Thomas White

Dr Thomas White received his B.A. in Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of California at Berkeley – including graduate studies in the Pharmacology Department at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. His postdoctoral research on breast cancer was carried out at the University of California Medical Center in San Francisco and on antibiotic resistance at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.From 1978-1988, Tom was employed at Cetus Corporation where he held the position of Vice President of Research and directed the research and development of products using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for multiple applications in basic research, molecular evolution, forensics and diagnostics.

From 1989-2000 he worked for Roche Molecular Systems. As Senior Vice President of Research and Development he was responsible for PCR-based tests for the medical diagnosis of genetic diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, tests for bone marrow transplantation and screening the blood supply for HIV, HCV and HBV, and for developing new applications of PCR for basic research, forensics and the human genome project.

From 2001-2011, Tom was Senior VP of R&D and Chief Scientific Officer at Celera Corporation. This involved the development and FDA registration of molecular diagnostic products for cystic fibrosis, Fragile-X, HIV drug resistance, hepatitis C virus genotyping, thrombosis, as well as laboratory developed (CLIA) tests for complex common diseases and cancer.

Tom retired in June 2011. At the University of California at Berkeley he is a member of the advisory boards of the Human Rights Center, the College of Natural Resources, and a Trustee of the University of California Press Foundation.