Our team
Dr. Mark Kotter
Executive Chairman, Scientific Founder
Mark Kotter is a stem cell biologist, neurosurgeon at the University of Cambridge, and serial biotech founder dedicated to transforming the future of medicine through synthetic biology and regenerative science. He began his medical career at 19, driven by a commitment to improving human health through both clinical service and scientific innovation.
Alongside his work at clock.bio, Mark co-founded bit.bio, a pioneering synthetic biology company in human cell programming and manufacturing that is redefining how regenerative medicines are discovered and scaled. He is also the scientific founder of Meatable, a cultured meat company tackling the ethical and environmental challenges of conventional meat production.
Mark’s work bridges neuroscience, synthetic biology, and translational medicine. His ventures reflect a unifying vision to harness the power of biology and technology to address some of the most urgent challenges in health, longevity, and sustainability.
Dr. Mark Kotter
Executive Chairman, Scientific Founder
Dr. Michael Boehler
Chief Business Officer
Michael Boehler is a physician and biotech executive with over 20 years of global experience in the life sciences industry. He has built and led commercial organizations at every stage, from early clinical programs to global product launches, and held general management roles across Europe. He brings deep therapeutic experience, particularly in oncology, from leadership positions at Takeda, Kite Pharma, and Amgen.
Before joining clock.bio, Michael spent five years at BioNTech, where he built the company’s Global Commercial organization and was involved in the commercialization of its mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, one of the most significant product launches in pharmaceutical history. He also established BioNTech’s first integrated country organization in Europe and played a key role during the company’s IPO.
Most recently, Michael has been working closely with early-stage biotech companies as an advisor, angel investor, and board member, supporting scientific founders with business strategy, partnerships, and fundraising. At clock.bio, he leads business development, partnerships, and strategic positioning, helping to translate the company’s groundbreaking science into long-term impact.
Dr. Michael Boehler
Chief Business Officer
Dr. Rodrigo Santos
Chief Technology Officer
Rodrigo Santos is a cell technologist with a passion for developing and applying innovative technologies to advance human health. As Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of clock.bio, he leads the company’s technology strategy to combat age-related conditions and extend human healthspan.
Rodrigo’s career spans leadership and scientific roles across some of the most dynamic companies in biotechnology, including Entrepreneur in Residence at Novo Holdings, Director of Cell Technologies at Mogrify Ltd, Head of Technology at bit.bio, and Principal Scientist at Horizon Discovery. His expertise has been instrumental in driving forward the frontiers of cellular technology and therapeutic innovation.
Outside the lab, Rodrigo is an accomplished endurance athlete, continually testing his physical and mental limits with the same drive he brings to scientific discovery.
Dr. Rodrigo Santos
Chief Technology Officer
Dr. Koby Baranes
Head of Science
Koby Baranes is a highly accomplished neuroscientist with over 13 years of experience. After completing his PhD in Neuroengineering in Israel, he conducted transformative postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge. There, he developed an aging model in human iPSCs, which faithfully reflects the hallmarks of aging. Koby’s innovative work contributes to advancing anti-aging interventions and understanding the root causes of aging. With a commitment to pushing scientific boundaries, Koby is dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of aging and developing innovative strategies to mitigate its effects.
Dr. Koby Baranes
Head of Science
Dr. Joana Tavares
Head of Target Validation
Joana Tavares is a scientist merging bio-engineering expertise with neuroscience, driven by a profound desire to improve humanity and create a positive impact on the world. With a master’s in bioengineering and a PhD from the University of Cambridge, she explored cellular metabolism’s role in myelin formation and regeneration. Applying her multidisciplinary approach to aging, she aims to unlock novel insights and develop therapeutic strategies for age-related conditions. Joana exemplifies a commitment to serving others and utilizing her diverse skills to leverage advanced technologies for societal advancement.
