by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Mark Post: Pioneering the space of cultured meat at Maastricht University, Dr. Post showcased the world’s first lab-grown burger. His research has paved the way for exploring meat production without animal farming.
Uma Valeti, M.D.: Co-founder and CEO of Memphis Meats, Valeti is steering the ship of one of the most promising cell-based meat companies. Their work aims to bring cultured meat products to commercial viability.
Pat Brown, Ph.D.: As the mind behind Impossible Foods, Brown has spearheaded the development of the Impossible Burger. This plant-based product has set a benchmark for taste, texture, and environmental efficiency in the alternative protein industry.
Ethan Brown: At the helm of Beyond Meat, Ethan Brown has overseen the introduction and commercial success of the Beyond Burger and other plant-based meat products, pushing the boundaries of taste and texture in the sector.
Dr. Lisa Dyson: Leading Air Protein, Dr. Dyson’s approach to alternative proteins is groundbreaking. The company is harnessing microbial fermentation to produce nutritious proteins literally from thin air.
Lou Cooperhouse: As the leader of BlueNalu, Cooperhouse is championing the cause of cell-based seafood. With concerns about overfishing and ocean sustainability, BlueNalu’s innovations could redefine seafood consumption.
Dr. Kate Krueger: With her expertise fueling New Harvest, a nonprofit dedicated to cellular agriculture advancements, Dr. Krueger plays a critical role in fostering research and innovations in the clean meat sector.
Josh Tetrick: As the CEO of JUST Inc., Tetrick has been instrumental in bringing to market a variety of plant-based and cultured food products. From mung bean-based eggs to cultured chicken, the company is expanding the alternative protein palette.
Isha Datar: Steering New Harvest as its Executive Director, Datar’s vision and efforts are focused on promoting the research and commercial trajectory of cell-based meats and other alternative protein sources.
Dr. Marie Gibbons: Working diligently at Orbillion Bio, Dr. Gibbons’ expertise centers on producing heritage meats via cellular agriculture. Her endeavors represent a fusion of tradition and futuristic food technology.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Jennifer Doudna: A co-recipient of the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Doudna’s pioneering work on the development of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system has revolutionized genetic research.
Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier: Alongside Doudna, Charpentier was awarded the Nobel for her role in the CRISPR breakthrough. Her studies provided key insights into the CRISPR system’s molecular mechanisms.
Dr. Feng Zhang: At the Broad Institute and MIT, Zhang has been a significant player in adapting CRISPR for use in mammalian cells, widening its application in biomedical research.
Dr. George Church: A professor at Harvard and MIT, Church’s work spans multiple areas of genetics, including gene editing and gene drives. He’s known for his efforts in genome sequencing and gene editing for therapeutics.
Dr. Virginijus Siksnys: Often considered the third, less-publicized pioneer of CRISPR, Siksnys independently discovered and described the CRISPR mechanism in parallel to Doudna and Charpentier.
Dr. Rodolphe Barrangou: Working on CRISPR’s natural bacterial immune functions, Barrangou’s insights have been foundational in understanding the broader CRISPR system.
Dr. Prashant Mali: A key collaborator with Zhang at MIT, Mali has been instrumental in adapting and refining CRISPR methodologies for varied applications, including gene drives.
Dr. J. Keith Joung: A researcher at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Joung’s work focuses on improving the precision and safety of CRISPR systems, ensuring they’re effective and safe for therapeutic use.
Dr. Jacob Corn: As the Scientific Director of the Innovative Genomics Institute, Corn’s research addresses both the fundamental mechanisms of CRISPR systems and their therapeutic applications.
Dr. Jonathan Weissman: At the Whitehead Institute, Weissman has been pivotal in leveraging CRISPR for genome-wide screens, uncovering gene functions across different organisms.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Dr. Eric Lander: A principal leader of the Human Genome Project, Lander’s work at the Broad Institute has been instrumental in exploring genomic foundations of human health and disease.
Dr. Francis Collins: As the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and a leader in the Human Genome Project, Collins has played a crucial role in pushing genomics to the forefront of medicine.
Dr. Anne Wojcicki: Co-founder and CEO of 23andMe, Wojcicki has popularized direct-to-consumer genetic testing, offering insights into both ancestry and health.
Dr. George Church: A professor at Harvard and MIT, Church’s work spans genomics, gene editing, and gene sequencing. He’s renowned for his advancements in CRISPR and next-generation sequencing.
Dr. Jennifer Doudna: A Nobel laureate recognized for her pioneering work in developing the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system, Doudna’s research holds immense promise for personalized medicine.
