Celebrating members of the Wyss community who turn bold ideas into real-world impact through entrepreneurship and innovation
By Seth Kroll
(BOSTON) — Innovation at the Wyss Institute doesn’t end when a paper is published or a project reaches proof of concept – it accelerates. Research, discovery, and the translation of new concepts into technologies with the potential to improve human and planetary health are driven by passionate, entrepreneurial people who venture into the world with new companies, platforms, and pursuits.
The Wyss Lumineers program celebrates members of our community who choose to take meaningful risks in pursuit of something bigger – translating foundational science, engineering, and lived experience into real-world solutions. Whether through new ventures, transformative technologies, or unexpected entrepreneurial paths, Lumineers embody the Wyss’ values: courage to step into uncertainty, curiosity paired with purpose, and ambition grounded in collaboration and service to the greater good.
Some Lumineers are building companies that grew directly from Wyss Validation and Institute Projects, while others apply a Wyss-like mindset to their ventures. Together, these stories reflect The Wyss Effect in action: ideas sparked at the Institute evolve, teams are built around them, technologies leave the Institute, and impact cascades outward – often in ways that are impossible to predict at the outset.
We are proud to recognize the 2025 Wyss Lumineers and celebrate the people, projects, and pursuits that continue to amplify what’s possible when bold ideas are empowered to leave the Wyss.
Meet the 2025 Lumineers
Clinton Hansen, Ph.D., Mark Lipstein, Ph.D., Darren Yang, Ph.D – Stealth startup
Faculty Advisor: Wesley Wong, Ph.D.
- The project team is developing a next-generation screening approach to discover novel therapeutics. They participated in the 2022 Validation Project program, and then received additional support through the Wyss’ alliance with Northpond Labs.
Yang (Claire) Zeng, M.D., Ph.D. – DoriNano
Faculty Advisor: William Shih, Ph.D.
- DoriNano is revolutionizing drug delivery for serious diseases with groundbreaking DNA origami nanoparticle technology. The project team participated in the 2022 Validation Project program.
Erik Aznauryan, Ph.D. – HarborSite
Faculty Advisor: George Church, Ph.D.
- HarborSite is developing the next-generation genome engineering platform to enable precise, durable, and safe gene insertion for the treatment of genetic and age-associated diseases. The project team participated in the 2022 Validation Project program.
Tal Gilboa, Ph.D. – Everest Biolabs
Faculty Advisor: David Walt, Ph.D.
- Everest Biolabs is developing high-quality, easy-to-use tools for exosome and EV isolation and analytics. Their solutions are designed to enhance researchers’ daily workflows, from foundational EV isolation to advanced analytics, enabling groundbreaking discoveries.
Merrick Pierson Smela, Ph.D. – Ovelle Bio
Faculty Advisor: George Church, Ph.D.
- Ovelle is revolutionizing fertility treatment through human in vitro oogenesis—producing eggs from somatic cells to help more people experience the profound joys of parenthood.
Ying Kai Chan, Ph.D. – Cirrus Tx
- Kai previously launched a Wyss spinout focused on ocular diseases. His new biotech, Cirrus Therapeutics, is leveraging ocular immunology to create transformative therapies, designed to extend ocular healthspan and redefine healthy aging for vision.
Tyrishma (Ty) Allen – SUG SUG Bakery
- After supporting various Wyss teams for more than 11 years on the Wyss’ Finance Team, Ty chose to take a bold next step as a full-time entrepreneur with her business, SUG SUG Bakery – a Virgin Islands-inspired bakery. Ty’s path represents an important evolution of the Wyss Lumineers: a first example of entrepreneurship driven by the Wyss mindset itself. Ty embodies the same courage and willingness to step into uncertainty that defines all Wyss Lumineers, and we are proud to celebrate her as part of this growing community.
