Dr. Josh Leonard

Professor

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Biography

Josh Leonard is a Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Northwestern University. His research group engineers novel biological systems to perform customized, sophisticated functions for applications in biotechnology and medicine, contributing to the burgeoning field of mammalian synthetic biology. The team employs biomolecular engineering and computation-driven design to develop innovative technologies, including programmable cell-based devices for treating chronic diseases and synthetic receptors involving genetic programming. Additionally, they create novel gene therapy platforms based on bioengineered nanoscale vesicles. Leonard is actively engaged in the development of national science policy, having testified as an expert witness before the U.S. House of Representatives on '21st Century Biology.' He serves on the council and board of the Engineering Biology Research Consortium, fostering training, entrepreneurship, and industrial impact. He directs Northwestern’s NIH-funded Biotechnology Training Program and is a founder and chief scientific officer of Syenex, a startup aimed at making transformative gene delivery technologies universally accessible. Dr. Leonard is also a founding member of Northwestern’s Center for Synthetic Biology, which has grown into a leading team within the synthetic biology community.

Research Interests

Requirements for Northwestern University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
U.S. Bachelor's degree or equivalent
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume/CV
  • TOEFL/IELTS scores (if applicable)
Specialization Notes

Standard PhD requirements for TGS departments including Chemistry, Physics, and Sociology.