Harshal Chokhawala, PhD, is Co-Founder and CEO of ZymoChem. Harshal is a dynamic leader in the field of biotechnology, renowned for his groundbreaking work in decarbonization and sustainable manufacturing practices. Harshal is at the forefront of disrupting the global chemicals industry by championing bio-based alternatives to petrochemicals for everyday products. With a Ph.D. in Chemistry from UC Davis, he solidified his position as a research leader in field biocatalysis during his tenure as a project scientist at UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. His contributions are evidenced by over 30 peer-reviewed publications, boasting approximately 4,000 citations and an impressive h-index of 24, including notable features in esteemed journals such as ‘Science’ and ‘Nature Communications.’ In a quintessentially Silicon Valley fashion, Harshal conceptualized ZymoChem as an idea on paper with the intention of revolutionizing the global chemicals industry. He navigated ZymoChem's evolution from a startup to a well-funded entity, securing backing from venture capital, government grants, and collaborations with Fortune 500 companies. On a personal note, Harshal is a husband and father of two young children (twins!), an avid cricket fan, and a recently naturalized U.S. citizen.

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