Johan Kers

Johan Kers is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Birch Biosciences, an artificial intelligence-powered enzymatic plastic recycling company based in Portland, Oregon. Before launching the biotechnology startup, he spent over 15 years building synthetic biology and protein engineering platforms at prominent industry firms including Ginkgo Bioworks, Absci, and Intrexon. His academic training includes a doctorate in microbiology from Cornell University and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Under his leadership, Birch Biosciences has secured backing from Y Combinator and the National Science Foundation, alongside more than $3 million in funding for collaborative projects with the Department of Energy. Following a 2025 global patent license agreement with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, his current focus remains on leveraging machine learning and engineered enzymes to develop scalable biomanufacturing solutions for global plastic waste.