Alumni Spotlight is pleased to announce The Top 100 Johns Hopkins Alumni in Technology of 2021. Johns Hopkins University opened in 1876 with the inauguration of their first president, Daniel Coit Gilman, where he spoke about their aim of making students “strong, bright, useful, and true.” The awardees highlighted have accomplished exactly that with their advancements in technology. They are leading technology companies focused on changing the trajectory of lives around the world. These companies develop products and solutions in the areas of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain, education technology, financial technology, and many other deeply technical areas.
Alumni Bruce Friedrich, the founder of The Good Food Institute, is using creativity and technology to create alternative proteins that are affordable and accessible to all. Others are focused in healthcare, like Sebastian Seiguer and Morad Elmi, the founders of emocha Mobile Health, who have invented systems to engage patients outside the walls of a hospital, improving medication adherence and supporting transitional care management. One thing in common with this year’s awardees is their passion for the betterment of society. Please join us in celebrating the achievements of the Top 100 Johns Hopkins Alumni in Technology of 2021.
1. Jehan Chu
Kenetic
Jehan Chu is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Kenetic. He first founded the company in 2016. Kenetic is a proprietary trading and venture capital investment firm focused on digital assets and blockchain related companies. They are Asia focused but invest in companies globally.
Previously, Chu was a Director at Vermillion Art Collections and before that an Assistant Vice President and Head of Client Development of Asia at Sotheby's. Earlier in his career he worked with eXtraActive as a Web Programmer. Chu earned a master's degree in Cultural Enterprise from The University of Hong Kong and an undergraduate degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University.
5. Aristotle Balogh
Airbnb
Aristotle Balogh is the Chief Technology Officer of Airbnb, an online marketplace that connects people who want to rent out their homes with people who are looking for accommodations in that locale. Their mission is to create a world where anyone can belong anywhere and they are focused on creating an end-to-end travel platform that will handle every part of their user's trips.
Balogh was previously the Chief Technology Officer at Yahoo and Google. Prior to Yahoo, Balogh was Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Global Product Design for VeriSign, Inc. Balogh previously held leadership positions at SRA Corporation and Roadnet Technologies. Balogh holds an MSE in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a bachelors in Electrical and Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University.
10. Rajeev Goel
PubMatic
Rajeev Goel began his professional career 25 years ago. Today, he is the Co-Founder and CEO of PubMatic. The PubMatic platform empowers independent app developers and publishers to control and maximize their digital advertising businesses and enables advertisers to drive ROI by reaching and engaging their target audiences in brand-safe, premium environments across ad formats and devices.
Goel first got his start in 1996 as a Co-Founder and VP of technology at Chipshot.com, He later served as a Senior Director of Product Marketing at SAP, his most recent position prior to founding PubMatic. Goel graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with an MS in Computer and Information Technology and from Johns Hopkins University with an undergraduate degree in Economics, Political Science and Spanish.
16. Adegoke Olubusi
Helium Health
Adegoke Olubusi began his professional career 10 years ago. Today, he is the Co-founder and CEO of Helium Health. Helium Health is the largest provider of full-service technology solutions for all healthcare stakeholders in emerging markets. Their foundation of which is their SaaS based electronic medical records/hospital management information system
Olubusi first got his start in 2011 as a Technology Analyst at Goldman Sachs. From there, he went on to PayPal, before eventually founding KingsChat, his most recent position prior to founding Helium Health. Olubusi graduated from Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering with an MS in Engineering and Industrial Management and from Morgan State University with an undergraduate degree in Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering.
17. Robert Mittendorff
B Capital Group
Robert Mittendorff is the General Partner and Head of Healthcare of B Capital Group. He first joined the company in 2021. B Capital invests in emerging technology companies transforming large traditional industries across borders and geographies.
Previously, Mittendorff was a Co-Head of the Healthcare Group at Norwest Venture Partners and before that a Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Hansen Medical. Earlier in his career he worked with Merck as a Strategy Analyst. Mittendorff earned an MD and MBA from Harvard Medical School and an undergraduate degree in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.
