Trusted Biotechnology Experts

Achal Shah is VP of Strategic Development at Monetrey Mushrooms, a food and biotech company in the agriculture space, and a published contributor to AgFunderNews. With over 10 years of experience at the intersection of food, agriculture, and innovation, Achal has advised leading agribusinesses at McKinsey & Company and served as Global Strategy Lead and Chief of Staff to the CEO at RiceTec, a global seed company operating across the U.S., India, and Brazil. He has led strategies spanning seed genetics, sustainable farming, agri-biotech commercialization, digital transformation, and M&A — and spearheaded a multi-continent initiative to drive hybrid rice adoption that reduced methane emissions, cut water consumption, and improved profitability for smallholder farmers. Achal holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a Master’s in Design Innovation from Northwestern University. He is available to comment on agribusiness strategy, agricultural biotech, food system innovation, sustainable farming, and emerging trends shaping the global agriculture industry.

Dr. Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology at North Dakota State University, internationally recognized for his pioneering work at the intersection of digital epidemiology, pharmacovigilance, and artificial intelligence. His research harnesses advanced statistical modeling and AI to track and predict health behaviors, medication safety, and disease patterns in real time—bridging traditional epidemiology with next-generation digital health analytics. Dr. Bhagavathula has published more than 250 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, including Annals of Epidemiology, JAMA Network Open, and Lancet Digital Health. His work has been widely cited and featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times, where he discussed the real-world safety of GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro). Recognized among the Stanford–Elsevier Top 2% of Scientists (2019–2024) and elected as a Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology, Dr. Bhagavathula is known for translating complex data into actionable insights that shape public health policy and clinical practice. His ongoing projects include NIH- and NSF-aligned initiatives on AI-powered overdose forecasting, digital twins for public health, and real-world drug safety surveillance using explainable machine learning. With a decade of experience spanning more than two dozen countries and collaborations with organizations such as WHO, USAID, and UNICEF, Dr. Bhagavathula brings a global, data-driven, and human-centered approach to solving modern health crises.

Food Research Lab is a Global Advanced Contract Research, Development and Pilot Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) that provides solutions to the Food, Beverage, Nutraceuticals, cosmeceutical, Pet food & Agriculture sectors worldwide.

Emanuele Andreano is an immunologist and biotech innovator redefining how vaccines are discovered for pandemic threats. As Head of Serology and Immunology at the Fondazione Biotecnopolo di Siena and a leader in the European Vaccine Hub, he works at the intersection of AI, immunology, and global health. He pioneered Reverse Vaccinology 3.0, a breakthrough approach that can identify entirely new vaccine targets in days instead of years. In a first-of-its-kind demonstration, his team showed that artificial intelligence can predict unknown viral antigens directly from human antibody sequences—effectively reversing the traditional vaccine discovery process. His work spans monoclonal antibody discovery and next-generation vaccines against emerging pathogens, including mpox and SARS-CoV-2, with direct implications for global pandemic preparedness and biosecurity. Andreano has received international recognition, including the Antonio Feltrinelli Prize from the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, awarded in the presence of the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, the IUIS Rising Star in Immunology, and a European Research Council (ERC) grant. He also co-directs a vaccinology program at the Institut Pasteur in Paris. “We are entering an era where vaccines can be discovered at unprecedented speed—transforming our ability to fight pandemics and save countless lives.”

AI meets biotech — straight from Zug, Switzerland Get the latest AI news, learn must-know AI tools, and keep up with Biotech news in just 5 minutes a week. Join our readers growing their careers with the AIxBiotech newsletter. Founded by executives who have led global biotech and tech teams, AIxBiotech is on a mission to make AI practical for themodern biotech office. In just a few months, we’ve attracted a fast-growing audience of biotech professionals and innovation leaders — from early-stage founders to Fortune 500 executives. Our readers span Europe and North America, with a strong base in the U.S. and Switzerland. We’re building organically, one engaged reader at a time — with the ambition to reach 500K professionals within our first year.

