We’re unlocking the potential of the indoor microbiome

Dr. Jessica Green is internationally recognized for her contributions to microbiome science and technology, with highly cited articles in Nature, Science, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. She co-founded the Biology and Built Environment Center at the University of Oregon and is on the Science Advisory Board at the Santa Fe Institute.

She has received numerous awards including a Blaise Pascal International Research Chair, a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, and a TED Senior Fellowship. Jessica received a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from UC Berkeley, an M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley, and a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UCLA.

Dr. Brad Taft is a biochemist with deep expertise in nucleic acid detection, qPCR assay development, next-generation sequencing and sample-to-answer systems product development. Most recently he was the Director of R&D at the MiNDERA Corp. where he developed microneedle devices for the capture of human transcriptome from skin. Prior to that he spent a decade working on next-generation sequencing platforms and highly-multiplexed qPCR assay formats.

Brad’s career has spanned from fabrication of nanostructured devices in an academic setting to customer field support of commercial sequencing products in foreign countries. While at NVS Technologies from 2010-2014, he was part of a team that developed a platform allowing for highly multiplexed rapid qPCR detection of viruses from nasal swab samples.

Brad received his PhD in chemistry from Boston College and his B.S. in chemistry from Florida State University. He conducted his Postdoctoral research in the department of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Toronto. His doctoral research focused on DNA capture-probe and nano-surface interactions for analytical applications.

Dr. Harrison Dillon is a pioneer and thought leader in industrial biotechnology. He has spent his career at the forefront of emerging biotechnology trends, first as a researcher during the height of the human genome project, then as a patent attorney, and primarily as an entrepreneur. His experience as an entrepreneur has spanned all phases, from garage startup through IPO and beyond, and many roles, from executive to in-house counsel to bench scientist. He is an inventor on over 50 patents and patent applications, and has authored articles in scientific, business, and legal journals.

Prior to Phylagen, Dr. Dillon co-founded Solazyme (NASDAQ:SZYM). He served as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Technology Officer and President from 2003 to 2013. Dr. Dillon was also an associate at the law firm Townsend and Townsend and Crew, and managed the biotechnology patent portfolio of the University of Utah in the University’s Technology Transfer Office.

Dr. Dillon received a Ph.D. in Genetics from University of Utah, a J.D. from Duke University School of Law, and a B.S. in Biology from Emory University.