BIOGRAPHY
Kevin is the CSO and Founder of Medicinal Genomics and has pioneered the genomics of cannabis and hemp to build a stronger scientific environment (Kannapedia.net) for the study of cannabis based therapeutics and blockchain technologies for tracking and verifying cannabis genetics. Previously, Kevin was the CSO of Courtagen Life Sciences, Inc., and was Vice President and Director of R&D of Life Technologies where he managed the development of Life Technologies next generation SOLiD sequencing technology. Integral to the SOLiD R&D process, Kevin oversaw over 100 research collaborations exploring the new biological frontiers with next generation sequencing and saw particular excitement and traction in human tumor sequencing. Kevin initiated an R&D project to investigate chemFET semiconductor based DNA sequencing and spearheaded a process to acquire the DNA sequencing company Ion Torrent for $350M. These collaborations resulted in hundreds of publications and 7 Journal covers from Science Translational Medicine to Nature.
Kevin was the President and CSO of Agencourt Personal Genomics, a startup company he co-founded in 2005 to invent revolutionary sequencing technologies that dropped the cost of sequencing a human genome from $300M to $3,000; a 100,000-fold improvement in sequencing speed and cost in a few years. In 2000, Kevin Co-Founded Agencourt Biosciences Corporation and acted as the CSO until it was acquired by Beckman Coulter. Kevin also managed the R&D for the Human Genome Project at Whitehead Institute/MIT resulting in several patents for nucleic acid purification. Kevin holds a B.S. in Biology from Emory University with a focus on cloning and expressing Norepinephrine Transporters. When not decoding DNA and unraveling the mysteries of cannabis medicine, Kevin enjoys boating, skiing, and gardening.
ABOUT MEDICINAL GENOMICS
Medicinal Genomics uses cutting-edge genomics science to enhance the yield, safety, and quality of medicinal plants. As a leader in this field, the company’s expertise is vast and unparalleled. By analyzing medicinal plants at the genetic level, Medicinal Genomics provides a wide range of services, including breeding, testing, and research, all built upon the gold standard of life sciences. The company’s founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Kevin McKernan, formerly served as Research Director on the Human Genome Project at MIT and later became the first scientist to sequence the cannabis genome. Every aspect of the company’s work is deeply rooted in this legacy of scientific discovery and innovation.
Genomics is one of the most complex and advanced tools available for understanding the intricacies of life. By using genomics, Medicinal Genomics can offer unmatched insights into the genetic makeup of medicinal plants, providing the most detailed picture of how these plants function and how they can be used for health and wellness. This precise understanding allows the company to deliver results backed by rigorous research and grounded in proven science.
At Medicinal Genomics, the belief in the healing power of plants is not just theoretical—it is personal. The team has seen firsthand the positive effects of plant-based medicine on their own lives and those around them. However, the company also knows that for plant-based medicine to truly change lives, it must be supported by concrete evidence and held to the highest standards of scientific inquiry. Medicinal Genomics is committed to combining its passion for health with the power of genomics to build a new era of plant-based medicine—one that is rooted in fact, proven by research, and capable of transforming the way we think about healing and well-being.
