Frances comes to XPRIZE with over ten years of experience as a scientist in research and biotechnology. As a molecular biologist specializing in microbiology, Frances’ past work spans academic research at USC and the MIT media lab where her work in basic research intersected with community organizing, accessible biotechnology tool development, science communication and public policy.

Before joining XPRIZE, Frances was a consultant and research director for many different early-stage biotechnology companies specializing across synthetic biology to therapeutic development and healthcare diagnostics. She is passionate about accessibility and sustainability in healthcare and biotechnology along with community education and empowerment. 

Frances holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she investigated gene regulation, along with a BS in Biology and a BA in Political Science, International Relations from the University of California, San Diego. You can also find Frances teaching Molecular Biology at UCLA from time to time.