About Auxergen
Auxergen Leadership
Dr. Ting-Yu (Ting) Yeh, M.D.
Cellular Biologist, Virologist, and Chief Science Officer
Dr. Ting-Yu (Ting) Yeh is a distinguished cellular biologist and virologist whose career is defined by a unique synthesis of clinical medicine and agricultural science. Dr. Yeh is a Co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Auxergen. For 20 years, Dr. Yeh was a researcher at Weill Cornell Medical School and Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Yeh has dedicated his life’s work to identifying transformative innovations that bridge the gap between human health and plant biology.
A Legacy of Innovation
Dr. Yeh’s academic journey began in Taiwan, inspired by his grandfather, a preeminent banana farmer. While his early fascination with botany was deeply rooted in this family heritage, a near-tragic incident involving a close friend initially pivoted his focus toward clinical medicine. However, when the Taiwanese banana industry faced devastating disease-related challenges, Dr. Yeh returned to his roots. He realized that his medical training and his passion for plant biology were not disparate paths, but rather a powerful, unified lens through which he could tackle global agricultural and medical crises.
Groundbreaking Research Contributions
Dr. Yeh has authored seminal research across several diverse fields:
- Virology: He identified the first Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) and satellite RNA in the United States, conducting critical research into RNA recombination and replication competence that fundamentally advanced plant pathology.
- Molecular Motors & Oncology: His work on dynein—the molecular motor responsible for cellular transport—has redefined our understanding of cancer malignancy. He co-discovered Dynarrestin, a potent anti-cancer drug candidate that inhibits cell division and endosome movement.
- Neurology & Ophthalmology: Dr. Yeh provided the first evidence of how the protein Tctex-1 is released from the dynein complex to stimulate neuron growth. He also discovered Tctex-1’s regulatory role in rhodopsin protein trafficking, a finding vital to understanding Retinitis Pigmentosa.
- Genetic Disorders: His research identified the mechanism by which the dynactin subunit p62 (DCTN4)variant contributes to the pathogenesis of Cystic Fibrosis.
By integrating complex cellular mechanisms with practical applications, Dr. Yeh continues to lead Auxergen in developing solutions that address the world’s most pressing biological challenges.
Gregory Contreras
CEO and Co-founder, Auxergen, Inc.
Gregory Contreras is a versatile serial entrepreneur and executive leader with a career spanning advertising, product development, and international operations. As the CEO and Co-founder of Auxergen, Inc., Greg leverages a diverse professional background to steer the company toward groundbreaking biological solutions that address the intersection of human health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
Strategic Leadership and Business Growth
Greg’s career began in the highly demanding world of cosmetics packaging design and manufacturing at Corona Plastics, Inc., before he transitioned into high-level business development at globally recognized firms, including Gemini Consulting and Young & Rubicam. This unique combination of manufacturing, marketing, and financial expertise has been instrumental in his ability to scale Auxergen from a laboratory concept to an international enterprise.
Pioneering Biotechnology at Auxergen
Under Greg’s leadership, Auxergen has established itself as a leader in agricultural biotechnology R&D. Operating within the University of Maryland incubator system, Greg has successfully raised $2 million in debt-free capital, expanded the team, and secured a robust intellectual property portfolio that includes three patents and 17 peer-reviewed research papers.
Key milestones of his tenure include:
- Global Expansion: Founded Auxergen S.R.L. in Bari, Italy, to deploy specialized bio-treatments for Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS), caused by the Xylella fastidiosa bacterium.
- Targeted Eradication: Spearheaded the commercialization of CitriPhage™, a novel technology designed to eradicate citrus canker.
- Bioremediation: Developed business strategies for technologies that sequester heavy metals and neutralize toxic organic compounds like PCBs and BTEX, reducing chemical loading in the environment.
- Phytochemical Innovation: Licensed novel assays to measure the bio-activity of cannabinoids in both human and animal systems, alongside a unique skin-age assay for dermatological quantification.
