by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Jennifer Doudna – Co-discoverer of CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing: A biochemist at the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Doudna and her colleague Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier were awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking work in developing the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology.
Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier – Microbiologist and Geneticist: Alongside Dr. Doudna, Dr. Charpentier’s discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 system has revolutionized genetic engineering. She currently heads the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens in Germany.
Dr. Feng Zhang – Core Institute Member, Broad Institute: A major figure in the CRISPR community, Zhang was among the first to adapt CRISPR-Cas9 for genome editing in eukaryotic cells, broadening its applicability in therapeutic research.
Dr. George Church – Professor, Harvard Medical School: An iconic figure in genomics, Church’s work includes developing methods to edit genes in human cells. His contributions stretch from sequencing technologies to gene therapy and gene editing.
Dr. Prashant Mali – Biomedical Engineer, UC San Diego: Mali collaborated with Church to showcase the potential of CRISPR for multiplex gene editing. He continues to explore the therapeutic and experimental potentials of CRISPR.
Dr. J. Keith Joung – Associate Chief of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital: A prominent figure in the gene-editing world, Joung’s lab focuses on refining and expanding the capabilities of CRISPR and other gene-editing technologies.
Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou – Professor, North Carolina State University: Known as the “CRISPR Chef”, Barrangou focuses on the applications of CRISPR in bacteria, especially its role in bacterial immunity and its application in food industries.
Dr. Virginijus Siksnys – Biochemist, Vilnius University: Siksnys independently discovered the CRISPR-Cas9 system around the same time as Doudna and Charpentier. His work delves deep into the mechanistic aspects of the system.
Dr. Jacob Corn – Scientific Director, ETH Zurich: His lab explores the biology and application of genome editing in human cells. Corn’s work emphasizes both fundamental biological questions and translational applications.
Dr. Rachel Haurwitz – President & CEO, Caribou Biosciences: Once a student of Dr. Doudna, Haurwitz co-founded Caribou Biosciences, focusing on the drug development and agricultural applications of CRISPR technology.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Francis Collins – Director, National Institutes of Health (NIH): Former leader of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Collins continues to champion genomic research. Under his direction, NIH has launched significant initiatives in precision medicine and genomic data sharing.
Dr. Eric Topol – Founder, Scripps Research Translational Institute: A cardiologist by training, Dr. Topol has become a leading advocate for personalized medicine. His influential books delve into the future of medicine, emphasizing the patient’s central role in this era of genomics and digital health.
Dr. Anne Wojcicki – Co-founder and CEO, 23andMe: Wojcicki’s 23andMe brought direct-to-consumer genetic testing into the mainstream. The platform not only offers ancestry insights but also health risk assessments, fueling discussions about the democratization of genomic data.
Dr. George Church – Professor, Harvard & MIT: A pioneer in both genomics and synthetic biology, Dr. Church’s work encompasses developing new sequencing methods, exploring gene editing tools, and advancing genomic data storage solutions.
Dr. Jennifer Doudna – Biochemist, UC Berkeley: Co-discoverer of the revolutionary gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9, Doudna’s work holds profound implications for personalized medicine, from curing genetic disorders to advancing cancer therapies.
Dr. Craig Venter – Biotechnologist & Entrepreneur: Venter’s strides in genomics range from sequencing the first draft of the human genome to creating synthetic life. His organizations, like the J. Craig Venter Institute and Human Longevity Inc., explore the genomic underpinnings of health and longevity.
Dr. Elaine Mardis – Co-executive Director, Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children’s Hospital: Mardis has been instrumental in applying next-generation sequencing to cancer genomics, offering insights into tumor evolution, mechanisms, and treatment strategies.
Dr. Leroy Hood – Chief Strategy Officer, Co-founder, Institute for Systems Biology: A visionary in biotech, Dr. Hood is credited with developing automated DNA sequencing. His systems approach to biology underscores the interplay of genes, proteins, and metabolism, fostering personalized medicine’s growth.
Dr. Atul Butte – Director, Institute for Computational Health Sciences, UCSF: Focusing on transforming billions of molecular, clinical, and epidemiological data points into diagnostics, therapeutics, and insights, Butte stands at the vanguard of health data-driven personalized medicine.
Dr. Sekar Kathiresan – CEO, Verve Therapeutics: A leading geneticist, Dr. Kathiresan’s work revolves around the genetics of cardiovascular diseases. He has identified several genetic variants associated with heart disease risk, driving forward precision medicine approaches to cardiovascular health.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Tim Cook – CEO of Apple: With the announcement of Apple Music’s virtual events, Apple has delved into offering exclusive virtual concerts, showing their commitment to enhancing the digital music experience for users worldwide.
Michelle Jubelirer – CEO of Capitol Music Group: Jubelirer’s guidance has seen artists and labels under CMG pivot to virtual events, maintaining fan engagement during times when traditional concerts are challenging.
Merck Mercuriadis – Founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund: Recognizing the power of digital music rights in the virtual age, Mercuriadis has been instrumental in orchestrating virtual events that highlight the significance of songwriters and producers.
Pasquale Rotella – Founder of Insomniac: As the force behind Electric Daisy Carnival and other events, Rotella’s Insomniac has organized several virtual raves, marrying immersive visuals with electrifying beats, reaching audiences globally.
