Eric Kelsic
About Eric Kelsic
Eric Kelsic is the Founder and CEO of Dyno Therapeutics, with a strong background in synthetic biology, gene therapy, and high-throughput screening techniques.
Founder & CEO at Dyno Therapeutics
Eric Kelsic is the Founder and CEO of Dyno Therapeutics, a company located in Cambridge, MA. He co-founded Dyno Therapeutics in 2018, focusing on using artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance gene therapy. Under his leadership, Dyno has raised over $100 million in venture capital financing, including a Series A round in 2021 led by a16z.
Background in Biotechnology and Gene Therapy
Eric Kelsic has a strong background in synthetic biology and high-throughput screening techniques. He has specific expertise in AAV capsid engineering, which is a crucial component in gene therapy. His work includes measuring the first comprehensive fitness landscape of the adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid protein and co-discovering the AAV MAAP gene. At Dyno Therapeutics, he leads efforts in recruiting talent for roles in AAV Gene Therapy, High-throughput Synthetic Biology, Machine Learning, Software Engineering, and Alliance Management.
Tenure at Wyss Institute and Harvard Medical School
From 2015 to 2018, Eric Kelsic worked closely with George Church, a prominent figure in genetics, during his tenure at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and Harvard Medical School. He contributed significantly as a Staff Scientist and a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, leading a team to develop technology underlying Dyno’s AI-powered capsid engineering platform.
Educational Background in Systems Biology and Physics
Eric Kelsic earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Systems Biology from Harvard University, studying from 2008 to 2015 in the lab of Roy Kishony. He also holds a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Physics from Caltech, where he studied from 2002 to 2006. During his academic career, he engaged in numerous research fellowships, gaining experience in various scientific disciplines and institutions.
Early Career and International Experience
Eric Kelsic has diverse early career experiences, including international teaching as an English Instructor at Nankai University in Tianjin City, China, from 2007 to 2008. He has worked in various scientific roles, such as a Researcher and Technician in Chemical Engineering at Caltech and as a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow at multiple institutions including the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Prior to his formal education, he worked as a Puzzle Box Inventor from 2000 to 2002, illustrating his innovative and creative problem-solving skills.