Kirsten Engel leads global strategic partnerships and client

engagement for the SecureDNA Foundation, a Swiss

nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding biotechnology through

free, privacy-preserving DNA synthesis screening.

SecureDNA provides free, ultra-fast, privacy-preserving

DNA synthesis screening to detect regulated, controlled, or

hazardous sequences, and is the only system that also

screens millions of predicted functional variants to prevent

evasion. The platform has been adopted by providers

across North America, Europe, and Asia, and uniquely

combines ultra-sensitive detection (down to 30 base pairs)

with flexible integration for both commercial and benchtop

synthesis.

In addition to supporting synthesis providers and benchtop manufacturers, Kirsten represents SecureDNA in international policy discussions and working groups, helping shape emerging best practices for responsible DNA synthesis oversight. She is

particularly focused on building international collaboration to close global screening gaps and ensure equitable access to security infrastructure. 

Kirsten’s work builds on a background spanning business development, international marketing and engagement, nonprofit partnerships, and strategic communications. At

SecureDNA, she is advancing the mission of making DNA synthesis both safe and accessible worldwide, with a vision of preventing misuse while enabling legitimate research to thrive.