About Us
Schedule a call with us to learn how we can help you enhance your gene editing.
Centrally located in the Bluegrass State of Kentucky, Demeetra AgBio was launched in 2019. Since inception we have built extensive gene editing know-how, complementing our internally developed as well as globally sourced portfolio of intellectual property. Our scientific team is composed of experts with diverse backgrounds in gene editing, ranging from microbes and plants, to mammalian cells. Scientific achievements include being the first to successfully edit plants and yeast with our precise Cas-CLOVER technology.
Demeetra’s core focus is developing and optimizing gene editing technologies in commercially applicable systems. We transfer this new knowledge to our partners and provide simple commercial licenses with freedom to operate. We have experience in partnering and out-licensing with top pharmaceutical, biotech, and agtech companies. Our team works closely with collaborators to ensure successful implementation of Demeetra’s gene editing technologies for their specific application.
Meet Our Team
Jack Crawford, CEO
Before Demeetra, Jack served as CEO of Hera BioLabs, where he led the company to develop best-in-class preclinical oncology models. Earlier, as VP of Business Development at Transposagen, he helped establish the commercial foundation for the piggyBac transposase, now widely used across research and industry. Jack holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech and a master’s in Biotechnology from the University of Pennsylvania.
My publications include:
Andorfer et al. (2024) Cas-CLOVER-mediated Knockout of STAT1: A Novel Approach to Engineer Packaging HEK-293 Cell Lines Used for rAAV Production. Biotechnology Journal.
Tripathi et al. (2023) A new and novel high-fidelity genome editing tool for banana using Cas-CLOVER. Plant Biotechnology Journal.
Brizzee et al. (2023) Targeting Mosquitoes through Generation of an Insecticidal RNAi Yeast Strain Using Cas-CLOVER and Super PiggyBac Engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Journal of Fungi.
Brizzee et al. (2023) Generation of a Culex Male Mosquito Sex-Separation RNAi Yeast Strain Using Cas-CLOVER and Super PiggyBac Engineering in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Fermentation.
Corey Brizzee, PhD
Autumn Samuels
Autumn Samuels is the Financial Controller for Demeetra. With more than 20 years’ experience in accounting services, she applies her skills and knowledge from bookkeeping to developing internal controls, financial statement analysis, budgeting, and forecasting to keep operations running smoothly. As a detail-oriented accounting professional, Autumn provides excellent customer service to Demeetra’s clients and collaborators.
Autumn earned her degree in Business Management from American National University (now known as National College of Business and Technology) and holds a Certification in Financial Accounting through the Harvard Business School Online.
Chia-Chuan Cho, PhD (Dean)
Dean serves as a Scientist specializing in protein engineering and production at Demeetra. His role encompasses the optimization of gene editing protein production, as well as the engineering and validation of protein activity. Additionally, Dean is expanding his expertise in CHO cell culturing to further enhance our gene editing techniques. Leveraging his extensive expertise in protein chemistry, Dean significantly enhances Demeetra’s capabilities in producing high-quality products to support advanced genetic editing technologies.
Before joining Demeetra, Dean served as a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University, where he developed a protein evolution platform and a protease bank for drug discovery. He earned his PhD in Chemistry from Texas A&M University, focusing on protein engineering and drug screening for Covid-19. Dean also holds an MS and BS in Chemistry from National Taiwan University, where he researched DNA repair mechanisms using single-molecule techniques.
Cintia Gomez, PhD
Dr. Gomez is an enthusiastic biotechnologist with over twelve years of experience in oncology and regenerative medicine. Cintia has extensive experience working with stem cells, including induced pluripotent stem cells, hematopoietic and neural differentiation, muscle cells, and molecular biology. She also possesses a strong interdisciplinary background in bioengineering, disease modeling, non-viral delivery methods (such as extracellular vesicles and transposon systems), viral delivery systems (AAVs), and pre-clinical studies.
Cintia has developed hands-on experience and dynamic leadership skills, which have proven highly effective in various projects. This combination is an ideal fit for translational and regenerative medicine, the topics she is most passionate about. Dr. Gomez excels as a motivated team player with a strong work ethic, problem-solving mindset, and self-driven approach to innovation. Her ability to bring original ideas to the table has been a key asset in her career.
Currently, at Demeetra, Dr. Gomez focuses on cell line development and engineering, utilizing cutting-edge technologies like Cas-CLOVER and PiggyBac transposase systems for advanced applications in bioproduction and gene therapy.
Selected Publications:
- L. Chicaybam, C. Barcelos, B. Peixoto, M. Carneiro, Cintia Gomez Limia, P. Redondo, C. Lira, F. Braga, Z. De Vasconcelos, L. Barros, M. Bonamino. (2017) An efficient electroporation protocol for the genetic modification of mammalian cells. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2016.00099
- J. Oliveira, C. Yanick, N. Wein, Cintia Gomez Limia. (2023) Neuron-Schwann cell interactions in peripheral nervous system homeostasis, disease, and preclinical treatment. Front. Cell. Neurosci. https://doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2023.1248922
- M. de Oliveira, L. Florentino, T. Sales, R. Lima, L. Barros, Cintia G Limia, M. Almeida, M. Robledo, L. Barros, E. Melo, D. Bittencourt, S. Rehen, M. Bonamino, E. Rech. (2024) Protocol for the establishment of a serine integrase-based platform for functional validation of genetic switch controllers in eukaryotic cells. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0303999
Thomas Hart
Thomas Hart is molecular biologist at Demeetra whose work involves gene editing in microbes, plants, and mammalian cells. As a member of Demeetra’s research team, he develops creative molecular and cellular assays for improving our gene-editing technology. Thomas is also involved in Demeetra’s production side, performing routine quality control on products and creating custom DNA constructs for clients and collaborators.
Before working at Demeetra, Thomas earned his Master of Science degree in biology at the University of Kentucky. While leading a transcriptomics project studying avian neurobiology, he developed a passion for molecular biotechnology.
Koy Saephan
Koy Saephan is a Business Development Manager at Demeetra, spearheading growth initiatives and strategic partnerships across the West Coast and APAC markets. With over a decade of experience in biotechnology and sales operations, she is committed to helping researchers and industry leaders harness advanced gene editing technologies like Cas-CLOVER and Harbor-IN to drive innovation and accelerate scientific breakthroughs.
Before joining Demeetra, Koy honed a multifaceted skill set at ATUM, where she managed key client accounts, led gene synthesis design and project execution, and provided expert technical sales support. She played a pivotal role in optimizing high-throughput, large-scale plasmid purification workflows, improving efficiency and scalability. Additionally, she led the coordination of industry events, enhancing market presence and strengthening client engagement.
With expertise spanning lab operations, technical sales, and business development, Koy seamlessly blends scientific knowledge with a strategic, customer-centric approach. She is passionate about fostering collaborations that push the boundaries of discovery and deliver transformative solutions to the life sciences community.
Christian Cummings
Christian Cummings is a Business Development Manager at Demeetra, spearheading growth initiatives in the East Coast and EMEA markets. He has a demonstrated ability to forge strategic partnerships and drive business expansion within the biotechnology industry. With experience at TeselaGen Biotechnology and Revvity, he excels in managing client relationships and guiding projects from inception to completion, consistently contributing to organizational success.
He brings a deep understanding of the life sciences sector and a dedication to cultivating strong collaborative relationships, which will be instrumental in driving the adoption of Demeetra’s gene editing technologies for commercial applications.
Precision Without Limits: Freedom to Operate, Guided Expertise
Contact us to learn more about our independent gene editing technology IP, optimized reagents and internal expertise to help guide smooth adoption.