Justin Silpe *20 MOL
Scientist, Innovator, Advocate
Chief Scientific Officer, PumpKin
Justin Silpe is a molecular and chemical biologist turned entrepreneur passionate about leveraging science to address maternal and infant health challenges. He earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology from Princeton University in 2020, where his research uncovered novel ways bacteria and viruses communicate. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard focused on women’s health microbiome research, Silpe co-founded PumpKin Baby Inc. to tackle issues surrounding the nutritional quality of stored breast milk. As chief scientific officer at PumpKin Baby, Silpe leads research and development of innovative breastmilk preservation tablets and diagnostic tools. Inspired by his family’s experiences, he is deeply committed to supporting parents and infants through impactful scientific solutions. Silpe’s entrepreneurial journey has been recognized through significant grants and fellowships, including the Activate Fellowship and the Tiger Entrepreneur Award. Through his work, Silpe continually seeks to bridge cutting-edge scientific discovery with tangible, real-world benefits, striving to improve the health outcomes of families globally.