Founder’s Story

Dr. Darren Davis has 25 years of experience in the field of genetics, in both academic research and the biotechnology industry. He completed a PhD at the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, where he investigated the genetic causes of high blood pressure. He was then awarded the prestigious NHMRC Peter Doherty Postdoctoral Fellowship to study the molecular genetics of heart disease using experimental models at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

After completing his postdoctoral research project, Dr. Davis moved to the United Sates to pursue opportunities in the biotechnology industry. He joined Illumina, the global leader in next-generation DNA sequencing technology, at a time when the technology was still in its infancy. During 7 years as a scientist at Illumina, he gained a new appreciation for the power of genetic technology to transform the field of medicine.

We are experiencing a genetic revolution that has the potential to make a significant impact on human health. Genetic technology is becoming increasingly accessible to the lay person, allowing individuals to understand their genetic make-up and use this information to make informed decisions on their health management. Dr. Davis believes that the technology driving this revolution should be accessible to all.

Dr. Davis founded Empirica Biosciences with a twofold vision:

1. to provide easy access to genetic testing technology to Kenyans
2. to help ensure that Africans are better represented in the body of genetic research data that inform decisions on precision medicine and public health.