Rob Chess
About Rob Chess
Rob Chess is an experienced executive and educator, currently serving as Chairman of Nektar Therapeutics and BigHat Biosciences, among other roles. He has a background in engineering and business, holding degrees from Caltech and Harvard Business School, and has taught entrepreneurship at Stanford Graduate School of Business since 2004.
Work at Nektar Therapeutics
Rob Chess has held multiple leadership roles at Nektar Therapeutics since 1991. He currently serves as Chairman, a position he has maintained since 1999. Previously, he was the CEO from 1992 to 1999 and again from 2006 to 2007, as well as President from 1991 to 1992. His extensive tenure at Nektar Therapeutics reflects his significant influence in the biotechnology sector.
Education and Expertise
Rob Chess earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering with honors from the California Institute of Technology, where he studied from 1974 to 1978. He furthered his education at Harvard Business School, obtaining an MBA from 1978 to 1980. His academic background provides a strong foundation for his roles in business and technology.
Background
Rob Chess has a diverse professional background, including experience at Intel Corporation as a Product Manager from 1980 to 1983. He has also held management positions at Metaphor Computer Systems. His career includes significant roles in various organizations, reflecting his expertise in business management and technology transfer.
Achievements
Rob Chess has co-founded several companies, including Penederm, Inc. and Biota Technology, where he served as Chairman from 2013 to 2020. He has also been involved in various leadership roles, such as serving on the Board of Trustees of the California Institute of Technology and as a White House Fellow under President George H.W. Bush. His contributions to the biotechnology field include serving on the Board of Directors of the Biotechnology Industry Organization.
Current Roles and Affiliations
Currently, Rob Chess is a Lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business, teaching entrepreneurship since 2004. He is also the Chairman of BigHat Biosciences since 2022 and Issio Solutions since 2023. Additionally, he serves as Lead Independent Director and Board Member at Twist Bioscience since 2014, showcasing his ongoing commitment to innovation and leadership in the biotechnology sector.