27. Donald Brown
LifeOmic
Donald Brown is the CEO of LifeOmic. LifeOmic is a software company that offers disruptive solutions to healthcare providers, researchers, health IT companies and patients. Brown has 33 years in the computer software industry. He began his career in 1988.
Before joining LifeOmic, Brown was a CEO at Genesys Interactive Intelligence and before that a CEO at Software Artistry. Brown graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine with an MD, from Johns Hopkins University with an MS in Biotechnology, from Indiana University Bloomington with an MS in Computer Science and from Indiana University Bloomington with an undergraduate degree in Physics.
33. Jon Sugihara
BCG Digital Ventures
Jon Sugihara is a Partner and Director of Product of BCG Digital Ventures. He first joined the company in 2020. BCG Digital Ventures is a corporate innovation and digital business-building arm of Boston Consulting Group.
Previously, Sugihara was a Head of Strategic Partnerships at Google and before that a Chief Product Officer at KODAKIT. Earlier in his career he worked with Sapient as an Engineer. Sugihara earned an undergraduate degree in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University.
View the complete list of awardees.
39. Adam Berke
WorkPatterns
Adam Berke is the Co-Founder and CEO of WorkPatterns. WorkPatterns is a people management app that gives managers tools for unlocking the potential of their teams. Berke has 20 years in the computer software industry. He began his career in 2001.
Before founding WorkPatterns, Berke was a President and CMO at NextRoll, Inc. and before that a Co-Founder and Board Member at My Ride to Vote. Earlier in his career he worked with Philips Medical Systems as a Business Development Associate. Berke graduated from Johns Hopkins University with an undergraduate degree in Economics.
47. Scott Edington
Deep Labs
Scott Edington began his professional career 22 years ago. Today, he is the Co-Founder and CEO of Deep Labs. Deep Labs is an AI startup that creates patented persona-based, context-aware decisions, and risk systems.
Edington first got his start in 1999 as the Head of Technology Injection Programs at Booz Allen Hamilton, before eventually rising to Global Head of R&D and Open Innovation at Visa, his most recent position prior to founding Deep Labs. Edington earned a graduate degree from Johns Hopkins University and undergraduate degrees from the University of Virginia.
53. Shiv Gaglani
Osmosis
Shiv Gaglani is the Co-Founder and CEO of Osmosis. He first founded the company in 2016. Osmosis.org is a leading health education platform with an audience of millions of current and future healthcare professionals and their patients and family members.
Previously, Gaglani was an Editor at Medgadget and before that a Co-Founder and Chairman at Quantified Care. Gaglani earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, an MD from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering and Health Policy from Harvard University.
59. Manuel Terranova
Peaxy
Manuel Terranova is the President and CEO of Peaxy. Peaxy was founded in 2012 to help companies unlock the value of their industrial data by applying machine learning and advanced analytics. Terranova has 25 years in the computer software industry. He began his career in 1996.
Before joining Peaxy, Terranova was an SVP of Regional Operations at GE Oil & Gas and before that an SVP of Subsea Products at GE. Earlier in his career he worked with PARC, a Xerox Company as an Internet Manager. Terranova graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a MA in International Law and Economics and from Cornell University with an undergraduate degree in Political Science and German studies.
61. Alok Aggarwal
Scry Analytics
Alok Aggarwal is the Chairman, CEO and Chief Data Scientist of Scry Analytics. He first joined the company in 2014. Scry Analytics is building enterprise applications that use proprietary AI-based algorithms, which clients can use on a stand-alone basis or in their solutions. Its platforms incorporate proprietary algorithms related to hyper-graphs and anomaly detection.
Previously, Aggarwal was a Co-Founder and Chairman at Evalueserve and before that a Director of Emerging Business Opportunities at IBM Research. Earlier in his career he worked with IBM Research Division as a Computer Scientist. Aggarwal earned a PhD in Eectrical Engineering and Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University and an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
65. Stephen Mathai-Davis
Q.ai
Stephen Mathai-Davis is the Founder and CEO of Q.ai. Q.ai, a Forbes Company, is powering a personal wealth movement, using artificial intelligence and advanced quantitative techniques to revolutionize investment possibilities. Mathai-Davis has 13 years in the internet industry. He began his career in 2008.
