Sarah Seagrave is a proficient researcher in biological engineering, holding a Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Georgetown University and currently studying for her PhD in Biological Engineering from The University of California, Santa Barbara. Her notable projects include developing genetic engineering tools for anaerobic gut microbes and hydrazine-producing organisms, as well as contributing to innovative diagnostic tests and assays for DNA damage assessment. Working as the sole Research Scientist for a biotech startup early in her career, where she developed prototypes which have lead to success for the company. With a track record of excellence in both academic and professional realms, Sarah continues to advance scientific knowledge and tackle key challenges in biological engineering.

Professor Claudia Vickers is a synthetic biologist with over 25 years’ experience in academia, government research, and industry. She has worked with Australian federal and state governments and NGOs to develop biotechnology policy and strategy, and often represents Australia in international fora. She was founding Chair of Synthetic Biology Australia, inaugural Director of CSIRO’s synthetic biology program, served on the Executive of the Global Biofoundries Alliance, provides advice to the OECD, and co-chaired the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Synthetic Biology. She has worked in start-ups and provided consulting to established international companies. She holds advisory board positions for Food Standards Australia New Zealand and numerous international synthetic biology initiatives, as well as holding editorial positions for international peer-reviewed journals. Professor Vickers' research focus is on engineering organisms to create sustainable replacements for food ingredients, industrial chemicals, and materials using precision fermentation. She is particularly interested in the metabolic regulation and engineering of the isoprenoid (terpenoid) group of natural products, which form a vast array of natural scents, and on development of synthetic biology tools to redirect carbon flux at different metabolic nodes.

Gigi Minsky is a seasoned professional in the sustainable biomaterials and biotechnology industry. As a former R&D member at two startups (Mycoworks, Checkerspot) listed in the Time Magazine nominated “Top GreenTech Companies of 2024), she holds expertise in early stage startups, R&D for bioprocess scale-up, AI in Biotech and B2B/B2C consumer synthetic biology. She holds a BA in Biology from UC Santa Barbara with an emphasis in computational biology and technology management. She has been invited to guest lecture in courses from institutions including Georgetown University and UC Santa Barbara. As a self taught perfumer, she also consults in the fine fragrance industry, and was an invitee of the first annual 2024 Paris Perfume Week sponsored by Nez Magazine.

Sebastian Cocioba is a self-taught scientist with a focus on flower morphology research. He runs a for-profit startup, New York Botanics, LLC, which provides consultation and wet-lab work for hire in the field of plant bioengineering. He also co-founded a non-profit, Binomica Labs, where he helps develop the software, hardware, wetware, and thoughtware necessary to help others explore the living world.

In addition to his work at New York Botanics, LLC, and Binomica Labs, Cocioba is a Founder in Residence at Deep Science Ventures. He has a background in plant biotechnology, with a focus on the production of commercially and industrially valuable plant species. His specialties include Micropropagation, Tissue Culture, and Plant Genetic Engineering.

Cocioba's unconventional path to becoming a scientist has been groundbreaking, and his hard-won lessons are helpful for other autodidacts as well as for traditionally-trained scientists. His work has also been featured in the Wall Street Journal.

Dr. Philipp Zerbe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Biology at the University of California, Davis. Renowned for his pioneering research in plant biochemistry and molecular biology, Dr. Zerbe's work primarily focuses on the biosynthesis and metabolic engineering of plant specialized metabolites, including terpenoids. His research aims to harness the potential of these natural compounds for applications in agriculture, medicine, and biotechnology. With numerous publications and a strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of scientists, Dr. Zerbe is a leading figure in advancing our understanding of plant metabolic pathways and their practical applications.