Chris Cai

Chris Cai has a diverse and extensive work experience. From 2010 to 2022, they have worked in various roles across five companies. In 2010, they began as a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where they developed novel biomaterials with various plant proteins. In 2013, they moved to North Carolina State University to work as an Industrial Research Assistant, conducting fundamental studies to facilitate industrial R&D process for institute member companies. Chris also communicated and presented research outcomes to member companies R&D leadership. In 2018, they joined Modern Meadow as a Project Lead, where they led a new product platform development from idea-sketch to industrial pilot level scale-up. Chris also managed project timeline, stage-gate reviews, equipment CAPEX and intellectual property generation. Chris was also a Research Scientist I and Research Scientist II at Modern Meadow, applying fundamental knowledge of proteins, materials science and rheology for product development and structure-process-property relationship build for better materials design and processing. In 2022, they joined Wildtype as a Team Lead/Senior Scientist, leading a team for new product platform development & scale-up, focus on fibrous appearance, texture/sensory improvements and industrial-feasible cell integration. Chris also managed project strategy, roadmap, timeline and intellectual property generation, as well as led rheology and biomaterial characterization platform build, to facilitate fundamental R&D, sensory evaluations, biomaterials processing and product scale-up.

Chris Cai has an extensive education history. Chris obtained a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) from Donghua University in 2010, majoring in College of Chemistry, Chemical & Bio-Engineering. Chris then completed a Master of Science (MS) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2013, majoring in Biobased Materials. From 2013 to 2017, they obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and a Ph.D. Minor from North Carolina State University, majoring in Materials Science and Engineering (Biopolymers) and Biomedical Engineering (Biomaterials) respectively. Additionally, Chris Cai has obtained several certifications including Colloidal Gels Rheology from the Society of Rheology in 2021, IPRIME Precision Coatings from the University of Minnesota in 2021, IPRIME Rheological Measurements from the University of Minnesota in 2020, and Rheology & DMA Theory, Applications and Hands-on Training from TA Instruments in 2019.