Molecular Biology Professionals to Know 2025

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.

Jorge Gandara immigrated from Guatemala to New York in 1992 at the age of seven and exhibited a high proficiency in math and science throughout his childhood. This talent and interest eventually led Mr. Gandara to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and graduate in 2009 from Stony Brook University, where he also began his scientific career as a lab technician. Over the years, Jorge has held key roles in laboratories at prestigious institutions like Mirimus Inc., The Rockefeller University, and Dr. Christopher Mason’s lab at Weill Cornell Medicine, where he contributed to the PathoMAP project (now MetaSUB), mapping the DNA of every NYC subway station. In July of 2018, the Microbiome Core at Weill Cornell Medicine was established. Jorge built the Core from the ground up with a focus on high-throughput DNA processing, namely 16S Sequencing and Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing. Since the Core’s inception, Jorge has overseen the processing of nearly 17,000 samples from notable institutions across the United States and internationally and was appointed the Microbiome Core Manager in January 2024. His expertise in advanced sequencing techniques and the Microbiome Core’s white glove sample service make it one of the most successful and unique facilities in the field.