Our mission
Our mission is to enhance food nutritional qualities, ensure global food security and support sustainable agricultural practices enabling a healthier planet
Our vision
Our vision is to democratize the next generation of genome editing. We aim to lead the transformation of specialty crop agriculture by deploying affordable, equitable technology that targets all global stakeholders, ensuring widespread access to food resilience
Our solution
MaxEditas is transforming agriculture with a next-generation, CRISPR-based gene editing platform designed to address urgent global challenges—ranging from food security and climate resilience to enhanced crop nutrition.
Our Core Values
Science-driven innovation
We advance agricultural biotechnology through rigorous science and precise genome engineering. Our work integrates plant biology, computational design, and advanced tissue culture to deliver real, scalable impact.
Equity & Access
We believe breakthrough technologies should be accessible — enabling growers, industries, and communities worldwide to benefit from resilient, nutritious, high-value crops.
Execution with integrity
We operate with scientific rigor, transparent decision-making, and a commitment to delivering measurable, field-ready results.
Collaboration for global impact
We partner with innovators, institutions, and producers to accelerate solutions that strengthen global food security and agricultural sustainability.
Meet the team driving the future of crop engineering
Executive Team
Mónica Alandete, PhD
Mónica is a plant molecular biologist and certified Patent Agent with deep expertise in partnerships development and management, IP protection, and technology commercialization strategy. She previously led high-impact collaborations at The Climate Corporation and worked in technology transfer at UC Davis. She brings a blend of scientific insight and strategic execution to MaxEditas.
Angel Fernández i Marti, PhD
Ángel is a plant geneticist with 20+ years of experience at UC Davis and UC Berkeley. He has led pioneering CRISPR applications in agriculture and directed programs focused on improving traits in high-value crops. His expertise in genomics, NGS, and gene editing guides MaxEditas’ scientific strategy.
Technical Team
Chandrakanth Emani, PhD
Dr. Emani has over 25 years of experience in monocot and dicot transformation at Texas A&M University and Western Kentucky University, and holds multiple patents in plant genetic engineering. He leads MaxEditas’ tissue culture and transformation innovations, with past work including peanut genomics and the development of engineered peanut varieties with improved oil profiles.
Arturo Ortega, PhD
Arturo holds a doctorate in Plant Molecular Biology from UC Berkeley, where he conducted research in Jennifer Doudna’s CRISPR lab. He specializes in CRISPR construct design and gene-editing strategies for sustainable, consumer-oriented crop traits, ensuring discoveries translate into viable products.
Advisors
Sean Bagheban, PE, MBA
Sean brings expertise in risk management, large-scale program execution, and strategic planning, with experience leading complex technical and regulatory initiatives at the California Department of Water Resources. He advises MaxEditas on organizational resilience, operational execution, and long-term strategic alignment.
Alan Bennett, PhD
Alan is a Distinguished Professor at UC Davis and a global leader in plant molecular biology, technology transfer, and IP strategy. With 170+ publications and decades of experience founding and directing innovation centers (including PIPRA), he provides high-level guidance on scientific direction, IP, and commercialization.