We are a team of scientists with diverse backgrounds and decades of experience in plant pathology, materials science, sustainable agriculture, multinational project management and business development.
Dr. Tahira Pirzada
Dr. Pirzada is the President an Chief Executive Officer of Soteria Formulations. An accomplished scientist with a Ph.D. in Chemistry, she brings over 15 years of teaching, mentoring, and leadership experience, alongside nearly a decade of research and project management expertise in sustainable delivery systems for agriculture. Since 2016, Dr. Pirzada has been a key contributor to Soteria's foundational technology focusing on controlled delivery technologies to enhance food security in Africa. Driven by a passion for sustainability and innovation, she holds two patents and has authored 35 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals such as Advanced Materials, Advanced Functional Materials, Nature Sustainability, and Nature Food.
Richard H. Guenther
Mr. Guenther is the Secretary and Chief Technology Officer of Soteria Formulations. With a background in materials science and plant pathology, he brings over 30 years of research and project management experience at North Carolina State University. He has co-authored more than 50 scientific publications and holds eight patents. He has been deeply involved in developing the foundational technology behind Soteria, contributing to the foundati from its inception. Beyond his work with Soteria, he has played key roles in the commercialization of two additional technologies. Recently retired from NCSU, Dick now dedicates more time to advancing Soteria’s commercialization efforts and technology leadership.
Professor Charles H. Opperman
Dr. Charles H. Opperman is Soteria formulations' technical advisor and a Professor of Entomology and Plant Pathology at North Carolina State University, with over 40 years of experience spanning higher education, research and development, and industry. A recognized leader in the field of nematology, he has authored over 100 publications and holds six patents. Over the past decade, Dr. Opperman has spearheaded efforts to develop sustainable crop protection strategies, including serving as Principal Investigator for a Gates Foundation-funded project aimed at enhancing food security in Africa. His work has focused on the controlled delivery of ultra-low volumes of nematicides to combat plant-parasitic nematodes, with successful field applications in key crops such as yam, cassava, potato, sweet potato, and banana.
Professor Saad A. Khan
Dr. Saad A. Khan is Soteria Formulations' technical advisor. An INVISTA Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at North Carolina State University, Khan has over 30 years of research and mentoring experience, he has authored more than 280 publications and holds 16 patents. Dr. Khan’s research focuses on soft solids — including gels, colloids, and associative networks — with significant contributions to the development of controlled and targeted release systems for agricultural actives such as agrochemicals and agbiologicals across foliar, soil, and seed treatment applications.
Dr. Howard Glicksman
Dr. Howard Glicksman is a retired DuPont Fellow, successful entrepreneur, and active startup investor. He serves as Soteria Formulations' Business Consultant and has supported the team’s customer discovery and commercialization efforts since 2022. Howard earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Purdue University and spent 40 years in industry, including more than three decades at DuPont. After retiring, he founded Evotus International (now Urban Metals) in 2017. An active investor, Howard is a member of RTP Capital, IMAF-RTP, and Cofounders Capital Fund, with investments in over 20 startups. He also mentors early-stage entrepreneurs through the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) Venture Mentoring Service and NC State University's TEC and I-Corps programs, generously sharing his business and commercialization expertise.
Professor Lokendra Pal
Dr. Lokendra Pal is Soteria's scientific advisor and the EJ Woody Rice Professor and University Faculty Scholar in Sustainable Materials and Paper Science at NC State University. With over 23 years of global experience advancing bio-based materials and collaborating with industry, he previously spent nine years at Hewlett-Packard leading R&D initiatives. Dr. Pal has authored 70 peer-reviewed publications, holds 48 patents, and earned his Ph.D. from Western Michigan University. A certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Dr. Pal directs NC State’s Paper Pilot Plant–Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center and co-founded the Tissue Pack Innovation Lab. Recognized as a TAPPI Fellow and an NC State Outstanding Teacher, he leads national initiatives to decarbonize the forest products sector through smart manufacturing and electrification. His research group focuses on sustainable materials, smart packaging, barrier coatings, and digital manufacturing technologies that drive environmental and societal impact.
Dr. Natarajan Balachander
Dr. Balachander is an agricultural technology consultant and retired AgTech business development executive with over 25 years of global experience spanning the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of innovative agricultural technologies. His expertise includes biological products (biostimulants, biopesticides), crop protection solutions, seed treatments, and advanced polymer technologies, across both specialty and broad-acre crop markets. At Soteria Formulations, Dr. Balachander serves as a Technical Advisor, supporting the commercialization of sustainable agricultural solutions. He brings deep experience guiding new technologies from concept through manufacturing, partner development, technology transfer, and market launch.