Jochen Kumm Germany Pearson College Geneticist

Pearson's learning-by-doing approach has informed my life and provided ongoing motivation

Jochen Kumm (PC 83-85) currently heads the bioinformatics group at the Stanford Genome Technology Center (SGTC).

After graduating from Pearson College, Jochen continued his studies at Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Harvard University, earning his PhD from Stanford University in 1995.

"Pearson was a seminal experience for me; it broadened my horizons and opened my mind to new ideas.  In this respect, I hope that this was the beginning of a lifelong process and, while I remember Pearson fondly, I am always trying to do even better,” says Jochen. “Pearson's learning-by-doing approach has informed my life and provided ongoing motivation.  Diving service, for one thing, got me started in my career as a biologist”.

Having travelled extensively doing research in biology, Jochen’s interests have focused on human genetics and its applications in cancer medicine, infectious disease and ageing.  Jochen continues his work towards a better understanding of the genetics of diseases, such as influenza and tuberculosis, with the Stanford Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health.  He has worked with Roche Pharmaceuticals and the Gates Foundation to bring genomics into the clinic and the developing world.