# Yongwei Zhang

> Yongwei Zhang is the CEO of Complete Genomics and MGI Americas, leading one of the most ambitious efforts to make whole-genome sequencing fast, accurate, and affordable at scale. With a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins and dual bachelor's degrees from Tsinghua University, Zhang brings a rare blend of optics precision, software fluency, and entrepreneurial grit to the genomics frontier. He architected the DNBSEQ sequencing platform series now used by over 2,600 researchers in 100 countries, and has positioned Complete Genomics as a formidable challenger to Illumina's market dominance - at a fraction of the cost.

- **Role:** CEO of Complete Genomics & MGI Americas
- **Organizations:** Complete Genomics, MGI Americas, BGI Group, iolon Inc., Guava Technologies, Millipore, Quinta Technologies/Seagate
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.Eng in Precision Instruments, Tsinghua University, B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics, Tsinghua University, M.S. in Computer Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University, M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University
- **Known for:** Architected the DNBSEQ sequencing platform series - now used by 2,600+ users in 100 countries with 3,100+ installed units, Led development of DNBSEQ-T7, capable of sequencing 35,000 whole human genomes per day, Achieved $150/genome pricing for U.S. customers, making whole-genome sequencing economically accessible

## Career timeline

- **1997-1999** — Optical Engineer at Quinta Technologies/Seagate - developed optically-assisted hard drives
- **1999-2005** — Co-Founder & Manager at iolon Inc. - telecom startup that raised ~$100M in VC
- **2005-2009** — Director of Global Field Service and QC at Guava Technologies (flow cytometry)
- **2009-2013** — Head of New Product Introduction at Millipore/Merck Life Science - developed Muse Cell Analyzer
- **2012** — Appointed Trustee, Saratoga Union School District Board
- **2013** — Joined Complete Genomics as Senior Director of Engineering following BGI acquisition
- **2013-2019** — Advanced to COO and EVP at Complete Genomics, led BGISEQ/DNBSEQ platform development
- **2019+** — Became CEO of Complete Genomics & MGI Americas
- **2024** — Opened first U.S. manufacturing facility in San Jose; expanded to East Coast with Framingham MA Customer Experience Center

## Achievements

- Architected the DNBSEQ sequencing platform series - now used by 2,600+ users in 100 countries with 3,100+ installed units
- Led development of DNBSEQ-T7, capable of sequencing 35,000 whole human genomes per day
- Achieved $150/genome pricing for U.S. customers, making whole-genome sequencing economically accessible
- Co-founded iolon Inc., a telecom startup that raised approximately $100 million in venture capital
- Led product development of award-winning Muse Cell Analyzer at Millipore
- Opened first U.S. manufacturing facility for Complete Genomics in San Jose (2024)
- Established Complete Genomics as exclusive U.S. distributor for STOmics Stereo-seq spatial transcriptomics technology
- Secured strategic partnerships with NVIDIA, Eurofins, seqWell, and Gene by Gene
- Achieved first NRTL certification for DNBSEQ-G99 production in North America
- DNBSEQ technology achieves 1 error per 100,000 bases - industry-leading sequencing accuracy

## Latest updates

- **2024-12** — Complete Genomics published 2024 Year in Review highlighting expanded U.S. manufacturing, new platform launches, and NVIDIA partnership
- **2024-11** — Complete Genomics announced Spatial Xcellerator Grant Program at SITC conference
- **2024-05** — Opened new U.S. manufacturing facility at San Jose HQ and East Coast Customer Experience Center in Framingham, MA
- **2024-01** — Complete Genomics announced NRTL certification for DNBSEQ-G99 and continued U.S. supply chain expansion

## Links

- Website: https://completegenomics.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/yongwei-zhang-45b7504
- Twitter/X: http://www.twitter.com/CompleteGenomic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Complete-Genomics/171211069602027

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/yongwei-zhang
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-14