Dr. Stefanie Trop joins MCEDC as Vice President of Economic Competitiveness, bringing a multidisciplinary background spanning scientific research, data science, industry, and economic development. In this role, Stefanie will leadsMCEDC’s research and business intelligence efforts, using economic and market data to identify emerging trends, inform strategy, and help advance inclusive economic growth, business attraction, and retention across Montgomery County.

Previously, Stefanie served as Director of Life Sciences at the Maryland Department of Commerce, where she worked at the intersection of industry, innovation, and economic development to strengthen Maryland’s life sciences ecosystem. She led the Maryland Life Sciences Advisory Board, bringing together leaders from industry, academia, government, and the investment community to inform the state’s life sciences strategy. Stefanie also co-founded the Maryland MedTech Summit, a statewide event connecting the medical device and technology ecosystem, and led Maryland delegations to major industry trade shows.

During Stefanie’s tenure, Maryland’s life sciences ecosystem continued to build on its position as a national leader. The BioHealth Capital Region, spanning Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., has gained and retained its #3 ranking among U.S. biopharma clusters in the annual GEN assessment, which evaluates factors including patents, NIH funding, venture capital, laboratory space, and employment.

Stefanie began her career as a scientist, earning a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and conducting research in immunology and infectious disease at the Naval Medical Research Center, which brought her to Silver Spring. She later worked in data science focusing on biological datasets at Cytobank and Beckman Coulter, where she analyzed complex scientific datasets and helped organizations translate data into actionable insights.

This combination of scientific training, analytical expertise, industry experience, and economic development leadership provides a strong foundation for Stefanie’s work at MCEDC. In the VP role, she will focus on understanding the economic forces shaping Montgomery County and using data and forward-looking analysis to help the organization anticipate opportunities, address challenges, and strengthen the County’s competitive position.