Dr. Christopher Mason stands as a distinguished leader in computational genomics, currently holding the prestigious WorldQuant Professorship of Genomics and Computational Biomedicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. He serves as Director of the WorldQuant Initiative for Quantitative Prediction and the Cornell Aerospace Medicine Biobank, establishing himself as a pivotal figure at the intersection of genomics and space medicine. Dr. Mason earned his dual BS in genetics and biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2001 followed by a PhD in genetics from Yale University in 2006, with subsequent postdoctoral training in clinical genetics at Yale Medical School while also serving as a visiting fellow of genomics, ethics, and law at Yale Law School. His early career trajectory established foundational expertise in both computational methodology and clinical applications, positioning him uniquely for transformative contributions to biomedical science.
Dr. Mason's groundbreaking research includes pioneering the first-ever sequencing of DNA in space aboard the International Space Station in 2016, a landmark achievement that opened new frontiers in space medicine and astrobiology. His laboratory develops and deploys advanced computational and experimental methodologies to identify functional genetic elements of the human genome and metagenome across three primary research areas: clinical genetics for molecular profiling of aggressive cancers and astronauts, computational biology for novel DNA/RNA sequencing techniques, and genome engineering for cellular and microbiome modifications. As an inventor on multiple patents and co-creator of FDA-authorized diagnostic tests, he has directly translated scientific discoveries into clinical applications through his co-founding of numerous biotechnology companies, with his work appearing in top-tier publications including Nature, Science, and Cell. His leadership of the NASA Twins Study provided the first comprehensive molecular portrait of long-term space travel effects on the human body through a multi-omics approach.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Mason serves as a visionary leader through his founding of the MetaSUB Consortium, which has systematically mapped microbial communities across global urban environments, and his influential role in shaping space medicine research directions. His thought leadership extends to authorship of transformative works including The Next 500 Years: Engineering Life to Reach New Worlds, which articulates a compelling vision for genomic engineering to enable human space colonization. Currently advising more than thirty biotechnology ventures while directing cutting-edge research on genome engineering for extreme environments, Dr. Mason continues to shape the future of genomic medicine and space biology through his interdisciplinary approach. His ongoing work aims to better understand the functional elements of human genomes and microbiomes to develop interventions that could ensure human survival beyond Earth while advancing disease treatment on our home planet.