Dr. Joana Tavares
Head of Target Validation
Dr. Fabio D’Orazio
Lead Bioinformatician
Fabio D’Orazio is a bioinformatician combining expertise in epigenetics and next-generation sequencing with a background spanning both industry and academia. At clock.bio, he oversees all bioinformatics initiatives, providing data-driven insights to advance the company’s mission.
He was a Marie-Curie fellow within the Horizon2020 program and a postdoc at Imperial College London. His research has advanced the understanding of key areas in epigenetics such as cellular programming during EPSC differentiation and the identification of regulatory elements involved in early development. Prior to joining clock.bio, Fabio worked at Illumina, where he kept a focus on data analysis and building bioinformatics tools.
When not at the computer, Fabio enjoys playing both traditional and e-football.
Dr. Fabio D’Orazio
Lead Bioinformatician
Dr. Jack Brelstaff
Senior Scientist
Jack Brelstaff is a post-doctoral scientist with over a decade of experience in neurodegeneration and inflammation. After obtaining a PhD from University College London he began an academic career at the University of Cambridge and pursued research into Alzheimer’s disease with a fellowship from Alzheimer’s Research UK. More recently, he has moved into the biotech industry with positions at longevity start-ups 199Biotechnologies and now clock.bio. He joins clock.bio as a senior scientist and brings a valuable knowledge base and scientific rigor to the research team. He shares the company’s goal of increasing health-span through innovative rejuvenation technologies based on cutting-edge science. When he’s not in the lab, you can find him at a climbing gym, or out hiking with his golden retriever Nettie.
Dr. Jack Brelstaff
Senior Scientist
Dr. Janine Brandes
Research Scientist
Janine Brandes is a neuroscientist driven by a passion for tackling age-related diseases through cutting-edge research. During her PhD at the University of Cambridge, she developed novel human 3D cell models to investigate immune-brain interactions in a dish. Prior to that, she collaborated with industry partners on a high-throughput drug screening project. Leveraging her background in automation and eight years of experience studying neurodegeneration, she contributes to clock.bio’s mission to mitigate the effects of aging on health. Outside the lab, Janine enjoys exploring her creative side through cooking, music, and ballet.
Dr. Janine Brandes
Research Scientist
Lorraine Stephens
Chief of Staff
Lorraine Stephens leads operations at clock.bio across finance, HR, and recruitment, ensuring the company’s processes and structures are optimized for growth and efficiency. With a dynamic career path that began as a retail bank manager, she later managed a co-working space for high-impact startups, sparking her transition into the biotech industry. Before joining clock.bio, she played a pivotal role in scaling a rapidly growing biotech company, where she honed her skills in operational leadership and organizational development.
Thriving in fast-paced environments with a variety of responsibilities, Lorraine is passionate about building systems that empower teams to succeed. Outside of work, you’ll find her staying active at the gym or taking over the dance floor, she’s never one to sit still for long.
Lorraine Stephens
Chief of Staff
Dr. Tilmann Bürckstümmer
Adviser (CRISPR)
Tilmann Bürckstümmer, an avid CRISPR enthusiast since its early days, trained as a biochemist and joined Haplogen as Principal Scientist and later became their CSO. Following the acquisition by Horizon Discovery, he served as Director R&D and Head of Innovation, overseeing their technology platform. In 2018, Tilmann co-founded Myllia Biotechnology, specializing in single-cell CRISPR screens. He also leads as CEO of bit.bio discovery, a joint venture between Myllia Biotechnology and bit.bio. With a fervent passion for science, Tilmann thrives in multi-disciplinary, multinational teams, embracing the power of collaboration.
Dr. Tilmann Bürckstümmer
Adviser (CRISPR)
Dr. Grant Belgard
Adviser (Bioinformatics)
Grant Belgard is a computational biologist and entrepreneur with a passion for bioinformatics. As Senior Director of Bioinformatics at bit.bio, he leads efforts in computational prediction and analysis for scalable cell reprogramming. Grant is also the Founder and CEO of The Bioinformatics CRO, a global provider of computational biology contract research services. With an impressive academic background, including a quadruple major from Rice University, he holds an Executive MBA and a doctoral degree earned as a Marshall Scholar from Oxford & NIH. Dr. Belgard’s career includes stints at UCLA, Oxford, and a biotech startup. He also serves as a trustee and treasurer of an educational foundation.
