Dr. James Swartz

Biography

James Swartz is the James H. Clark Professor in the School of Engineering and a Professor of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at Stanford University. Growing up on a South Dakota farm instilled in him a sense of resourcefulness and persistence. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with Highest Honors from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He began his professional career at Union Oil Company in Casper, Wyoming, where he worked in various departments including Drilling and Reservoir Engineering. His experiences heightened his appreciation for the complexity and significance of large-scale energy technologies. He furthered his education at MIT with graduate programs in chemical engineering (MS) and biochemical engineering (ScD). A pivotal exchange visit to the Soviet Union provided him insights into the development of recombinant DNA pharmaceuticals. Over his career, he has held various project leadership roles at Genentech, contributing to the establishment of drug production capabilities. At Stanford, he focuses on cell-free bioprocesses and their applications in drug development, vaccines, and sustainable biomanufacturing. He has co-founded companies that aim to develop innovative biotechnologies including Sutro Biopharma and Vaxcyte.

Research Interests