Thomas Laurita, Ph.D., is Director of Entrepreneurship at the Danforth Plant Sciences Center. From 2012-2019 he was CEO and President of NewLeaf Symbiotics, which he co-founded. NewLeaf is a leading agricultural biologicals company that develops and commercializes beneficial plant bacteria. Tom’s career as an entrepreneur includes founding or co-founding eight companies in a wide range of areas: agricultural chemicals, technology, finance, international trading and consulting operations, and manufacturing.

Tom holds an undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Brown University, a Master's degree in Management from Yale University, and is the first American citizen to earn a Ph.D. from the Russian People’s Friendship University in Moscow (in International Economics). He speaks three languages fluently and resides in Maine.