Find your path to Dave
119 people in our graph share verified history with Dave — schools, employers, funds. One of them is your warm intro.
Noubar AfeyanunlockedDave: together at Moderna (2014–2023)
Dave: together at Moderna
Dave: together at Dash Bio
×9Dave: together at University at Albany
About
Dave Johnson joined Moderna when it had about 150 employees and left when it had 5,500, having built the data and AI backbone underneath the COVID-19 vaccine, personalised cancer vaccines and high-throughput mRNA synthesis — a roughly 200-person organisation spanning R&D technology, data science and software engineering, latterly as Chief Data and AI Officer. In 2024 he co-founded Dash Bio to do the same for the rest of the industry: a modern contract research organisation whose robotics, automation and software return preclinical bioanalysis results in days rather than months. It has raised $47.5 million, including a $30 million Series A led by Oak HC/FT in 2026.
Beyond investing
- Founded
- Co-founded Dash Bio in 2024 with Ander Tallett and Ely Porter, building a GLP-compliant lab that combines robotics, automation and proprietary software.
- Education
- Holds a physics PhD from the University at Albany and a biotechnology master's from Johns Hopkins, after an undergraduate degree in mathematics.
- More
- Joined Moderna at roughly 150 employees and left at about 5,500, leading a ~200-person data, AI and engineering organisation. His Moderna work underpinned high-throughput mRNA synthesis, personalised cancer vaccines and the COVID-19 vaccine. Oak HC/FT credits him and his co-founders with having architected Moderna's digital and automation infrastructure during one of the most consequential scale-ups in modern history.
Mentioned above: the University at Albany mafia → · the Moderna mafia →
From published sources — common ground for a warm intro.
Co-founder & CEO at Dash Bio
Intro paths
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Experience
- Dash BioCo-founder & CEOcurrent2024 — present
- ModernaChief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer2021 — 2023
- ModernaVP, Informatics, Data Science and AI2020 — 2021
- ModernaSr. Director, Informatics2018 — 2020
- ModernaDirector, Informatics2016 — 2018
- ModernaAssociate Director, Informatics2015 — 2016
- ModernaLead, Automation Integration and Data Analytics2014 — 2015
- TessellaSenior Analyst Programmer2011 — 2014
Skills & more
Bayesian inference1Machine Learning1TypeScriptInvestor PresentationsDigital StrategyDigital TransformationData WarehousingEnterprise DataData StrategiesArtificial Intelligence (AI)Software Project Management9Software Development19
+12 more
ProgrammingRequirements AnalysisSoftware EngineeringDatabase DesignData AnalysisLife SciencesBiotechnologyPython (Programming Language)Public SpeakingTeam LeadershipC#JavaFrom Dave's professional profile.
Podcasts & interviews
featuring Dave JohnsonFrequently asked questions
- Who is Dave Johnson?
- Dave Johnson joined Moderna when it had about 150 employees and left when it had 5,500, having built the data and AI backbone underneath the COVID-19 vaccine, personalised cancer vaccines and high-throughput mRNA synthesis — a roughly 200-person organisation spanning R&D technology, data science and software engineering, latterly as Chief Data and AI Officer. In 2024 he co-founded Dash Bio to do the same for the rest of the industry: a modern contract research organisation whose robotics, automation and software return preclinical bioanalysis results in days rather than months. It has raised $47.5 million, including a $30 million Series A led by Oak HC/FT in 2026.
- Where does Dave Johnson work?
- Dave Johnson is Co-founder & CEO of Dash Bio.
- What companies did Dave Johnson found?
- Dave Johnson founded Dash Bio.
- Where did Dave Johnson go to school?
- Dave Johnson studied at University at Albany (PhD, Physics); The Johns Hopkins University (Master's degree, Biotechnology).
- What podcasts and interviews feature Dave Johnson?
- Tracked appearances include "Revolutionizing Drug Development", "AI and the COVID-19 Vaccine".
Founder mafias
The Johns Hopkins University mafia171
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
C. Giovanni TraversoPhDFounded Teal Bio +4Paul GrossingerBachelor of ArtsFounded Gaingels +3Christoph LengauerPostdocFounded Celsius Therapeutics +3Anne OsdoitMaster of Science (MS)Founded Moon Surgical +2Andrew LevyBachelor of Science (B.S.)Founded Apteligent +2Gorkem SevincMSEFounded Facet +2
+ 164 more
University at Albany mafia19
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
BruceDoctor of Philosophy - PhDFounded Predxbio +2Sal SferlazzaBachelor of ScienceFounded Boostlingo +1Guy DiPierroFounded Chrono Therapeutics +1Gabor ForgacsPostdoctoral FellowFounded Modern meadow +1Lou TartagliaBachelor of Science (B.S.)Founded Solstice BiologicsDoug PerlsonBachelor of Arts - BAFounded Targetspot
+ 12 more
Moderna mafia6
Also came through, then founded or led a company.
Noubar AfeyanDirectorFounded ProFound Therapeutics +12Andrew FraleyHead of ChemistryFounded Korro Bio +1Roi RazSr. Director - Investor RelationsFounded ReBioTatiana NovobrantsevaChief Scientific Officer, Immuno-Oncology ResearchFounded Verseau TherapeuticsIgor FeldmanExecutive Director, Head of Clinical & Translational BioinformaticsFounded Verseau Therapeutics
Same school
Also attended University at Albany97
Matthew AlfieriPartner at Centana Growth PartnersAngela AsencioManager, Therapeutics Team at Deerfield Management CompanyDaniel GlassManaging Director, Global Market Research at Deerfield Management CompanyJonathan IslerPartner and Chief Financial Officer, Funds at Deerfield Management CompanyJim KirkwoodChief Science & Technology Development Officer/VP GTECH (Retired) at General Mills at Emerald Technology Ventures AgChristine MurphyInvestor at TRANSFORMATION CAPITAL
+ 91 more
Also attended The Johns Hopkins University474
Nicole GaudelliEntrepreneur in Residence at GV (Google Ventures)Wes NicholsPartner at March Capital PartnersDemi ObayomiPrincipal at Sapphire VenturesJun JeonInvestor at Khosla VenturesNicole FraenkelInvestor at Khosla VenturesElena VibochManaging Director at General Catalyst
+ 468 more
Shared employers
Also worked at Dash Bio2
Also worked at Moderna23
Noubar AfeyanInvestor at Flagship PioneeringGisella de la RochaVice President of Legal at MPM BioImpactAxel BouchonVenture Partner at ARCH Venture PartnersJordan SilvaCampus Lead at The MBA FundLee CooperManaging Director at Delos CapitalEric HuangPartner at Delos Capital
+ 17 more
