Eyal Maori

Dr. Eyal Maori is an entrepreneur and senior executive scientist with broad applied genomics, RNAi and molecular virology background. Experienced with insect, plant and human systems with a special interest in the RNA interconnections of infection, immunity and gene dynamics. In recent years, he led basic and applied research programs at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, conducting molecular-based projects in the fields of newly discovered virus characterization, host-virus interactions and virus & pest resistance mechanisms using the honey bee, tomato and tobacco nicotiana as models. Dr. Maori held a Postdoctoral Fellow position in Prof. Eric Miska's and Prof. Jonathan Heeney’s groups at the University of Cambridge. In his postdoctoral research, he investigated host-viral immunogenetic interplay with RNA pathways using the honey bee, human and mouse as models. Dr. Maori has combined his academic work with industrial entrepreneurship. In 2007, he scientifically co-founded the biotechnology startup company Beeologics Inc., which was established based on his PhD findings. In 2011, Monsanto acquired Beeologics for its unique and versatile RNAi technology and product pipelines. Later, Dr. Maori served as a Chief Science Officer at Forrest Innovations Ltd., which develops RNA-based solutions for mosquito control. In 2016, Dr. Maori co-founded Tropic Biosciences Ltd., serving as Chief Science Officer. Tropic is a UK-based startup that develops novel gene-editing technologies, such as GEiGS (Gene Editing induced Gene Silencing) and its computational BioCompute platform, to enable robust product pipelines for tropical crops including banana, coffee and rice.