I entered the hemp space at the very beginning when there were almost no guardrails, no industry playbook, and very few operators who truly understood what it took to formulate something that actually worked. Hemp-derived flower and hemp wellness products were barely a category. What existed was largely untested, poorly sourced, and built around novelty rather than need. From day one, our approach was different purpose before profit, formulation before marketing, and a deep belief that every formulation should serve a real purpose. At JustKana, I oversee product development, quality control, and sourcing from the ground up. That means building relationships directly with small-batch organic hemp farms, evaluating raw material quality before it ever reaches a formulation stage, and ensuring every finished product meets both our internal standards and third-party lab verification. My work lives at the intersection of plant science and consumer wellness. I specialize in cannabinoid formulation for real therapeutic outcomes sleep support, chronic pain relief, anxiety management, and inflammation using full-spectrum hemp extracts that preserve the natural compound profile of the plant rather than isolating single ingredients. Over the years I've helped develop products that have made a measurable difference for thousands of people veterans managing PTSD, seniors dealing with chronic joint pain, and individuals looking to replace pharmaceutical sleep aids with something cleaner and plant-derived. That direct connection to consumer outcomes shapes every formulation decision I make. I understand the hemp supply chain from soil to finished product cultivation practices, extraction methods, cannabinoid and terpene profiles, and how sourcing decisions downstream directly impact what a customer experiences. In a space flooded with white-labeled, mass-produced products, that depth of knowledge is rare.

Authentic technology recruitment leader with expertise in executive talent acquisition and building high performance recruitment teams, primarily within the tech/digital/creative disciplines.

James Bean is a pioneering cannabis industry expert and Founding CEO of Seeds Here Now, the longest continuously operating seed bank in the United States with 15 years of proven leadership. Since 2010, Bean has built an industry-leading catalog featuring 3,500+ strains from 80+ world-class breeders, establishing Seeds Here Now as the premier destination for authentic cannabis genetics. With a Plant Science degree from Oaksterdam University and 15 years specializing in cannabis genetics, Bean brings unparalleled expertise in breeder verification, genetic authenticity, and cultivation science. His knowledge spans feminized, regular, and autoflower seed production, pheno-hunting, breeding practices, and strain lineage documentation. Bean's industry authority is demonstrated through extensive media presence on major cannabis podcasts including The Adam Dunn Show (as "James Bean Man on the Scene"), The Dude Grows Show, The Pot Cast, and Grow Bud Yourself Podcast. He has personally vended at hundreds of cannabis trade shows including High Times Cannabis Cups and Canna Con events, and serves as a cannabis competition judge. As a heavy cannabis consumer with decades of personal experience, Bean possesses exceptional first-hand knowledge of strain effects and quality assessment. His business has served thousands of satisfied customers with germination guarantees and transparent practices, earning recognition including the 2023 Leafly Seed Bank Hall of Fame honor and Forbes media coverage. Bean actively supports cannabis community causes, mentors emerging businesses, and contributes educational content through articles and podcast appearances. His direct relationships with renowned breeders like TH Seeds, Exotic Genetics, La Plata Labs, Snow High Seeds, and Dominion Seed Company underscore his trusted position as the "#1 U.S. Broker of High Quality Cannabis Genetics." Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Bean continues to shape cannabis breeding trends, preserve rare genetics, and advance industry professionalism while maintaining Seeds Here Now's position as America's most trusted source for authentic cannabis seeds.

With a PhD in molecular genetics and as a specialist in data science, Céline Chantry-Darmon has over twenty years of experience in biomedical research and complex data analysis. As Scientific Director at Tekkare, she works on developing trustworthy artificial intelligence for healthcare. She is also committed to promoting inclusive and responsible artificial intelligence, and to advancing women in science and technology.

