Yug Varma

Yug Varma is a trained microbiologist and synthetic biologist with a solid background in organic chemistry. He is the co-founder and CEO of Phi Therapeutics, focusing on the development of whole cell therapeutics for chronic microbial diseases. With 7 years of combined post-doctoral and industry experience, he excels in microbiome and synthetic biology.

Yug Varma has established strong relationships with key opinion leaders in microbiome and dermatology fields in academia and industry. He possesses a deep understanding of the safety and regulatory landscape in dermatology, particularly for cosmetic and therapeutic products. Additionally, he has a track record of successfully securing patents, academic fellowships, and industry grants.

His expertise lies in diverse areas such as synthetic biology, next-generation sequencing, and biochemistry. Yug Varma is skilled in diverse laboratory techniques including large-scale gene cluster assembly, cell culture, enzyme kinetics, sequencing (NGS, RNASeq), biochemistry (protein purification, mass spectrometry), and more. He is known for his critical, analytical, and multidisciplinary thinking that drives insightful outcomes.

With a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Bioorganic Chemistry from The Johns Hopkins University and a Master's in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Yug Varma possesses a strong academic foundation. He has also served as a postdoctoral scholar at UCSF and a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University.

Yug Varma thrives in dynamic and challenging environments, excelling in multi-group collaborations, project management, and leading teams of scientists. His ability to communicate complex scientific concepts effectively both orally and in writing sets him apart in his field.