Congratulations to Dallas SWE’s February/March Member of the Month, Cyonna Holmes!
Cyonna grew up in Dallas and attended The Hockaday School. She graduated from
Stanford University with a BS in Bioengineering. After college, Cyonna attended UT
Southwestern Medical Center where she graduated with a PhD in Biomedical
Engineering. Her dissertation research focused on perfusion solution optimization and
nanoparticle-mediated delivery of microRNA to the heart during heart transplant
surgery. While in graduate school, she co-founded and led The Association of African-
American Scientists, an organization focused on the recruitment and retention of
underrepresented students in STEM fields. In this role, she worked with a team to hold
High School STEM conferences, host speaker events, and organize seminars.
Cyonna is currently the Global Senior Manager of Marketing and Strategy for
Pharmaceutical Solutions at Celanese, where she leads ophthalmology strategy. She
works to develop and execute strategy for business growth and product market entry for
ocular implants into the pharmaceutical sector. Prior to this role, Cyonna was a Life
Sciences Consultant in Los Angeles at a Consulting Firm, L.E.K., where she advised
pharma, biotech, medical device, and healthcare companies on business strategy which
included M&A screening and due diligence, life cycle management strategy, market
entry, revenue opportunity analysis, and more.
As a previous Stanford Society of Women Engineers member, Girls Inc. Mentor, and
Big Brothers, Big Sisters Mentor, Cyonna has always been deeply passionate about
outreach and diversifying STEM fields. Cyonna quotes, “Since moving back to Dallas,
The Dallas Society of Women Engineers has been an exciting way to continue sharing
my love of science and engineering through outreach. The VP of Outreach, Rana, does
an amazing job of creating a supportive, welcoming environment where members feel
empowered to pursue and lead activities that interest them. If anyone is looking to get
more involved with Dallas Society of Women Engineers, I highly recommend joining the
outreach team. Volunteering is a great entry point into Dallas SWE!”
Cyonna is currently on the outreach committee where she serves as an activity lead for
The Girl Scouts Design Your World Event. She is also engaged with school and
community partnerships and book club.
