John ​Sninsky, PhD

Visiting Professor, Division Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology
John received his doctoral degree from Purdue University and carried out postdoctoral studies at Stanford University before serving on the faculty of Albert Einstein College of Medicine. John has served in executive positions at Cetus, Roche Molecular Systems, Hoffmann La-Roche, Celera, Quest Diagnostics and CareDx. These companies ranged from small to enterprise CLIA-CAP laboratories and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) companies that required FDA clearance and approval for commercialization. He advises commercial translation efforts at Stanford University, and University of California at San Francisco & Berkeley.

Biography

John has a comprehensive and deep understanding of the development and application of pioneering molecular procedures and bioinformatics to the translation of research-grade biomarker assays into clinical-grade clinically adopted diagnostic tests as well as diagnostic tests paired with pharmacotherapies.  John is the author of more than 110 scientific papers including advanced methods in molecular biology, next generation sequencing, lipid sub-fractionation, application of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to virology and cancer, and genome-wide genetic association studies for multiple common, complex diseases. Most recently, John built the team and oversaw the translation of an early stage research Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) test to a US government reimbursed and now widely adopted Laboratory Developed CLIA-CAP test for transplanted kidney rejection. Over the last two years, John has consulted in diagnostic assay development, Companion and Complementary diagnostic test development and advised on clinical and technical dossier drafting for reimbursement in cancer, autism, and liver disease. He advises commercial translation efforts at Stanford University (SPARK) and University of California, San Francisco (CATALYST) and lectures in Therapeutic and Diagnostic Regulatory Science at University of California, Berkeley (UCB) as well as in Bioengineering for the joint UCSF-UCB program for Masters in Translational Medicine.

John received his doctoral degree from Purdue University and carried out postdoctoral studies at Stanford University before serving on the faculty of Albert Einstein College of Medicine. John served in executive positions at Cetus, Roche Molecular Systems, Hoffmann La-Roche, Celera, Quest Diagnostics and CareDx for 30 years. While at Hoffmann La-Roche, John shared oversight of the program for paired biomarker and drug development. These companies ranged from small to enterprise CLIA-CAP laboratories and small to enterprise in vitro diagnostic (IVD) companies that required FDA clearance and approval for commercialization of kits.

John’s past awards include being a recipient of the Purdue University Distinguished Alumni Award (2001), the Hoffmann-La Roche R & D Prize (1997) for his efforts in applying PCR to virology and developing assays for measuring viral load in individuals with (HIV) AIDS, the Pan American Society for Clinical Virology Award (1992) and the Centers for Disease Control Charles C. Shepherd Science Award (1988).

Among John’s professional society memberships are the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Association of Molecular Pathology, American Society Human Genetics, American College Medical Genetics, American Association Cancer Research, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Association for the Study of Liver Disease and American Association of Clinical Chemistry.

Research Interests

  • Translational Science and Medicine
  • Translational Diagnostics
  • Translational Biomedical Informatics

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellow – Stanford University
  • PhD – Purdue University
  • BS – Bates College

Courses Taught

    • PH290