# Kristin Brief

> Kristin Brief is the CEO of Terragia Biofuel, a Hanover, New Hampshire startup engineering thermophilic bacteria to turn farm leftovers into cost-competitive, low-carbon ethanol. A 20-year clean energy operator and former Breakthrough Energy Fellow, she previously co-founded medical diagnostics company Virex Health, which was acquired by Sorrento Therapeutics.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer at Terragia Biofuel
- **Organizations:** Terragia Biofuel, Breakthrough Energy (former), Virex Health (former)
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Dartmouth College
- **Known for:** Took the helm at Terragia Biofuel during its $6M seed round in March 2024, Breakthrough Energy Fellow (2022-2024), Co-founder and COO of Virex Health, acquired by Sorrento Therapeutics

## Career timeline

- **~2004** — Begins 20-year career in early-stage clean energy ventures
- **2020** — Co-founds Virex Health as COO; diagnostics company is later acquired by Sorrento Therapeutics
- **2022-09** — Joins Breakthrough Energy as a Business Fellow, working on emissions-reduction commercialization
- **2024-03** — Appointed CEO of Terragia Biofuel as the company closes a $6M seed round led by Engine Ventures and Energy Impact Partners; co-founder Lee Lynd transitions to CTO
- **2025-03** — Terragia reported raising an $8M seed extension

## Achievements

- Took the helm at Terragia Biofuel during its $6M seed round in March 2024
- Breakthrough Energy Fellow (2022-2024)
- Co-founder and COO of Virex Health, acquired by Sorrento Therapeutics
- Speaker at CERAWeek by S&P Global

## Latest updates

- **2024-03** — Appointed CEO of Terragia Biofuel; $6M seed announced.
- **2025-03** — Axios reports Terragia raising an $8M seed extension under Brief's leadership.

## Links

- Website: https://terragia.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-brief

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/kristin-brief
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-06-30