A Commitment to Sustainability
A frequent speaker at major industry events, including Bio-International 2024, Greg is a recognized voice in the push for sustainable biological alternatives to traditional chemicals. His work bridges the gap between complex laboratory research and commercial viability, ensuring that Auxergen’s innovations deliver both a positive environmental impact and a strong return on investment.
Current
Patrick J. Feehley
Research Technician
Research Projects: Mpox Recombination, Phage Assembly
Johns Hopkins University
Michael C. Feehley
Research Technician
Research Projects: Mpox Recombination, Phage Assembly
Johns Hopkins University
Vivian Y. Ooi
Intern
Research Projects: Phage Assembly, Phage Therapeutics
Harvard University Beginning Fall 2025
Jasminder K. Kohli
Intern
Research Projects: Structure and co-evolution of phage PSF13 and bacterial TpfC, Phage adaptive evolution of bacterial carbohydrate metabolism
Barnard College, Columbia University
Pei-En Wu
Intern
Research Projects: Phage-Bacteria Interaction, Phage Adaptive Evolution
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu Taiwan
Pei-Chen Wu
Intern
Research Projects: Phage-Bacteria Interaction, Phage Adaptive Evolution, Phage Assembly
Cornell University
Si-Ning Chiu
Intern
Research Projects: Phage-Bacteria Interaction, Phage Adaptive Evolution
Case Western Reserve University
Samuel M. Liao
Intern
Research Projects: Bat-borne HKU5-CoV-2 coronavirus, Structure and
co-evolution of phage PSF13 and bacterial TpfC, Phage Adaptive Evolution
Davis Senior High School, Davis CA
Frederick Hsieh
Intern
Research Projects: Phage-Bacteria Interaction, Phage Adaptive Evolution, Phage Assembly
Municipal Yu Cheng Senior High School, Taipei Taiwan
Miranda Wu
Intern
Research Projects: Structure and co-evolution of phage PSF13 and bacterial TpfC, Phage adaptive evolution of bacterial carbohydrate metabolism
University of Melbourne, Australia, Beginning Spring 2026
Yen Chun Wang
Intern
Research Projects: Bat-borne HKU5-CoV-2 coronavirus, Structure and co-evolution of phage PSF13 and bacterial TpfC, Phage Adaptive Evolution
Taipei Municipal Chenggong High School, Taipei Taiwan
Chia-En Hong
Intern
Research Projects: Bat-borne HKU5-CoV-2 coronavirus, Structure and co-evolution of phage PSF13 and bacterial TpfC, Phage Adaptive Evolution
Henry M. Gunn High School, Palo Alto CA
Feng-Yu Kuo
Intern
Research Projects: Bat-borne HKU5-CoV-2 coronavirus, Structure and
co-evolution of phage PSF13 and bacterial TpfC, Phage Adaptive Evolution
Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo High School, Taipei Taiwan
Ian Cheng
Research Projects: Quantum properties of RNA-binding proteins
The Bronx High School of Science, Bronx NY
William Su
Intern
Research Projects: Brain Computer Interface
Rutgers University
Vincent Tsai
Research Projects: Bat-borne HKU5-CoV-2 coronavirus, Impact of anthropogenic activities on bat-human contact and the emergence of bat-borne zoonotic diseases
Serena S. Chiu
Intern
Research Projects: Phage assembly
Brandeis University
Yung-Ching Su
Intern
Research Projects: Phage assembly
National Tainan Girls’ Senior High School, Tainan Taiwan
Alumni
Katurra Copeland
Intern, Summer 2025
Research project: Viral RNA-binding proteins, Mitosis of Trichomonas virginalis
Tuskegee University
Desmond Seybold
Intern, Summer 2025
Research project: Viral RNA-binding proteins, Cytoadherence, host- and
microbe-interactions of Trichomonas vaginalis
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Maxwell S. Lewis
Intern, Summer 2023
Research Projects: Phage Assembly, App Design
Georgetown University
Dylan A Lewis
Intern, Summer 2022
Research Projects: Mpox Recombination
Binghampton University
Zih-Yu Hsieh
Intern, Summer 2022
Research Projects: Mpox Recombination
University of California, Santa Barbara
