Andrew Hessel

[11][12] Hessel is an expert in biological technologies and biosecurity, helping industry, academics, and authorities better understand the rapid changes in life science.

[14] Hessel is founding faculty and former co-chair of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology at Singularity University where he worked to develop the Life Sciences track.

The founders were forbidden to discuss the project openly with the press due to an embargo by Science magazine, which had delayed its publication of their foundational papers until after the scheduled meeting.

[13] While at Autodesk, Hessel, along with Paul Jaschke and Jacqueline Quinn, designed and synthesized φX174 in under three weeks and for approximately $1000USD using digital tools.

Paola Antonelli, the director of R&D at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC acquired the symbolic 3D printed plastic virus of φX174 as the first engineered organism in MoMA’s collection.

[38] Hessel regularly speaks to private and public audiences on biotechnology and biodefense topics for groups such as EY, CERN, Stanford,[3] the FBI,[39] the United Nations, ISHI, Singularity University,[40][15] Forbes, and TEDx.

[41] He has been listed as a participant or member of think tanks and organizations such as the Berggruen Institute,[42] Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA),[43] and the Long Now Foundation.