Sometimes, career moves happen purely by chance. Just ask Adam Chernick, PhD/MBA, an associate at IDT (a Danaher business), who was in the right place at the right time for a tremendous career opportunity.
In 2016, while working on his PhD, Adam was considering using an IDT product to selectively enrich a specific viral genome to improve the on-target sequencing rate. He was working with IDT’s applications support team to explore that solution and had a discussion with the local sales manager, who mentioned he was looking to hire an inside sales representative.
“I’d already been considering non-academic careers at that point, and the opportunity to move into a non-academic career while still getting to use my scientific knowledge every day was very compelling—and IDT sounded like the kind of place where I could do that,” explained Adam. “It was also an opportunity to learn more about the business side of science, where I really had no personal experience.”
Adam was hired for that role and two years later, IDT was acquired by Danaher. Every few years, he progressed to higher roles until landing in his current role as Senior Commercial Product Manager – CRISPR, in May 2023.
Today, he manages a team of Commercial Product Managers who oversee the launch and maintenance of IDT’s CRISPR and Functional Genomics products. He works closely with other teams to take mature technologies and get them ready for customers to purchase and use in their own experiments. He also collaborates with many other IDT functional teams—from manufacturing and R&D to legal and sales—on product updates such as new features, pricing and marketing materials.
Thriving in a culture of continuous improvement
With access to Danaher’s portfolio of best practices (known as the Danaher Business System or DBS), Adam finds his work especially fulfilling.
“DBS helps us tackle a whole range of business and technical challenges in reproducible and dependable ways,” he said. “Danaher has been using DBS successfully for decades, and the DBS toolbox has taken that success and enshrined it into something everyone here can use in their daily work.”
Making a real difference—one experiment at a time
“It’s exciting to see my work contribute to something that scientists all around the world use every day,” he said. “Not every industry gets to say that they contribute to positive change in the world, but IDT products are integral for customers who are advancing medicine and our collective understanding of biology—that’s truly inspiring.”
“While customers are doing their work, we’re committed to learning about their challenges and developing tools to help overcome them,” he added. “This is a really satisfying way to apply my technical background to solving problems that’s a little different from running my own research program in an academic setting.”
Going forward, Adam isn’t sure what his career future looks like, but he knows it will be exciting.
“Most of the products I support are based on CRISPR, a technology that’s barely a decade old,” he said. “I doubt anyone can truly predict what the future holds in such an innovative and dynamic industry, but I’m excited to be part of it.”
Over the past decade, CRISPR has taken life sciences and the biomedical world by storm for its ability to easily and precisely edit DNA. Today at Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) (a Danaher company), Bahri Karacay, PhD, Sr. Manager, Product Marketing Gene Writing and Editing, applies himself to advancing this innovative technology, both for research and therapeutic applications. Not only is this work his passion, it’s also his way of helping Danaher innovate at the speed of life.
Dr. Karacay at IDT’s Therapeutic Oligonucleotide Manufacturing facility.
Tell us a bit about your background.
Originally from Türkiye, I came to the US for graduate school. I received my PhD from The Ohio State University and did part of my postdoctoral work at Nationwide Children’s Research Institute in Columbus. After my lab moved, I completed my postdoctoral work at the University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine. I continued after finishing my postdoc as a research scientist in its Child Neurology Division.
What drew you to IDT initially?
As a research professor at the University of Iowa, Carver College of Medicine and a long-standing customer of IDT, I knew IDT and its solutions very well. I was always curious about working in the life sciences industry, so when I was ready to make the switch from academia to industry, IDT was the first logical place to start.
What does your current role entail?
Currently, I lead a product marketing team for the Gene Writing and Editing product portfolio. That includes CRISPR genome editing products and services, both for research and therapeutic applications, as well as gene regulation and synthetic biology products that are mainly for research applications. In simplest terms, we empower scientists to rewrite the code of life through strategic marketing, data-driven insights, and engaging educational content.
What does your day-to-day work look like?
My day-to-day work is dynamic, revolving around strategy, collaboration and execution. I develop marketing strategies and tactics to drive the success of our portfolio, focusing on customer-centric messaging and market trends. Leading a talented team, I provide guidance and support on various projects. Additionally, I serve on cross-functional teams to bring innovative products and services to market.
Since last year, I’ve also enjoyed supporting cross-company initiatives between IDT and Aldevron, another Danaher business. Together, we work towards delivering impactful solutions for customers in the cell and gene therapy space, including Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) manufacturing and Research Use Only (RUO)-to-CGMP workflows. My work is a blend of strategic thinking, creativity, science, and teamwork—making every day exciting and fulfilling.
Dr. Karacay at the University of Iowa
Since you’ve been with IDT, what are some of your most memorable moments?
One of the most memorable moments was the ribbon-cutting ceremony for IDT’s state-of-the-art therapeutic oligonucleotide manufacturing (TOM) facility in October 2023. This marked a major milestone for IDT, as it represented our entry into therapeutic space. Until then, we had primarily supported our customers in the discovery phase of their research. With the opening of the TOM facility, we now offer a comprehensive end-to-end workflow solution—from bench to bedside.
This achievement was particularly meaningful to me as a former scientist with firsthand experience in gene therapy. I had conducted research focused on developing therapies for two devastating conditions: neuroblastoma, a pediatric cancer of the nervous system typically diagnosed before age five, and Alexander Disease, a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder that most commonly strikes in the first decade of life.
Why are you inspired and excited by CRISPR technology?
CRISPR technology has already revolutionized scientific research, and its impact is now transforming medicine as well. With the first CRISPR-based therapies having been approved in December 2024 both in Europe and the United States, we are witnessing the rapid evolution of the technology from research tool to life-saving treatment modality. From groundbreaking cancer treatments to innovative therapies for genetic diseases, CRISPR’s potential seems limitless.
How is your career as a part of Danaher accelerating the power of science and technology to improve human health?
Though I am no longer directly involved in gene therapy research, I feel as though I am still walking side by side with the scientists who are striving for the same life-changing goals. Developing gene therapies for diseases was my passion and purpose, and now, with CRISPR genome editing making that dream a reality, I am proud to continue contributing by enabling scientists with IDT products and resources.
What are some of your interests outside of work?
I’m the founder and lead singer of TURKANA, a band comprised of Turkish and American musicians performing Turkish folk and pop music. I’m also a popular science writer, podcaster and the author of two bestsellers: “The Secret of Life DNA” and “Happy Brain”. My favorite pastime activities are making music and skiing.
Dr. Karacay’s band TURKANA is comprised of professors from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. They play Turkish pop and folk tunes, as well as some of Dr. Karacay’s original compositions, at festivals, concerts, cultural events and radio programs.
Why do you think other people in your field would enjoy a job at IDT or another Danaher company?
IDT and other Danaher life sciences companies are great places to work for anyone passionate about advancing science and human health. With Danaher’s promise of ‘innovation at the speed of life’ and IDT’s focus on ‘Accelerating the pace of genomics,’ we’re committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Initiatives like the IGI Beacon Program, which aims to expand access to CRISPR technologies, and partnerships that improve genome-editing precision, highlight our impact on global challenges. Associates at IDT or other Danaher life sciences companies benefit from cutting-edge tools, a collaborative culture, and opportunities to grow professionally, making it an ideal environment for those driven to shape the future of science and health. I’ve seen the work we do here and it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of it.