Dr. Grant Belgard
Adviser (Bioinformatics)
Dr. Mark Kotter
Executive Chairman, Scientific Founder
Mark Kotter is a stem cell biologist, neurosurgeon at the University of Cambridge, and serial biotech founder dedicated to transforming the future of medicine through synthetic biology and regenerative science. He began his medical career at 19, driven by a commitment to improving human health through both clinical service and scientific innovation.
Alongside his work at clock.bio, Mark co-founded bit.bio, a pioneering synthetic biology company in human cell programming and manufacturing that is redefining how regenerative medicines are discovered and scaled. He is also the scientific founder of Meatable, a cultured meat company tackling the ethical and environmental challenges of conventional meat production.
Mark’s work bridges neuroscience, synthetic biology, and translational medicine. His ventures reflect a unifying vision to harness the power of biology and technology to address some of the most urgent challenges in health, longevity, and sustainability.
Dr. Michael Boehler
Chief Business Officer
Michael Boehler is a physician and biotech executive with over 20 years of global experience in the life sciences industry. He has built and led commercial organizations at every stage, from early clinical programs to global product launches, and held general management roles across Europe. He brings deep therapeutic experience, particularly in oncology, from leadership positions at Takeda, Kite Pharma, and Amgen.
Before joining clock.bio, Michael spent five years at BioNTech, where he built the company’s Global Commercial organization and was involved in the commercialization of its mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, one of the most significant product launches in pharmaceutical history. He also established BioNTech’s first integrated country organization in Europe and played a key role during the company’s IPO.
Most recently, Michael has been working closely with early-stage biotech companies as an advisor, angel investor, and board member, supporting scientific founders with business strategy, partnerships, and fundraising. At clock.bio, he leads business development, partnerships, and strategic positioning, helping to translate the company’s groundbreaking science into long-term impact.
Dr. Rodrigo Santos
Chief Technology Officer
Rodrigo Santos is a cell technologist with a passion for developing and applying innovative technologies to advance human health. As Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of clock.bio, he leads the company’s technology strategy to combat age-related conditions and extend human healthspan.
Rodrigo’s career spans leadership and scientific roles across some of the most dynamic companies in biotechnology, including Entrepreneur in Residence at Novo Holdings, Director of Cell Technologies at Mogrify Ltd, Head of Technology at bit.bio, and Principal Scientist at Horizon Discovery. His expertise has been instrumental in driving forward the frontiers of cellular technology and therapeutic innovation.
Outside the lab, Rodrigo is an accomplished endurance athlete, continually testing his physical and mental limits with the same drive he brings to scientific discovery.
Dr. Koby Baranes
Head of Science
Koby Baranes is a highly accomplished neuroscientist with over 13 years of experience. After completing his PhD in Neuroengineering in Israel, he conducted transformative postdoctoral research at the University of Cambridge. There, he developed an aging model in human iPSCs, which faithfully reflects the hallmarks of aging. Koby’s innovative work contributes to advancing anti-aging interventions and understanding the root causes of aging. With a commitment to pushing scientific boundaries, Koby is dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of aging and developing innovative strategies to mitigate its effects.
Dr. Joana Tavares
Head of Target Validation
Joana Tavares is a scientist merging bio-engineering expertise with neuroscience, driven by a profound desire to improve humanity and create a positive impact on the world. With a master’s in bioengineering and a PhD from the University of Cambridge, she explored cellular metabolism’s role in myelin formation and regeneration. Applying her multidisciplinary approach to aging, she aims to unlock novel insights and develop therapeutic strategies for age-related conditions. Joana exemplifies a commitment to serving others and utilizing her diverse skills to leverage advanced technologies for societal advancement.
