Our team
Elliott Notrica
Founder
Elliott is the founder and CEO of Symbio. He founded the company in 2020 from his passion for microbial fermentation. Elliott was a 2023 Future Founders Fellow, and a 2024 Amgen Scholar. He is a biology student at Illinois Wesleyan University, and his interests are in fungal metabolomics of A. oryzae and metagenomic analysis of polymicrobial ferments.
Favorite fermented food: Shoyu
Avery Powell
Chemtech lead
Avery is a senior chemistry major at Illinois Wesleyan Univeristy and the chemtech lead for Symbio. In addition to her work with Symbio, she conducts inorganic research focused on synthesizing air-sensitive heteroleptic transition metal complexes. She also spent last summer at the USDA-NCAUR synthesizing bio-based resins.
She has always had career goals of working in food science and green chemistry, and Symbio Bioculinary has allowed her to explore both of those ventures while also assisting clients in bettering their business ventures.
Favorite fermented food: Kombucha
Nick is the biotechnology lead at Symbio. He is a senior at Illinois Wesleyan University, majoring in biology with a minor in Political Science. He has run cross track and track field for 10+ years and doesn't plan to stop. His work includes microorganism research, selection and optimization across a variety of projects. After graduation, he plans to pursue a masters in epidemiology with interest in infectious diseases.
Favorite Fermented Food: Watermelon Kombucha
Nick Fisch
Biotech lead
Justin Doucette
Business Lead
Justin is a senior entrepreneurship major at Illinois Wesleyan Univeristy, and the business lead at Symbio. Justin’s diverse background spans multiple industries, highlighting his adaptability and leadership. His strategic marketing and entrepreneurial capabilities were further developed during his digital marketing internship at Sodexo, his tenure as a PR representative for IWU’s DTE Department, and as a co-founder of IWU Stickers.
Favorite Fermented Food: Yogurt
Andrew Lusk Esq.
Advisor
Mr. Lusk is an established executive, attorney and investor. As President of CL Holdings, Mr. Lusk pursues diverse opportunities across real estate, technology and healthcare. He previously served as President of Crown Holdings and Senior Vice President of Jamison Properties. He attended New York University School of Law and the University of Southern California.
Favorite fermented food: Liu Bao tea