Our story

The Spark:

Despite Frederick’s reputation as a biotech hub, Dr. Vanya Paralanov, a scientist and homeschooling parent, noticed a missing link. Local students had no access to professional laboratories or guidance in emerging fields like engineering biology. To find a public MakerSpace or community lab, residents had to drive over an hour.

The Vision:

Drawing on her bioengineering career at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), Dr. Paralanov envisioned more than just the community lab. She saw an interdisciplinary "maker-campus"—a place where biotechnology, electronics, 3D printing and other specialized MakerSpaces within the same building work together to enable cross-disciplinary learning and projects.

Building the Foundation (2024):

CELLS began as a mission-driven pilot. CELLS founder, Dr. Paralanov, authored the core curricula and safety frameworks, personally providing the primary capital equipment from her professional collection. Supported by her family’s donations, corporate matching, and student fees, the organization established a model of financial independence and community focus.

Growth & Partnership (2025):

In 2025, the dedicated CELLS laboratory opened its doors through a strategic partnership with FITCI (Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc.). This physical home was outfitted with Dr. Paralanov’s capital equipment and vital donations from local companies like BridgePath Scientific and LabEnterprises, Inc.

Our Commitment to Excellence:

Today, CELLS is governed by an independent Board of Directors composed of industry professionals from Thermo Fisher Scientific, AstraZeneca, Mycologics, and Google. Serving in their individual capacities, they ensure that CELLS operates independently with the highest standards of transparency and technical integrity. Their expertise also serves in vetting our curricula and safety protocols as well as forming our Institutional Biosafety Committee.

We remain Frederick’s primary hub for community-based science and bio-literacy.