Our team
Dr Koby Baranes
Head of Science
Koby 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 unravelling the mysteries of aging and developing innovative strategies to mitigate its effects.
Dr Koby Baranes
Head of Science
Dr Grant Belgard
Adviser (Bioinformatics)
Grant 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 Janine Brandes
Research Scientist
Janine 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
Dr Jack Brelstaff
Senior Scientist
Jack 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 Tilmann Bürckstümmer
Adviser (CRISPR)
Tilmann, 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 Fabio D’Orazio
Lead Bioinformatician
Fabio 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 programme 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
Markus Gstöttner
CEO
Markus Gstöttner is clock.bio’s CEO. He co-founded Meatable, a cultured meat company that uses iPSC and opti-ox technologies, which he started with Mark Kotter and others. Building on this cooperation, Markus joined clock.bio as CEO to harness the self-rejuvenation capabilities of iPSCs to improve human healthspan. Previously, he was an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at BlueYard Capital and has a background in public service, management consulting (McKinsey), and development economics.
Markus Gstöttner
CEO
Dr Elena Patili
Scientist
Elena is a geneticist, passionate about identifying genes that drive aging and disease, with the goal of extending human healthspan. She gained extensive experience in target and pathway validation at GSK, where she worked on translating genetic insights into practical therapies. She later earned a PhD in Neurogenetics from the University of Cambridge.
At clock.bio, Elena focuses on identifying and validating genes that drive the aging process, aiming to unlock therapies that can slow, halt, or even reverse it. Outside of the lab, she pursues her passion for aerial arts and yoga, combining these practices with her holistic approach to longevity, physical health and mental well-being.
Dr Elena Patili
Scientist
Dr Rodrigo Santos
CTO
Rodrigo is a Cell Technologist with a deep passion for the development and application of innovative technologies. As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of clock.bio, he spearheads the development of strategies aimed at combating age-related conditions, with the goal of extending human healthspan. His extensive experience includes roles such as 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 advancing the frontiers of cellular technology and therapeutic solutions. Outside of his professional life, Rodrigo is a dedicated endurance athlete, always pushing his physical and mental limits.
Dr Joana Tavares
Head of Target Validation
Joana 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 utilising her diverse skills to leverage advanced technologies for societal advancement.
Dr Joana Tavares
Head of Target Validation
Dr Mark Kotter
Chairman
Mark, a stem cell biologist and neurosurgeon at the University of Cambridge, embarked on a medical career at the age of nineteen with a passion for making a positive impact. His curiosity guided him through clinical service and laboratory research, where he developed a fascination for synthetic biology and its potential to revolutionise medicine. Alongside clock.bio, Mark is the CEO and Founder of bit.bio, driving advancements in scalable cell manufacturing for regenerative medicine. Additionally, he co-founded Meatable, a cultured meat start-up that addresses ethical and environmental challenges in the meat industry. Mark’s diverse roles reflect his commitment to serving others and leveraging innovative technologies.
Dr Mark Kotter
Chairman
Florian Schuster
Adviser
Florian is an investor, entrepreneur and company founder. With a background in investment banking and degrees from Stanford School of Engineering and Harvard Business School, Florian brings financial expertise and strategic thinking to his ventures. As the co-founder of bit.bio he played a key role in driving the company’s success. Florian’s entrepreneurial drive, commitment to innovation, and strategic mindset continue to shape his ventures, making a significant impact in the business landscape.
Florian Schuster
Adviser
Lorraine Stephens
Chief of Staff
As Chief of Staff at Clock.bio, Lorraine leads operations across finance, HR, and recruitment, ensuring the company’s processes and structures are optimised 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 organisational 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 Koby Baranes
Head of Science
Koby 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 unravelling the mysteries of aging and developing innovative strategies to mitigate its effects.
Dr Grant Belgard
Adviser (Bioinformatics)
Grant 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 Janine Brandes
Research Scientist
Janine 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 Jack Brelstaff
Senior Scientist
Jack 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 Tilmann Bürckstümmer
Adviser (CRISPR)
Tilmann, 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 Fabio D’Orazio
Lead Bioinformatician
Fabio 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 programme 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.
Markus Gstöttner
CEO
Markus Gstöttner is clock.bio’s CEO. He co-founded Meatable, a cultured meat company that uses iPSC and opti-ox technologies, which he started with Mark Kotter and others. Building on this cooperation, Markus joined clock.bio as CEO to harness the self-rejuvenation capabilities of iPSCs to improve human healthspan. Previously, he was an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at BlueYard Capital and has a background in public service, management consulting (McKinsey), and development economics.
Dr Elena Patili
Scientist
Elena is a geneticist, passionate about identifying genes that drive aging and disease, with the goal of extending human healthspan. She gained extensive experience in target and pathway validation at GSK, where she worked on translating genetic insights into practical therapies. She later earned a PhD in Neurogenetics from the University of Cambridge.
At clock.bio, Elena focuses on identifying and validating genes that drive the aging process, aiming to unlock therapies that can slow, halt, or even reverse it. Outside of the lab, she pursues her passion for aerial arts and yoga, combining these practices with her holistic approach to longevity, physical health and mental well-being.
Dr Rodrigo Santos
CTO
Rodrigo is a Cell Technologist with a deep passion for the development and application of innovative technologies. As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of clock.bio, he spearheads the development of strategies aimed at combating age-related conditions, with the goal of extending human healthspan. His extensive experience includes roles such as 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 advancing the frontiers of cellular technology and therapeutic solutions. Outside of his professional life, Rodrigo is a dedicated endurance athlete, always pushing his physical and mental limits.
Dr Joana Tavares
Head of Target Validation
Joana 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 utilising her diverse skills to leverage advanced technologies for societal advancement.
Dr Mark Kotter
Chairman
Mark, a stem cell biologist and neurosurgeon at the University of Cambridge, embarked on a medical career at the age of nineteen with a passion for making a positive impact. His curiosity guided him through clinical service and laboratory research, where he developed a fascination for synthetic biology and its potential to revolutionise medicine. Alongside clock.bio, Mark is the CEO and Founder of bit.bio, driving advancements in scalable cell manufacturing for regenerative medicine. Additionally, he co-founded Meatable, a cultured meat start-up that addresses ethical and environmental challenges in the meat industry. Mark’s diverse roles reflect his commitment to serving others and leveraging innovative technologies.
Florian Schuster
Adviser
Florian is an investor, entrepreneur and company founder. With a background in investment banking and degrees from Stanford School of Engineering and Harvard Business School, Florian brings financial expertise and strategic thinking to his ventures. As the co-founder of bit.bio he played a key role in driving the company’s success. Florian’s entrepreneurial drive, commitment to innovation, and strategic mindset continue to shape his ventures, making a significant impact in the business landscape.
Lorraine Stephens
Chief of Staff
As Chief of Staff at Clock.bio, Lorraine leads operations across finance, HR, and recruitment, ensuring the company’s processes and structures are optimised 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 organisational 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.