Tristan Kempston has more than a decade of experience developing and leading gene targeting projects. He earned his B.A. in biology (magna cum laude) from Grand Valley State University and later trained with Dr. Thom Saunders at University of Michigan. Tristan joined the Transgenic team at Van Andel Institute in 2010, where he advised clients on optimal gene targeting strategies and designed projects to facilitate leading-edge research. He was a key collaborator in VAI’s first CRISPR experiments in 2014 and, in 2017, Tristan helped launch a CRISPR design service to labs across the Institute. In 2022, VAI transitioned the Transgenic and Vivarium Core into two separate but collaborative groups to better support research. Tristan was promoted to director of the Transgenic Core, and leads an exceptional team with deep expertise in gene targeting, CRISPR and many other crucial services.