POORNIMA PARAMESWARAN
Welcome
My name is Poornima Parameswaran.
I am a scientist, entrepreneur, mother, daughter, wife, sister, and friend. I’m living with multiple myeloma, which has given me urgency, but it doesn’t define me. It has taught me to move through challenge with resilience, clarity, and purpose.
I grew up in India and Bahrain before moving to the U.S., experiences that continue to shape how I see the world and how I lead.
Today, I’m building at the intersection of science, technology, and health. My work is driven by a belief that innovation should not only push boundaries but also deliver lasting impact for patients and communities.
I’m also writing a memoir about what happens when life fractures and how identity, love, and purpose can be broken apart and remade. It is a story of reinvention and of holding on to wonder in the midst of loss and change, and one I hope can offer perspective and companionship to others finding their way forward.
Biography
Poornima Parameswaran is a scientist, entrepreneur, and business leader turning complex science and data into solutions that advance health, sustainability, and innovation.
She works at the intersection of science, technology, and strategy: building teams, aligning stakeholders around bold visions, leading through transformation, forging partnerships, and bringing innovations from concept to market.
Poornima co-founded Trace Genomics and served as in various roles including CEO, President, and Board Director from its inception to exit. Under her leadership, Trace pioneered a genomic analytics engine connecting soil biology with data-driven agriculture, food production, and climate solutions. Trace was recognized as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, one of Forbes Top 25 Most Innovative AgTech Companies, and AgFunder’s Most Innovative U.S. Startup Pre-Series A.
She earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology from Stanford University, completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at UC Berkeley, and holds a B.S. in Molecular Biology from UT Austin. She has helped make genomics more affordable and accessible, taught Stanford’s first course on genomics applications, published widely cited research, and is an inventor on multiple microbiome patents.
Poornima serves on the Board of the International Myeloma Foundation, where she combines her insights as a scientist, entrepreneur, and advocate to advance patient-centered innovation.
My Story
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