Cofounder and Chief Scientific Officer, Syntax Bio
UW Major: Biochemistr
Today, Clarke is cofounder and chief scientific officer of Syntax Bio, a Chicago-based company working to speed up development of stem cell therapies. Its proprietary CRISPR-based platform, Cellgorithm™, aims to more efficiently guide stem cells into specific cell types for research and regenerative medicine — replacing a manual, months-long process with technology that could make developing future therapies faster, cheaper, and easier to scale.
Since launching in 2021, Syntax Bio has raised more than $29 million, published research in Science Advances, and partnered with biopharmaceutical enterprises developing stem cell–derived cell therapies. In 2025, the company received support from the advocacy organization Breakthrough T1D to improve how insulin-producing cells are generated for type 1 diabetes treatments. Today, Syntax is focused on reducing barriers to manufacturing and accelerating the pace of discovery.
Clarke became fascinated by the intersection of science and technology at an early age. Growing up, he was equally fascinated by the natural world and by genetic-engineering ideas he read about in science fiction. When choosing a college, it was the UW’s world-class reputation that made the difference. “I knew the UW was one of the best in the world for science and research,” he says, referring to breakthroughs in microbiology and agricultural research, as well as James Thomson’s pioneering stem cell research.
A biochemistry major with wide-ranging interests, Clarke balanced research and classwork with leadership roles in the Sigma Chi fraternity, where many of his closest friendships — and an early entrepreneurial experiment — took shape. An attempt to launch a beer company with his fraternity brothers introduced him to fundraising, product development, and start-up thinking years before he would launch Syntax Bio.
Clarke worked in multiple labs, but it was experience with chemical engineering professor Brian Pfleger that solidified his interest in synthetic biology and applied research. Clarke later completed a doctorate in biochemistry and molecular genetics at the University of Illinois–Chicago, where his work with mentor and Syntax Bio cofounder Brad Merrill helped lay the scientific foundation for the Cellgorithm technology.
During his PhD work, Clarke became increasingly interested in how academic discoveries are translated into real-world therapies. He saw biotechnology companies as a way to accelerate that process by combining research, funding, and commercialization efforts under one roof.
Moving into the biotech start-up space also changed Clarke’s day-to-day work. Having served as Syntax Bio’s founding CEO, Clarke now guides the company’s growth as chief scientific officer, with responsibilities that extend beyond the bench to include fundraising, partnerships, and strategy, as well as translating complex ideas to investors and partners outside the lab.
“I don’t think I’d be in this position today without the UW — the structure of the training, access to faculty and other expertise, and the willingness of so many people to be mentors,” Clarke says. “It was an inclusive, friendly environment. I was surrounded by all types of people — not just scientists and engineers — and that was really important to me.”
