Ajitha S. Cristie-David, PhD, PMP, is the Founder and CEO of Synovard Consulting, a multidisciplinary consulting group connecting organizations with experienced expertise across life sciences, biotechnology, data and AI, science, engineering, project management, and business strategy.
With a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Michigan and a background spanning scientific research, technology development, innovation, and project leadership, Ajitha brings a combination of deep technical knowledge, creative problem-solving, and strategic execution to complex challenges. She is also a Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds a Mini-MBA certificate in Accelerated Management development from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business.
Before founding Synovard, Ajitha served as a Staff Scientist within the Innovation Team in the Clinical Diagnostics Division at Bio-Rad Laboratories, where she worked across scientific, engineering, technical, and business functions to identify technology opportunities, support innovation initiatives, and lead complex development projects. Her experience spans protein design and engineering, microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, assay development, digital PCR, lyophilization, reagent and formulation development, hydrogel bead technologies, microfluidics, analytical characterization, data analysis, and diagnostic technology development.
She has led cross-functional initiatives from concept through development and validation, including projects involving technology development, formulation, innovation, and strategic evaluation. Her experience includes defining project scope and objectives, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, managing milestones and risks, and driving projects toward timely delivery. She has also contributed to technical due diligence for licensing opportunities and strategic partnerships.
Her scientific career began in academic research at the University of Michigan, where she developed expertise in protein engineering, molecular biology, protein design, biochemistry, and advanced analytical and biophysical characterization.
Ajitha founded Synovard with a simple vision: to bring talented people with diverse expertise together to solve meaningful problems. She believes that consulting can be more than providing advice, and it can create opportunities to combine knowledge across disciplines, accelerate innovation, advance science and technology, and help organizations turn ideas into real-world solutions.