OUR TEAM
Dr. Oliver Jovanovic
“Better health begins with better science, and better science should lead to better decisions.”
Co-CEO + CSO
Dr. Oliver Jovanovic is a computational biologist, biochemist, and technology entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience spanning scientific research, commercial software development, and artificial neural networks. His career bridges molecular biology and computing, combining rigorous scientific investigation with the practical challenges of building technology businesses.
He earned his bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences and master's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Chicago, followed by advanced graduate degrees in Microbiology from Columbia University, culminating in a Ph.D. with Distinction. His doctoral research integrated biochemical, computational, and genetic approaches, including an early application of artificial neural networks. In 2002, he received Columbia's Richard C. Parker Graduate Student Award for outstanding and innovative research, presented by J. Craig Venter.
Dr. Jovanovic serves as the Director of Bioinformatics and Information Technology in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Columbia University. He established Columbia's Introduction to Computational and Quantitative Biology course, helping students connect biological questions with computational methods. His published research includes work on bacterial genetics and the movement of genetic material between organisms.
Beyond academia, he has founded or co-founded companies developing commercial software, educational technology, and tools for computational biology. This combination of scientific expertise, teaching, and entrepreneurial experience informs his approach to translating research into useful technology.
As Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of Astravelle, Dr. Jovanovic helps shape the company's scientific direction, bringing expertise in computational methods and evidence-based research to the development of intelligent, personalized wellness technology, with an emphasis on clarity, scientific credibility, and practical application.