Before founding Q.ai, Mathai-Davis was a Co-Founder, Managing Member and Chief Investment Officer at Quantamize and Centauri Investment Management. Earlier in his career he worked with PineBridge Investments as a Research Analyst. Mathai-Davis graduated from Johns Hopkins University with an undergraduate degree in International Studies.
69. Cenk Sidar
Enquire
Cenk Sidar began his professional career 14 years ago. Today, he is the Co-Founder and CEO of Enquire (formerly GlobalWonks). Enquire provides the world’s leading enterprises with an AI-powered platform to leverage global subject-matter expertise in real time.
Sidar first got his start in 2007 as a Director of Infrastructure, Energy and Defence Programs at the American-Turkish Council. From there, he went on to ConStrat, before eventually starting Sidar Global Ventures, his most recent position prior to founding Enquire. Sidar graduated from Johns Hopkins University - Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies with a MA in International Relations and International Economics and from Istanbul Bilgi University with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and International Relations.
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80. Shrenik Jain
Marigold Health
Shrenik Jain is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Marigold Health. He first founded the company in 2017. Marigold Health engages underserved behavioral health and substance use patients with chat-based peer support groups while using AI to scale the efforts of existing clinicians.
Prior to founding Marigold Health, Jain was a Securities Analyst with the Marshall Salant Student Investment Team. He also spent several years with Thread, Inc. and with the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Rescue Associate as a Charge EMT. Jain graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a bachelors degree in Applied Mathematics, Public Health, German and Computer Science.
81. John Whalen
Brilliant Experience
John Whalen is Partner, Psychological Insights & Innovation at Brilliant Experience. Brilliant Experience is a customer research and innovation studio. They use research methods grounded in cognitive science to craft best-in-class experiences that are captivating, magical, and radically intuitive. He first joined the company in 2011.
In addition to his roles with Brilliant Experience, Whalen is the author of Designing for How People Think: Using Brain Science to Build Better Products (O'Reilly). Previously, Whalen was a Chief Experience Officer at 10Pearls and before that a Vice President of User Experience for Bridgeline Digital. Earlier in his career he worked with Human Factors International as a Project Director. John is a former President of UX Professional Association (UXPA) DC. He also speaks at conferences internationally including UXPA, Modev UX, and O'Reilly AI Conference. Whalen earned a PhD from Johns Hopkins University and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from McGill University.
82. Sinan Ozdemir
Directly
Sinan Ozdemir is the Director of Data Science at Directly, managing the AI and machine learning models that power the company’s intelligent customer support platform. Companies like Airbnb, Microsoft, and Samsung partner with Directly to improve the customer experience while significantly reducing contact center volume and saving millions per year.
Ozdemir is a former lecturer of Data Science at Johns Hopkins University and the author of multiple textbooks on data science and machine learning. Additionally, he is the Founder of Kylie.ai (acquired by Directly), an enterprise-grade conversational AI platform with RPA capabilities. He holds a Master’s Degree in Pure Mathematics from Johns Hopkins University.
83. Ivor Royston
Viracta Therapeutics, Inc.
Ivor Royston began his professional career 36 years ago. Today, he is the CEO and President of Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. Viracta is focused on advancing a proprietary viral gene activation therapy to address cancers associated with the Epstein-Barr Virus, and is pursuing opportunities to address other serious virus-associated diseases.
Royston first got his start in 1985 as a Founder and Director at Biogen Idec. From there, he went on to Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, before eventually rising to Managing Partner at Forward Ventures, his most recent position prior to joining Viracta Therapeutics, Inc. Royston graduated from Johns Hopkins University with an MD.
84. David Connolly
Ernst & Young
David Connolly is a Global Managing Partner of Ernst & Young. Ernst & Young exists to build a better working world, helping create long-term value for clients, people and society and build trust in the capital markets. Connolly and his team have defined a multitude of business-driven, insurtech-enabled solutions that property/casualty, life and annuity and group and individual carriers need to consider in order to remain competitive.
Connolly has 22 years of experience. He first got his start as a Partner of Anderson Consulting before moving on to become the Managing Director at BearingPoint. Connolly graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a degree in Economics.