Dr. James Utley is a pioneering scientist at the forefront of cellular therapy, AI, and data science. A Johns Hopkins-educated Immunohematology expert and Certified Advanced Biotherapies Professional (CABP), he also holds advanced certifications in data science and machine learning. While serving as Technical Director at a major healthcare organization, Dr. Utley oversaw more than 150,000 successful cellular transfusions and spearheaded advancements that significantly improved patient outcomes. This experience included leading initiatives for the Department of Defense, where he revolutionized cellular transfusion practices. His innovative approach is further exemplified by his FDA-approved work and numerous publications in leading scientific journals. Dr. Utley is also known for his bold, hands-on approach to research, embodying the spirit of a "biohacker" by pushing the boundaries of CRISPR and genetic engineering through self-experimentation. This unique blend of rigorous scientific training and unconventional methods has earned him the moniker "the pirate" within the biohacker community.

Founder of RawPickAI, an independent AI tool review platform that has tested 47+ AI tools hands-on. Every review follows a rigorous methodology: Hands-on testing before every review, transparent scoring across 5 dimensions (0-100 scale), and pricing shown in both USD and INR. RawPickAI is one of the only AI review platforms built with the Indian market in mind, making it a go-to resource for founders, students, and professionals evaluating AI tools on a budget. I write about AI tool comparisons, pricing trends, and practical adoption strategies — particularly for emerging markets.

Abdullah is a Vice President of Engineering at Folio3 and heading the Human Health…

David Selakovic is the CEO and President of Vegalab SA, a Swiss biotech advancing natural solutions for global food systems. Under his leadership, Vegalab develops high-performance biologicals and specialty inputs that help growers boost yield and quality while shrinking chemical footprints and protecting pollinators. The company’s platforms—micronization, nano-encapsulation, and in-vivo cultivation of beneficial microorganisms—are engineered to match the efficacy and usability of synthetics, with sustainability built in from the start. Headquartered in Switzerland with a growing international footprint, Vegalab supports farmers, distributors, and innovators across regions with rapid product development and field-level support, and maintains a commitment to carbon-neutral operations and FSC-certified communications. Selakovic speaks frequently on scaling biologicals, translating lab breakthroughs to farm outcomes, and building resilient, zero-residue value chains.

I’m Abhisheik Anand, Founder & CEO of Skill Bud Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a technology and innovation company that builds future-ready digital solutions. I lead ventures including Get Digital, Beardy Nerd, Grow My Hospital, and Generative Crafts - each created to bridge creativity, technology, and human behavior. I’m also a published author of the B2B book Cracking the Underneath, written to help businesses grow in the modern market era. Over the years, I’ve authored thousands of articles and currently write a weekly column at The Daily Guardian, sharing thought-leadership insights on technology, human behavior, and business transformation. My mission is to help businesses innovate, engage, and grow through data, design, and empathy - exploring the intersection where logic meets emotion, and innovation meets impact.

Cosmetic chemist that has been formulating self-care products since 2015.

Founder of IngredientMD, a supplement intelligence platform powdered by most clinical data available. What's important, we communicate in language humans will understand instead. It all starts from individual ingredients instead of product name, claims, and anything else. Product is what's inside instead of what perception is being made. In our analysis of 500+ supplement products, we found 42% had at least one key ingredient below clinically studied doses. I focus on bringing evidence-based analysis to consumer supplement decisions.

Rachit Lohani is a technology and product executive with deep experience scaling enterprise SaaS platforms and building high-performing global teams. He has served in senior leadership roles across engineering and product, most recently as Chief Product and Technology Officer, driving large-scale transformation across platform architecture, operating models, and delivery quality. Across his career, Rachit has helped companies grow through critical inflection points—scaling revenue, expanding internationally, and modernizing product portfolios to serve enterprise customers with high reliability and security expectations. He has led organizations through periods of rapid growth, M&A integration, and long-term platform modernization while maintaining a strong focus on customer outcomes and execution discipline. Rachit brings a product-led mindset grounded in strong financial acumen, operational rigor, and a belief in building durable systems rather than short-term fixes. He has worked at and with category-defining companies including Paylocity, Atlassian, and Intuit,AOL and is known for building leaders, raising the bar on engineering quality, and aligning technology strategy tightly with business goals. He is based in California and remains deeply interested in AI-native platforms, enterprise software, and building organizations that consistently deliver on their promises to customers.