Dr. Craig Venter: Known for sequencing the first human genome, Venter’s endeavors at the J. Craig Venter Institute and Human Longevity, Inc. focus on harnessing genomics for individualized health insights.
Dr. Leroy Hood: A leading voice in systems biology, Hood’s work at the Institute for Systems Biology emphasizes P4 medicine – predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory.
Dr. Atul Butte: As the director of the Institute for Computational Health Sciences at UCSF, Butte focuses on transforming billions of molecular, clinical, and epidemiological data points into diagnostics, therapeutics, and insights.
Dr. Elaine Mardis: Co-executive director of the Institute for Genomic Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Mardis is at the forefront of using genomics for cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Stephen Quake: A co-president of the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, Quake’s innovations in genomic technology have accelerated the field of personalized medicine, especially in non-invasive prenatal diagnostics.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Ben Goertzel: CEO of SingularityNET and Chief Scientist at Hanson Robotics, Goertzel is deeply involved in the convergence of AI and conversational agents. He played a role in the development of Sophia, the humanoid robot.
Tomasz Tunguz: A venture capitalist at Redpoint, Tunguz often shares insightful analyses on the business impact of chatbots, exploring their roles in enhancing customer experiences and operational efficiencies.
Bret Kinsella: Founder of Voicebot.ai, Kinsella provides detailed reports and analyses on the voice and chatbot industry, tracking its growth, innovations, and future trends.
Katie McMahon: As VP and GM at SoundHound Inc., McMahon’s insights into voice-enabled AI technologies are influential, especially regarding the integration of voice assistants in various devices and platforms.
Cathy Pearl: Head of Conversation Design Outreach at Google, Pearl is a leading figure in making voice assistants more natural and user-centric. Her book, “Designing Voice User Interfaces,” is a must-read in the field.
Dennis Mortensen: Founder of x.ai, an AI-driven personal assistant, Mortensen’s expertise lies in automating complex tasks using chatbots and offers valuable insights into real-world AI deployment.
Lauren Kunze: CEO of PandoraBots, a platform powering millions of chatbots, Kunze’s thoughts encompass both the technical and philosophical aspects of chatbot interactions.
Karen Kaushansky: With two decades of experience in voice and multimodal interfaces, Kaushansky offers a deep dive into the design and UX challenges of conversational agents.
Ravi N. Raj: As the CEO and co-founder of Passage AI, Raj is at the forefront of leveraging NLP in crafting natural and efficient chatbots, exploring their business and service potential.
Dave Isbitski: As Chief Evangelist for Alexa and Echo at Amazon, Isbitski is deeply immersed in the world of voice-first experiences, sharing insights on Alexa skill development and the future of voice tech.
by Ian Khan | Oct 10, 2023 | Futurist Blog
Chris Anderson: The CEO of 3D Robotics and former Editor-in-Chief of Wired, Anderson is a prominent figure in the drone community. His company develops open-source drone and UAV technologies suitable for various applications.
Romeo Durscher: As DJI’s Director of Public Safety Integration, Durscher is on the forefront of drones’ roles in emergency response, search and rescue operations, and more. His insights into drones for public safety are invaluable.
Helen Greiner: Co-founder of iRobot and founder of CyPhy Works, Greiner is a robotics and drone industry veteran. She’s been influential in creating drones for defense and security purposes.
Dr. Missy Cummings: One of the Navy’s first female fighter pilots and now a professor at Duke University, Cummings researches human-unmanned vehicle interaction, bringing an insightful perspective on integrating drones into the national airspace.
Jonathan Downey: Founder of Airware, a company that provides end-to-end drone solutions for commercial sectors. Downey’s vision emphasizes the importance of reliable systems for broad drone deployment.
Dr. Raffaello D’Andrea: A co-founder of Kiva Systems (now Amazon Robotics), D’Andrea’s work at ETH Zurich also encompasses the dynamic systems control of drones, leading impressive drone swarming demonstrations and pushing boundaries in drone capabilities.
Colin Guinn: As a partner at Guinn Partners and former CRO at 3D Robotics, Guinn has been a vocal advocate for drone technology, emphasizing its potential in industries like construction, cinematography, and agriculture.
Dr. Adam Watts: A researcher with the Desert Research Institute, Watts is renowned for his work on using drones for environmental research, from monitoring wildfires to assessing vegetation health.
Iris Automation’s Team: With a focus on collision avoidance systems, this company, founded by Alexander Harmsen and James Howard, is creating technologies to make drones safer and enhance autonomous operations.
Gary Mortimer: Editor of sUAS News, the oldest drone news platform, Mortimer keeps his finger on the pulse of all developments in the drone industry, from regulations to new tech innovations.