Benji Rogers – Co-founder of Dot Blockchain Media: An early advocate for blockchain in the music world, Rogers has explored how technology can facilitate virtual events, ensuring fair payouts for artists and an enhanced experience for fans.
Jade Kurian – Co-founder of Lively: Lively’s platform allows artists to effortlessly turn live performances into purchasable content. In the age of virtual concerts, Kurian’s endeavors provide musicians with innovative revenue streams.
Brandon Echter – Engagement Editor at Quartz: Beyond music, Echter has curated and organized virtual events on topics from business to technology. His expertise underscores the potential of virtual gatherings for information dissemination and global engagement.
Shawn Gee – President of Live Nation Urban: Under Gee’s leadership, Live Nation Urban has been pivotal in curating virtual concert experiences for urban music genres, offering unique online events with high production value.
Katie Bain – Director of Billboard Dance: Recognizing the potential of virtual events in the electronic music domain, Bain has been at the forefront of discussions on how the EDM industry is adapting to the digital shift.
Cathy Hackl – Futurist & AR/VR Expert: With her finger on the pulse of emerging technologies, Hackl’s insights into how augmented and virtual reality can enhance virtual concerts make her a vital voice in the evolution of virtual events.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Horace Luke – The founder and CEO of Gogoro, a company known for its electric scooters and swappable battery infrastructure. Luke’s vision is driving electric two-wheelers mainstream in several global cities, emphasizing sustainability and smart energy consumption.
Tara Pham – Co-founder and CEO of Numina, Pham is dedicated to making cities more responsive, beginning with smarter mobility. Her expertise in data has given insights into urban cycling trends and the evolving landscape of e-bikes.
Assaf Biderman – Founder of Superpedestrian, a transportation robotics company, and the innovator behind the Copenhagen Wheel, an electric assist bicycle wheel. Biderman’s approach to e-bike technology merges urban efficiency and tech-forward design.
Stefan Ytterborn – As the founder of CAKE, Ytterborn’s electric dirt bikes are pushing boundaries in e-mobility, showcasing the performance capabilities of electric vehicles in both on-road and off-road conditions.
Euwyn Poon – Co-founder of Spin, the dockless electric scooter sharing company acquired by Ford, Poon’s insights on micro-mobility and urban transport have reshaped how city-dwellers move around.
Ben Tarassoli – CEO of Swagtron, a leading brand in e-rides from electric scooters to e-bikes and hoverboards. Tarassoli’s commitment to affordability and accessibility has expanded the consumer base for electric two-wheelers.
Colin Roche – Co-founder of Swiftmile, Roche is working on infrastructure for shared e-bikes and e-scooters. His work focuses on the bigger picture of urban mobility, considering how these vehicles fit into broader transportation systems.
Storm Sondors – Founder of SONDORS Electric Bikes, he raised funds through one of the most successful Indiegogo campaigns ever. Sondors aims to produce high-quality e-bikes at a fraction of the traditional cost, making e-biking accessible to a broader audience.
Sanjay Dastoor – The co-founder of Boosted Boards, which expanded into electric scooters, Dastoor’s knowledge on electric personal mobility and his insights on the engineering challenges and solutions are invaluable to anyone interested in the e-bike and e-scooter world.
Julie Kronstrøm Carton – Co-founder of MATE bike, a foldable e-bike startup that became a crowdfunding sensation. Carton’s understanding of market needs and innovative design has put her at the forefront of the e-bike revolution.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Frank Yiannas – Currently serving as the Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy & Response at the U.S. FDA, Dr. Yiannas is a global authority on food safety, traceability, and transparency. His work emphasizes the integration of modern technology to ensure food integrity.
Bill Marler – An accomplished food safety attorney, Marler has represented victims of nearly every major foodborne illness outbreak in the United States. He also pens the renowned Marler Blog, a leading resource on food safety.
Dr. Darin Detwiler – Holding a wealth of experience, Dr. Detwiler is a vocal advocate for policies and technologies enhancing food safety. He’s a regular contributor to several industry publications, educating about the challenges and solutions in food safety.
Tejas Bhatt – As the Senior Director for Global Food Safety Innovation at Walmart, Bhatt has been instrumental in advancing blockchain’s role in food traceability. His efforts have ushered in transparency and rapid response times in addressing food safety concerns.
Katy Jones – At FoodLogiQ, Katy Jones champions end-to-end traceability and food safety technology solutions for global food brands. Her insights on integrating tech tools in the food safety paradigm are invaluable.
Dr. David Acheson – A former Associate Commissioner for foods at the FDA, Dr. Acheson is a leading figure in food safety risk assessment and management. He’s played a crucial role in bridging regulatory science with the food industry’s needs.
Bob Whitaker, Ph.D. – With vast experience in the produce industry, Dr. Whitaker’s work emphasizes advancing food safety practices in fields and processing facilities. His expertise is key in understanding pathogen contamination and prevention.
Bryan Hitchcock – Leading the Institute of Food Technologists’ (IFT) Global Food Traceability Center, Hitchcock’s endeavors focus on improving food product traceability and understanding its role in food safety and quality assurance.
Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D. – Vice President of Food Safety & Technology at United Fresh Produce Association, Dr. McEntire has spearheaded efforts on traceability standards and best practices, working closely with both industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies.
John Keogh – A seasoned expert in supply chain integrity and transparency, Keogh sheds light on the technology’s role, especially blockchain, in ensuring food traceability and authentication.
