Dr. John Mogford

Jon Mogford, PhD

Jon Mogford, PhD, is currently the Deputy Chief of the Commercial Strategy Team at DARPA.  Previously, he has led a range of science & technology organizations including two early-stage, product-focused biotech startups, a mission-driven federal office focused on high-risk/high-reward programs, and an academic research enterprise spanning every scientific discipline.

Private Sector Experience (2018-present)

In July 2018, Dr. Mogford served as initial CEO (9 months) and then Head- Business Development & Alliances for SmartPharm Therapeutics. 

During this same period, he co-founded and helped build the executive and technical team for Safi Biotherapeutics as the cell therapy commercialization arm of the DoD’s On-Demand Blood program.

Federal Service (2005-2011; Aug 2023-present)

Dr. Mogford served as a Program Manager (2005-2009) and Deputy Director (2009-2011) of the Defense Sciences Office (DSO) at DARPA.

As Deputy Director, he spearheaded a formal DARPA/NIH/FDA working relationship to better develop and transition organ-on-chip technologies.

Academic Service (2013-Present)

Dr. Mogford served as Vice Chancellor for Research (2013-2021) for the Texas A&M University System providing R&D leadership to the System’s eleven universities and eight state agencies encompassing 25,000 faculty and staff and research expenditures of ≈$1 billion annually.

From June 2021 thru August 2023, Dr. Mogford served as the Senior Vice President & COO of the Texas A&M Health Science Center (HSC), a comprehensive academic health center with 8 campuses, 40 clinical affiliates and 3200 professional students across the schools of dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and public health.