Our
Story
DECODR, Inc. emerged from an inspiring collaboration within the innovative environment of ChristianaCare's Gene Editing Institute (GEI) in Delaware. Founded in 2015 and led by Dr. Eric B. Kmiec, GEI is world-renowned for it's pioneering work in CRISPR-directed gene editing, with a mission to turn cutting-edge science into useful applications for patients. In 2019, Rohan Kanchana, then a high school junior at Newark Charter School, interned at the Institute. Working closely with Dr. Kmiec and GEI's Associate Director of Technology Development Pawel Bialk, Rohan aimed to solve the slow, manual analysis of CRISPR sequencing outcomes.
Inspired by these efforts, Rohan developed a prototype software during his internship, which become DECODR - an advanced algorithm that rapidly and accurately analyzes gene edits and mutations from routine Sanger sequencing. Available online, DECODR quickly become a critical tool in laboratories around the world with thousands of users and validated by publications in top scientific journals. As demand for new features and broader access grew, DECODR, Inc. was formed as a Delaware company to drive future innovation.
Today, Rohan Kanchana, now an MIT graduate, serves as Chief Software Engineer while Dr. Kmiec leads the company as President & CEO. From an internship project to a global platform, DECODR stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, ingenuity and innovation.
Our Story
The DECODR Team
Dr. Eric Kmiec is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DECODR, Inc., where he leads the commercialization and global adoption of the DECODR software platform. With decades of experience in molecular biology and gene editing, he helped pioneer the development of the DECODR algorithm at the ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute. His leadership drives DECODR's mission to empower biotechnology advancements, from academic research to therapeutic applications in genomic medicine and CRISPR-based treatments.
Eric serves as the Executive Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the Gene Editing Institute at ChristianaCare. He is also the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of CorriXR Therapeutics where he leads development of in vivo CRISPR-directed gene editing for oncology, including treatments for squamous cell carcinoma. He holds faculty appointments at the University of Delaware and the Wistar Institute.
Eric received his PhD in Molecular Biology and Microbiology from the University of Florida School of Medicine, an MS in Cell Biology from Southern Illinois University and a BA in Microbiology from Rutgers University.
Eric B. Kmiec, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Co-Founder
Rohan Kanchana is the Co-Founder and Chief Software Engineer of DECODR, Inc., where he spearheads the technical vision and ongoing development of the DECODR software platform. As the primary architect of the DECODR algorithm, Rohan created and refined the innovative deconvolution engine that transforms complex Sanger sequencing data into clear, actionable insights, co-authoring the seminal 2021 publication in The CRISPR Journal. Rohan's DECODR algorithm quantifies genome edits, detects insertions/deletions (including large and compound indels), identifies homology-directed repair (HDR) insertions, and reveals subtle off-target or unintended mutations with remarkable speed and accuracy.
His foundational work as a young innovator laid the groundwork for DECODR's transition from a research tool to a scalable SaaS platform, enabling researchers worldwide to perform precise CRISPR analysis without advanced sequencing infrastructure.
Rohan earned a BS in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He completed internships at the ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute and at LatchBio.
Rohan Kanchana
Chief Software Engineer
Co-Founder
Pawel Bialk, MS
Chief Technology Officer
Pawel Bialk is the Chief Technology Officer at DECODR, Inc., where he directs the technological infrastructure, data systems, and innovation pipeline that power the DECODR software platform. Drawing on his extensive experience in CRISPR research and technology development, he ensures the platform's robust performance in deconvoluting complex DNA repair outcomes from Sanger sequencing data—delivering fast, accurate quantification of a wide variety of genome edits, including detection of insertions/deletions and identification of homology-directed repair (HDR), providing insights into CRISPR repair outcomes. His leadership bridges scientific discovery with scalable information systems, supporting enterprise features such as unlimited calculations, secure account-based history, and pipeline-friendly integrations to advance biotechnology research and therapeutic applications.
Pawel also serves as the Associate Director of Technology Development / Principal Investigator at the Gene Editing Institute at ChristianaCare where he leads technology initiatives focused on novel target discovery, CRISPR tool optimization, and translational research.
He earned an MS in Biological Sciences from Delaware State University and a BS in Applied Forensic Science from Mercyhurst University.
Christian Bauer is the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel for DECODR, Inc., where he oversees operational efficiency, legal strategy, and corporate governance to support the scaling of the DECODR software platform. With a robust background in biochemistry, intellectual property law, and biotechnology operations, Christian ensures robust protection of innovations in genome editing analysis. His strategic leadership aligns DECODR's growth with regulatory compliance and business objectives, empowering biotech researchers and enterprises to advance gene therapies and CRISPR technologies.
Christian also consults as fractional in-house IP counsel for multiple biotech companies, providing expertise in patent portfolio management, licensing, and compliance in therapeutic development. He is the former VP and Head of Intellectual Property at Pretzel Therapeutics and has held key roles at Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene and Shire Pharmaceuticals, focusing on IP portfolio management, corporate transactions, and IP diligence and litigation.
Christian earned his JD from the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law and holds an MS in Forensic Science from Marshall University, and a BS in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology from Gettysburg College.
Christian M. Bauer, JD
Chief Operating Officer
General Counsel
Tyler Kmiec is Digital Marketing Lead for DECODR, Inc., responsible for digital marketing strategy across email, website and digital advertising to support user engagement with the DECODR software platform. With over a decade of experience in translational, clinical and population health research, Tyler brings a diverse skillset to the DECODR team.
Tyler currently serves as Program Manager of the Thomas Jefferson University & Nemours Children's Health Research Collaborative, supporting a wide array of investigators, physicians and clinical researchers through pilot grants, research events and proposal development in the greater Delaware Valley. He is an expert in regulatory processes, technology transfer, and the collaborative nature of successful technology development.
Tyler earned an MPH from Temple University and a BS in Exercise Science from the University of Kentucky. He is currently pursuing an MBA at Thomas Jefferson University.
Tyler Kmiec, MPH
Digital Marketing Lead