Dr. Fabio D’Orazio
Lead Bioinformatician
Fabio D’Orazio is a bioinformatician combining expertise in epigenetics and next-generation sequencing with a background spanning both industry and academia. At clock.bio, he oversees all bioinformatics initiatives, providing data-driven insights to advance the company’s mission.
He was a Marie-Curie fellow within the Horizon2020 program and a postdoc at Imperial College London. His research has advanced the understanding of key areas in epigenetics such as cellular programming during EPSC differentiation and the identification of regulatory elements involved in early development. Prior to joining clock.bio, Fabio worked at Illumina, where he kept a focus on data analysis and building bioinformatics tools.
When not at the computer, Fabio enjoys playing both traditional and e-football.
Dr. Jack Brelstaff
Senior Scientist
Jack Brelstaff is a post-doctoral scientist with over a decade of experience in neurodegeneration and inflammation. After obtaining a PhD from University College London he began an academic career at the University of Cambridge and pursued research into Alzheimer’s disease with a fellowship from Alzheimer’s Research UK. More recently, he has moved into the biotech industry with positions at longevity start-ups 199Biotechnologies and now clock.bio. He joins clock.bio as a senior scientist and brings a valuable knowledge base and scientific rigor to the research team. He shares the company’s goal of increasing health-span through innovative rejuvenation technologies based on cutting-edge science. When he’s not in the lab, you can find him at a climbing gym, or out hiking with his golden retriever Nettie.
Dr. Janine Brandes
Research Scientist
Janine Brandes is a neuroscientist driven by a passion for tackling age-related diseases through cutting-edge research. During her PhD at the University of Cambridge, she developed novel human 3D cell models to investigate immune-brain interactions in a dish. Prior to that, she collaborated with industry partners on a high-throughput drug screening project. Leveraging her background in automation and eight years of experience studying neurodegeneration, she contributes to clock.bio’s mission to mitigate the effects of aging on health. Outside the lab, Janine enjoys exploring her creative side through cooking, music, and ballet.
Lorraine Stephens
Chief of Staff
Lorraine Stephens leads operations at clock.bio across finance, HR, and recruitment, ensuring the company’s processes and structures are optimized for growth and efficiency. With a dynamic career path that began as a retail bank manager, she later managed a co-working space for high-impact startups, sparking her transition into the biotech industry. Before joining clock.bio, she played a pivotal role in scaling a rapidly growing biotech company, where she honed her skills in operational leadership and organizational development.
Thriving in fast-paced environments with a variety of responsibilities, Lorraine is passionate about building systems that empower teams to succeed. Outside of work, you’ll find her staying active at the gym or taking over the dance floor, she’s never one to sit still for long.
Dr. Tilmann Bürckstümmer
Adviser (CRISPR)
Tilmann Bürckstümmer, an avid CRISPR enthusiast since its early days, trained as a biochemist and joined Haplogen as Principal Scientist and later became their CSO. Following the acquisition by Horizon Discovery, he served as Director R&D and Head of Innovation, overseeing their technology platform. In 2018, Tilmann co-founded Myllia Biotechnology, specializing in single-cell CRISPR screens. He also leads as CEO of bit.bio discovery, a joint venture between Myllia Biotechnology and bit.bio. With a fervent passion for science, Tilmann thrives in multi-disciplinary, multinational teams, embracing the power of collaboration.
Dr. Grant Belgard
Adviser (Bioinformatics)
Grant Belgard is a computational biologist and entrepreneur with a passion for bioinformatics. As Senior Director of Bioinformatics at bit.bio, he leads efforts in computational prediction and analysis for scalable cell reprogramming. Grant is also the Founder and CEO of The Bioinformatics CRO, a global provider of computational biology contract research services. With an impressive academic background, including a quadruple major from Rice University, he holds an Executive MBA and a doctoral degree earned as a Marshall Scholar from Oxford & NIH. Dr. Belgard’s career includes stints at UCLA, Oxford, and a biotech startup. He also serves as a trustee and treasurer of an educational foundation.