Have you Met?
Rishi Masalia, PhD
Program Director
39 North
Describe your journey to 39 North.
There is a running joke amongst plant scientists that your career will inevitably come through this St. Louis. Despite the outcome, plant science was never on my radar growing up.
I was aiming to be a physician throughout college and only started doing plant science research as a bioinformatician in my final year at University of Arizona. My undergraduate advisor convinced me to pursue a PhD in plant biology at University of Georgia over medical school, much to my parent's horror and confusion. Best decision of my life (so far).
While I got my research PhD, I also started several science communication and science policy organizations and was heavily involved in the local community encouraging science to cross the town and gown line. I used that drive and passion for impact to pursue a career path in the fast-paced world of AgTech / BioTech startups.
When I was recruited by Running Tide Technologies in 2021 to open and lead their global biotech division for ocean based carbon removal, I persuaded the CEO and Board to let me open the division in St. Louis, without ever having been here. The strength of the AgTech innovation community and thus the strength of my argument were strong, and that's how I ended up in St. Louis.
After I left Running Tide, I knew I wanted to stay as part of the community that actively worked to bring me here. And so I am, as the new Program Director for 39 North, hoping to pay it forward for a community that has already done so much for myself and others.
What are you excited to be working on right now?
Connecting people. St. Louis has a thriving and vibrant plant science and AgTech community. The best part of this job is helping to build an organization, 39 North, that can connect folks and empower others so that we can all continue to build a supportive and world-renowned community.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I'm a classic nerd. I spend my free time writing a fantasy novel and playing D&D with my friends from grad school. Sometimes I draw and paint when I'm looking to spice it up.