Speaker

Dr. Sebastian Kraves co-founded the Cambridge-based start-up miniPCR bio to help bring DNA analysis technology to the masses. Kraves was previously a principal at BCG, where he spent more than six years working on health care challenges, such as how to make biomedical technology accessible in sub-Saharan Africa. A molecular neurobiologist who trained at Harvard, Kraves is a patented inventor who has published research on optogenetics and the genetic regulation of behavior, but is now focused on his dream to make DNA analysis tools accessible to everyone, everywhere.

In 2015, Dr. Kraves co-founded Genes in Space, a collaboration between miniPCR bio and Boeing with support from ISS National Lab and New England Biolabs. This initiative invites youth to design innovative space biology experiments to be conducted aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Genes in Space has flown ten breakthrough student-led research investigations to the ISS, eight of which have resulted in peer-reviewed publications led by high school students. Dr. Kraves is committed to keep fueling their dreams.