Sue Behrens, PhD

Sue Behrens joined KGI as the George B. and Joy Rathmann Professor in Bioprocessing and Director of the Amgen Bioprocessing Center, effective July 29, 2019. Prior to KGI, Behrens served as the Senior Director for Process Engineering at Integrated Project Solutions (IPS) in Blue Bell, PA. Within that role, she developed innovative and cost-effective solutions for complex research and manufacturing facilities within the life sciences industry.

Before the five years she spent at IPS, Behrens held progressive leadership positions with Merck & Co., Inc. for 20 years. Starting her career in technical operations supporting large-scale fermentation operations, she held positions of increasing responsibility in research and development, as well as capital team leadership.

Subsequently, she oversaw sterile process technology and engineering functions at Merck’s largest site, including the launch of four new products. She also led Merck-Schering Plough’s biologics science integration efforts. Ultimately, as Senior Director, Biologics Manufacturing Science & Commercialization, Behrens provided biologics manufacturing technology leadership at multiple development and manufacturing sites worldwide.

Behrens earned a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Michigan. She maintains affiliations with the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers, Women in Bio, and BioProcess International organizations.