Jonathan Emmons, PhD

Jonathan Emmons, PhD


Jonathan Emmons, PhD has dedicated his academic and professional life to the intersection of engineering and synthetic biology. Growing up in Western Kentucky, he gained an insatiable curiosity and desire at a young age to understand the mysteries of how things worked, leading him naturally toward a career in engineering and research. 

Jonathan acquired a strong foundation in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the University of Kentucky during his undergraduate degree, where he also pursued a minor in Biomedical Engineering. Taking this curiosity further, he went on to receive his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Utah, where his innovative research in the synthetic biology field focused primarily on controlling recombinant protein expression in bacteria using eukaryotic-derived proteins.

His work continues to bridge the gap between engineering and biology, driving innovation in the biomedical sciences in his current role as an mRNA Scientist at Sanofi’s mRNA Center of Excellence in Waltham, Massachusetts. In this role, Jonathan’s research plays a critical part in shaping preclinical mRNA vaccine candidate decisions for numerous disease targets.

Jonathan is driven by the belief that engaging in stimulating conversations has always been a catalyst for growth. It challenges our perspectives, deepens our own understanding of complex topics, and sparks new ideas and innovations. 

He is excited to bring his expertise and passion to Living Whole Online, where he looks forward to contributing to meaningful dialogues that inspire new modalities of thinking.