated in conducting thorough client needs assessments to identify requirements and manage the entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to separation.

Amanda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz and a Master’s in Science and Organization Development from the University of San Francisco.

Christopher is a Partner at Scale LLP and serves as Triplebar’s Fractional General Counsel, supporting all of the company’s legal needs, including IP strategy and licensing. He dedicates his time to providing support to startups across life sciences, food and agriculture, and AI and ML, acting as a member of those leadership teams and providing strategic guidance on fundraising, M&A, strategic transactions, IP strategies, and general commercial and corporate matters. Christopher has 20+ years of legal and operational experience, including the $1B acquisition of The Climate Corporation, multiple other exits, and raising hundreds of millions of dollars for various startups.

Christopher has BSME and mathematics degrees from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law. Christopher has had prior associations with Brightloom, The Climate Corporation, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati P.C. and Carr & Farrell, LLP. He is a passionate surfer and ocean enthusiast who enjoys spending his free time with his family by the sea. Grewe is pronounced “grew∙ee.”