85. Mahnaz Harrison
Last Mile4D
Mahnaz M. Harrison is the President and CEO of Last Mile4D, which designs innovative community-centric health and rights-to-health solutions. The innovation of VPack for Development (V4D) has enabled Harrison to bring her passion for women’s and girls’ rights to health and safety to fruition in East Africa. V4D is a solar-power mobile information communication technology platform that pinpoints, in real time, where and when Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) prevention action is urgently needed; activates community-led prevention protocols; alerts relevant anti-FGM officers and facilitates educational content to change attitudes about FGM. Harrison brings over 27 years of nonprofit industry experience to Last Mile4D since 2014.
Before joining Last Mile 4D, Harrison was a Health Executive, a Fulbright Scholar in the country of Georgia, and has consulted with numerous non-governmental organizations in the U.S. and abroad. She is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University - Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies with an MIPP and from the University of Tehran.
86. Jeffrey Hausfeld
BioFactura
Jeffrey Hausfeld began his professional career 26 years ago. Today, he is the Chairman of the Board and Chief Medical Officer of BioFactura, Inc. of BioFactura, Inc. BioFactura develops and commercializes biodefense drugs, novel drugs, and high-value biosimilars using its patented StableFast™ Biomanufacturing Platform, the optimal choice for bringing these products to market with faster, lower cost, superior-quality manufacture.
Hausfeld first got his start in 1995 as a President at Washington Center for Laser Medicine/Washington Voice Center. From there, he went on to Tenacity Mortgage, before eventually rising to Managing Director at FMS Financial Solutions, his most recent position prior to joining BioFactura. Hausfeld graduated from Johns Hopkins University with an MBA in Healthcare, from Yale University with an MD and from City University of New York with a bachelors in Biology.
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87. Susan A. Wood
VIDA
Susan Wood is the President and CEO of VIDA. She first joined the company in 2009. VIDA modernizes lung and respiratory care by empowering healthcare organizations and physicians. Their AI-enabled software solutions seamlessly integrate within the current workflow to provide both structural and functional insights at the point of care to detect, diagnose, treat and track lung disease.
Previously, Wood was an Executive Vice President of Marketing and Product Development at Vital Images and before that a Vice President of Marketing at R2 Technology, Inc (now Hologic). Earlier in her career she worked with ISG Technology as a Director of Marketing. Wood earned a PhD from Johns Hopkins University and an undergraduate degree in Engineering from the University of Maryland.
88. Chad Prosser
Blue Sentry Cloud
Chad Prosser is the Chairman and COO of Blue Sentry Cloud. Blue Sentry Cloud specializes in highly-complex cloud initiatives that cannot fail. Prosser has 26 years in the information technology and services industry. He began his career in 1995.
Before joining Blue Sentry Cloud, Prosser was a Chairman at Zealandia Holding Company and before that a Director at South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. Earlier in his career he worked with the County Council as a Chairman. Prosser graduated from Johns Hopkins University with an MA and from Rhodes College with an undergraduate degree in International Studies.
90. Aaron Landgraf
Syncari
Aaron Landgraf is the Head of Marketing at Syncari. Syncari unifies, intelligently augments, and enforces quality of customer data, then makes it available within departmental applications through modern multidirectional synchronization. Their modern data automation platform helps businesses solve costly data inconsistencies by treating the enterprise application stack as one unified system, while intelligently cleansing, merging, and augmenting data across them.
Prior to joining Syncari, Landgraf was the Director of Product Marketing of MuleSoft. He first got his start at ApplicationsOnline, LLC as a Product Manager. Landgraf graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a Global MBA in Finance, an MS in Environmental Planning and Management and an undergraduate degree in Physics and Mathematics.
100. Pava LaPere
EcoMap Technologies
Pava LaPere began her professional career 6 years ago. Today, she is the Founder and CEO of EcoMap Technologies. EcoMap is changing the way that people access hyperlocal information.
LaPere first got her start in 2015 as a Co-Founder and President at TCO Labs, her most recent position prior to founding EcoMap Technologies. LaPere graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a graduate degree and with an undergraduate degree in Sociology.
View the complete list of awardees.