Jon’s interest in genetics arose from a family history of breast and ovarian cancer. He is a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Food and Agricultural Literacy at the University of California-Davis. Jon has written or edited seven books, including: Abraham’s Children: Race, Identity and the DNA of the Chosen People (2007), Let Them Eat Precaution: How Politics is Undermining the Genetic Revolution in Agriculture(2005) and Taboo: Why Black Athletes Dominate Sports and Why We’re Afraid to Talk About It (2001). He has been a contributing columnist at Forbes, Huffington Post and the UK-based Ethical Corporation magazine, and has contributed to hundreds of newspapers, magazines and websites around the world. He spoke before the National Academy of Sciences and the Australian National Press Club on the issue of GMO safety. Before launching his writing career, Jon was an a producer and executive for 20 years at NBC News and ABC News, winning 20 journalism awards, including a National Press Club Award and Emmys for specials on the reform movements in China and the Soviet Union. He was head of documentaries and Tom Brokaw’s long-time producer while at NBC News. He received his degree in philosophy from Trinity College (CT) and studied at the University of Michigan under a National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship.

Cath Ennis conducted her doctoral and postdoctoral research in genetics, genomics, and cancer, and now works as a grant writer and project manager specializing in epigenomics and bioinformatics in Vancouver, Canada. She is the author of “Introducing Epigenetics: A Graphic Guide” (Icon Books, 2017) and has written about epigenetics and other topics for The Guardian.

John Greally is a professor in the departments of genetics, pediatrics, and medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He is also Einstein’s Faculty Scholar for Epigenomics. His research has led to a better understanding of the epigenetic regulation of stem cells and of the epigenetic abnormalities that underlie human diseases, including breast cancer, diabetes, Huntington’s disease, allergies and autism. His recent epigenetic research has suggested a role for environmental factors in autism. Since epigenetic changes are reversible, his work could lead to novel therapies. He was recently honored at Einstein’s 2014 Faculty Mentoring Awards ceremony for his contribution as a basic science mentor. He is also an attending physician in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore.

Ben Locwin is President of Healthcare Science Advisors, a healthcare and clinical practice consultancy. He has a PhD in behavioral neuroscience, BS and MS degrees in astrophysics; an MBA and an MS. He is an author of many books and magazine articles, and has been featured by the CDC, the Associated Press, and the Wall Street Journal, among other media outlets. He is an expert contact for the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) and is a committee member for the American Statistical Association (ASA). He has developed methods improving how companies practice their marketing approaches in industries worldwide. He is also a contributing writer for Genetic Literacy Project. He’s held senior leadership roles for pharmaceutical and biotech companies in both production as well as R&D.

Shea Robison has a doctorate in political science, with a specializations in political theory and public administration from Idaho State University. He is currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the City University of Hong Kong in the department of public policy. His primary research interest is political philosophy, with a focus on the intersection of biology, morality and politics. His current focus is on the political and ethical implications of the emerging science of epigenetics. He runs the popular epigenetics blog The Nexus of Epigenetics. His book Epigenetics and Public Policy: The Tangled Web of Science and Politics is expected to be released in early 2017.

Dr. Bill Sullivan, is the Showalter Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Microbiology & Immunology, at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He received a  Ph.D. in Cell & Molecular Biology in 1997 at the University of Pennsylvania and is best known for his research into epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation in Toxoplasma gondii. Dr. Sullivan’s work has been instrumental in connecting epigenetic mechanisms to various aspects of parasite biology. His team also characterized the acetylome in brain cells called astrocytes. He has published over 60 papers in scientific journals, 5 book chapters, and many articles for a popular science blog that he co-founded called THE ‘SCOPE. He has also written about epigenetics as a guest blogger at sites such as GotScience.org and WhatIsEpigenetics.com.