Alberto Parras was a foundational scientist at EPITERNA, a Lausanne-based company aiming to extend lifespan through scientific innovation. After a couple of years in the industry, he decided to channel his passion for science into creating VivoArchitect. This venture serves as a bridge between businesses and institutions, facilitating the execution of preclinical studies in Europe.
Parras embodies the spirit of a scientist who has seamlessly transitioned into an entrepreneur, demonstrating the vast possibilities that lie at the intersection of scientific inquiry and business innovation.

Zhenyu Xu, Ph.D., is a genome scientist with a background in molecular and computational biology. Zhenyu is among the most experienced bioinformaticians in clinical NGS data analysis worldwide. He joined SOPHiA GENETICS in January 2012 and is the leader of the technology team that developed the SOPHiA DDM™ platform – the universal technology for data-driven medicine.

Zhenyu has served as our Chief Scientific Officer since January 2021 and was previously our Chief Technology Officer since May 2014. Prior to that, Zhenyu was a post-doctoral fellow at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory.

Zhenyu holds an M.Sc. in molecular and computational biology from Cambridge University and obtained his Ph.D. at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, where he focused on the transcriptome landscape of yeast. His Ph.D. work systematically characterized the non-coding transcripts in yeast that lead to the unveiling that, in a majority of cases, transcriptions are bidirectional.

Bilingual Innovation Director (Ph.D.), with 10+ years of experience driving innovation within fast-paced environments and innovation-driven industries. François is energized by building impact-driven international innovation teams to explore and derisk ideas to design new products, services, and business models, grow leadership and overcome blind spots.