Itzhak Kurek

Dr. Kurek is a senior biotech leader with experience in managing, consulting and research roles in the Ag-Biotech, Human and Nutritional Supplements, Renewable Energy and Biobased Products businesses. Dr. Kurek joined Cannformatics from Solix Algredients, a B2B supplier of algae-based natural ingredients where he served as R&D consultant at the Vice-President level. Previously, Dr. Kurek worked at Kiverdi inc., a company making high-value oils and chemicals from waste carbon sources, as the Senior Director of R&D. Dr. Kurek held research scientist positions at Pioneer Hi-Bred (DuPont), Verdia Inc. and Maxygen Inc.

Dr. Kurek has published 20 peer-reviewed scientific papers and 13 granted US and international patents cited over 2,000 times. Dr. Kurek received his Ph.D. in Plant Sciences from Tel Aviv University and completed his postdoctoral research at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Kurek has also conducted research at the Technical University of Munich, John Innes Center Norwich, C.N.R.S Bordeaux and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories.