Meiogenix Expands Board with Renowned AgTech Innovator Jacqueline Heard to Accelerate Precision Breeding Advancements
Meiogenix Expands Board with Renowned AgTech Innovator Jacqueline Heard to Accelerate Precision Breeding Advancements
Former Enko Chem CEO and global R&D leader brings deep expertise in agricultural innovation, venture creation and technology commercialization
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. – April 13, 2026 – Meiogenix, a biotechnology company pioneering a new precision breeding approach to unlock genetic diversity for crop improvement, today announced the appointment of Jacqueline Heard to its Board of Directors. Heard’s addition strengthens Meiogenix’s leadership team as the company advances commercialization and partnerships around its targeted recombination platform.
Heard is an industry entrepreneur, global R&D leader, and venture investor who has built her career supporting agricultural innovation by identifying and commercializing breakthrough technologies. She most recently founded and led Enko Chem, transforming crop protection with an AI‑enabled discovery platform for sustainable chemistries.
“Jacqueline brings an extraordinary combination of scientific depth, entrepreneurial experience, and strategic insight across the agricultural innovation ecosystem,” said Neal Gutterson, chairman of Meiogenix.
In addition, she previously held senior leadership roles at Monsanto, Two Blades Foundation, CiBO Technologies, Flagship Pioneering and Mendel Biotechnology. She currently serves on several scientific and industry boards, including Sollum Technologies and the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University.
“Meiogenix’s breakthrough technology in crop breeding will enable breeders to unlock valuable genetic diversity that was previously inaccessible,” said Heard. “I look forward to working with the team to help accelerate the adoption of this powerful technology and deliver new solutions that support global food security and agricultural sustainability.”
Heard joins a powerhouse board that includes agtech and biotech leaders Neal Gutterson, Jenny Rooke, Michael Krel, Benoit Barteau and Ricardo Garcia de Alba.
“Jacqueline’s experience building companies and translating cutting-edge science into real-world agricultural solutions will be invaluable as we advance our precision breeding platform and expand partnerships across the global seed industry,” said Ricardo Garcia de Alba, CEO of Meiogenix.
About Meiogenix
Meiogenix, Inc. is a biotechnology company developing AI-powered precision breeding
technologies that target recombination to increase access to natural genetic diversity of
crops and accelerate the development of next‑generation varieties. By precisely
stimulating natural meiotic recombination, Meiogenix helps plant breeders unlock
hard‑to‑access genomic regions and assemble complex traits more efficiently across
major crops. For more information, visit www.meiogenix.com.
2.jpg)
