Professional Role and Responsibilities
Michael Previte is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Senior Vice President of Research and Development (SVP of R&D), and Co-Founder of Element Biosciences, a San Diego-based genomics company. He has been a key figure in founding and leading the company since its inception around 2017, bringing over a decade of experience in genomics and biotechnology innovation. His primary responsibilities include heading the technology architecture and leading research and product development initiatives at Element Biosciences.
Educational Background
Previte holds a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Boston College and completed postdoctoral training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he focused on combining advanced materials and genomics technologies. His education reflects a strong foundation in physical chemistry and cross-disciplinary biomedical research, supporting his technical leadership in next-generation sequencing (NGS).
Career History and Expertise
Prior to co-founding Element Biosciences, Michael worked at Illumina, a leading company in genome sequencing technologies, serving as an Associate Principal Scientist. There, he contributed to development work on seminal sequencing technologies. He also has prior experience at Life Technologies, where he innovated in single-molecule sequencing methods for nearly a decade. This extensive industry experience underpins his deep expertise in sequencing chemistry and platform architecture.
Contributions to Genomics and Sequencing Technology
Michael Previte has been a driving force behind Element Biosciences’ proprietary sequencing by avidity technology, which separates the template stepping process from identification chemistry, enabling high-accuracy sequencing with reduced reagent consumption. He has been extensively involved in the development and rollout of the company’s AVITI and AVITI24 benchtop sequencing systems, which are designed to democratize genomic sequencing by delivering affordable, scalable, and flexible sequencing solutions.
He actively presents at industry conferences and webinars, such as the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) 2024 and the AGBT 2022 presentation on AVITI, where he explains the platform’s innovative chemistry and applications for spatial multiomics and genomic research. His research footprint includes multiple publications and patents in the field, with six documented research works garnering around 60 citations, focusing on sequencing innovations and resistance mechanisms in cancer biology.
Company and Market Context
Element Biosciences, co-founded by Previte and peers from Illumina, has rapidly scaled through significant venture funding, including an injection of $406 million, showcasing strong investor confidence. The company positions itself as a disruptor in the next-generation sequencing market by addressing cost, data quality, and workflow flexibility. Michael’s technical leadership is central to maintaining this competitive edge through continuous R&D and new platform innovations.
Public Recognition and Influence
Within professional networks, Previte is recognized not only for his scientific acumen but also for his leadership in building solutions aiming to make precision medicine more accessible and affordable. He maintains a visible presence in industry podcasts, webinars, and social media, often sharing insights on genomic technologies and the company’s trajectory. His role encompasses cross-functional coordination to ensure alignment between technological capabilities and market demands.
Summary
Michael Previte is a seasoned technology and R&D executive with a deep scientific background specializing in genomics and sequencing technologies. As CTO and SVP of R&D at Element Biosciences, he leads the development of innovative next-generation sequencing platforms that focus on affordability, accuracy, and scalability. His prior experience at Illumina and Life Technologies provides a foundation for his current role driving product innovation and strategic technology architecture. Element Biosciences’ notable growth and technological announcements underscore his impact on advancing genomic research tools within a competitive and rapidly evolving market.
