I am co-founder and head of R&D at Biocentis, a biotechnology company developing solutions for genetic control of the world’s most dangerous insects. I lead a team of world-leading researchers and experts in the development of genetically modified insect strains that can be used for safe, effective, and sustainable control. Our vision is to improve public health, food security, and the environment by targeting some of the few insect species that spread disease to humans and animals, destroy important crops, or threaten biodiversity. I am a molecular biologist by training, with more than 10 years research experience at Imperial College London and Johns Hopkins University. During my PhD at Imperial College London (2012-2016) I pioneered genetic engineering technologies including CRISPR and gene drive, and later led a multinational effort at phased testing of the first gene drive strain capable of controlling insect populations. This revolutionary research took place at a state-of-the-art facility in Italy – where Biocentis now runs its R&D operations – and received widespread attention by the mainstream media, scientists and national government bodies including the US National Academy of Sciences and the UK House of Lords. Our work has been published in leading scientific journals including Nature Biotechnology, Nature Communications and PNAS. Prior to joining Biocentis, I was honoured to receive the Sir Henry Wellcome Fellowship and the 2020 early career biochemist of the year.I maintain an honorary senior lectureship at Imperial College London and I am adjunct senior associate at Johns Hopkins University, where I continue to teach at both.