Crystal Winkeler

Crystal Winkeler, PhD, joined the BioGenerator team as Managing Director of BioGenerator Ventures in 2022. She focuses on building and investing in biopharma companies. Prior to this role, Crystal was COO and Vice President of R&D of Canopy Biosciences, a Bruker Company (Nasdaq: BRKR). Crystal co-founded Canopy Biosciences and was instrumental in the growth of the company, including PE-backed acquisitions of both Zellkraftwerk, GmbH and Core Diagnostics, LLC. She led efforts in fundraising, technology sourcing and licensing, commercialization, operations, and business development. At the time that she joined BioGenerator, Crystal led a large international team across four sites. Crystal also brings experience in life science investing from her time as a VC Fellow and Senior Analyst with BioGenerator Ventures. During her initial tenure with the team, she participated in multiple investments, including Arch Oncology, Confluence Life Sciences (trading as NASDAQ: ACRS), Immunophotonics, Benson Hill (NYSE: BHIL), CoverCress, and Medibeacon. Additionally, Crystal has spent time speaking to various student groups about entrepreneurship and judging pitch competitions. Crystal holds a PhD in Molecular Cell Biology from Washington University in St. Louis, where her research focused on analyzing the genetics of a mouse model for studying osteoclasts and the role of the ARF tumor suppressor in post-mitotic cells. She was also active in student-led organizations working with investment groups and entrepreneurs. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, playing board games, euchre, and traveling.