MD. Shinha Sarder is known as the Founder & CEO of IT Tech BD and Biostar who born on 5 November , 2004. He also known as an Engineer, Developer, Entrepreneur, Musical Artist, Author, Researcher, YouTuber and Content Creator. He regularly upload Content in YouTube, Facebook and other social media. He is a regular student at Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) program in the Northern University of Businesses and Technology, Khulna. He was a former student of Khulna Zilla School. His father (MD. Lutfor Rahaman) is a lawyer. His mother (Samima Sultana) is a private sector employee. He born into a Muslim family in Shirgati village, Aichgati UnionParishad, Khulna.

Ganesh Ariyur is a global enterprise technology executive and a Top 100 Digital Adoption Leader for 2025. He is known for delivering more than $500M in measurable enterprise value through large-scale digital transformation, enterprise systems modernization, cloud strategy, artificial intelligence adoption, data governance, & enterprise architecture leadership. His work spans more than 90 countries across Fortune 500 organizations, private-equity owned companies, and highly regulated industries. Ganesh serves as the Global Head of Enterprise Technology Strategy and Transformation at Gainwell Technologies, a $3B healthcare technology organization. He directs modernization programs across SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Cloud ERP, PeopleSoft, cloud platforms on AWS and Azure, enterprise applications, reporting and analytics, generative AI, intelligent automation, enterprise architecture, IT governance, and cybersecurity, aligned with operating models. His programs have delivered multi-million-dollar cost savings. He has directed enterprise portfolios valued at more than $1B. He has unified 450-plus legacy systems, led technology programs supporting more than $30B in M&A value, and guided organizations through complex TSA exits and carve-outs. Ganesh brings deep expertise in artificial intelligence-enabled operating models, multi-ERP modernization including SAP S/4 HANA, Oracle Cloud, & Workday, cloud strategy and FinOps, enterprise architecture, data, infrastructure, cybersecurity improvement, data quality & analytics modernization, robotic process automation & intelligent automation, shared services/global business services, organizational design, and long-term value creation. His people-process-technology approach led to his being named a Global Top 100 Digital Adoption Leader. He is a Certified AI Business Transformation Practitioner & a Certified Technology Innovation Practitioner. He is also a member of the Forbes Technology Council. He was publicly recognized for global transformation leadership when he was featured on billboards across Germany during a major enterprise program at Bayer. Ganesh is known for partnering with boards, CEOs, CFOs, & private equity operating teams. He aligns technology strategy with growth objectives, cost discipline, compliance needs, & long-term enterprise value. Based in Atlanta, he is regarded as a CIO leader who turns complexity into clarity and who consistently converts technology investment into measurable business outcomes.

Vinothkumar Kolluru is a Senior Data Scientist at Fractal Analytics with 9+ years of experience in NLP, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning. He builds AI-driven solutions that improve customer experience and decision-making, with a focus on customer segmentation, friction detection, and digital journey optimization for large-scale web platforms. He has delivered end-to-end models across tech, healthcare, and marketing—ranging from NLP-based document summarization and topic categorization to predictive analytics—using transformer architectures (e.g., BERT), sequence models, and classical ML. Vinoth has also led analytics initiatives such as call categorization for healthcare contact centers and relevance modeling to improve campaign targeting and performance. A passionate researcher and contributor to the AI community, Vinoth has 50+ publications and 246 citations (h-index 9). He is recognized with the Dr. Abdul Kalam Young Achiever National Award and holds an MS in Data Science from Stevens Institute of Technology, along with a Gold Medal in Engineering from Anna University. His core toolkit includes Python, SQL, AWS, and Azure, and he enjoys translating complex data into practical, measurable business impact.