Aravind Somanchi
Redwood City,USA
Summary
Visionary biotech leader with over 20 years of experience driving innovation in metabolic pathway engineering and product development. Proven expertise in leading R&D teams to deliver transformative solutions in biotechnology, with a track record of securing funding, scaling technologies, and aligning scientific strategies with commercial goals. Inventor on 75 patents (48 granted, 27 pending), showcasing a commitment to innovation and intellectual property development. Adept at fostering cross-functional collaboration and delivering measurable results in fast-paced environments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant
Yali Bio
03.2025 - Current
- Advising on R&D strategies to accelerate product development and commercialization
Vice President of Biology
Yali Bio
04.2022 - 03.2025
- Defined R&D roadmaps to develop high-value oil strains, unlocking new market opportunities
- Led cross-functional teams in strain development and analytics to meet strategic objectives
- Secured NIH funding by aligning scientific goals with commercial priorities
- Provided strategic counsel to the CEO on technology development and commercialization pathways
Chief Technology Officer
Provenance Inc.
06.2019 - 03.2022
- Streamlined scientific operations to align with product development pipelines across multiple markets
- Designed scalable fermentation processes, achieving commercial readiness for protein products
- Authored successful NIH grant proposals by aligning company innovations with federal missions
- Advised the CEO on technology strategy, driving commercialization of proprietary technologies
Associate Director
Trelys Inc.
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Engineered metabolic pathways to enhance product titer by over 4x at bench scale and fermentor levels
- Established molecular genetic capabilities for fastidious organisms as production platforms
- Developed cryopreservation strategies that improved strain stability and operational efficiency
Chief Scientific Officer
Ubabiologix Inc.
06.2017 - 10.2017
- Defined scientific strategy for bio-based wastewater cleanup technologies, doubling client water treatment capacity
- Enhanced intellectual property through novel co-culture optimization methodologies
Associate Director
TerraVia Holdings (formerly Solazyme)
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Directed strain engineering efforts that led to commercial-scale production of algae butter
- Established bioinformatics pipelines and advanced qPCR-based biomarker assays
Senior Scientist II & Senior Scientist
Solazyme Inc.
01.2007 - 01.2016
- Led strain engineering projects that delivered tailored oils for Unilever and other clients
- Managed bioinformatics workflows to support large-scale genomic data analysis across projects
Scientist
Solazyme Inc.
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Pioneered the use of novel algae strains as platforms for producing high-value compounds
Assistant Professor
Auburn University
08.2002 - 03.2005
- Directed research projects on chloroplast protein synthesis and gene expression regulation
Education
PhD - Biological Sciences
Louisiana State University (LSU)
Baton Rouge, LASkills
- Strategic Leadership & Visionary Thinking
- R&D Management & Commercialization Strategy
- Metabolic Engineering & Strain Development
- Federal Grant Writing & Funding Acquisition
- Cross-functional Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Intellectual Property Development
Accomplishments
- Secured multiple NIH grants by aligning scientific initiatives with federal priorities, driving funding success and project execution.
- Spearheaded the development of high-value oil and fat strains at Yali Bio, positioning the company for multi-market opportunities.
- Directed the commercialization of novel protein products at Provenance Inc., achieving scalable production and market readiness.
- Delivered a 4x improvement in strain productivity at Trelys Inc., enabling milestone achievement and enhancing commercial viability.
- Successfully scaled algae-derived oils for Unilever’s personal care products at Solazyme, achieving year-long commercial deliveries.
Personal Information
Title: Biotech Executive | Strategic Leader in Metabolic Engineering & Product Development
Timeline
Consultant
Yali Bio
03.2025 - Current
Vice President of Biology
Yali Bio
04.2022 - 03.2025
Chief Technology Officer
Provenance Inc.
06.2019 - 03.2022
Associate Director
Trelys Inc.
01.2018 - 01.2019
Chief Scientific Officer
Ubabiologix Inc.
06.2017 - 10.2017
Associate Director
TerraVia Holdings (formerly Solazyme)
01.2016 - 01.2017
Senior Scientist II & Senior Scientist
Solazyme Inc.
01.2007 - 01.2016
Scientist
Solazyme Inc.
01.2005 - 01.2007
Assistant Professor
Auburn University
08.2002 - 03.2005
PhD - Biological Sciences
Louisiana State University (LSU)
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