Peter Barrett

Peter Barrett (Class of 1974) is a chemistry alumnus of the University of Massachusetts Lowell (formerly Lowell Technological Institute). He has held significant roles in biotechnology entrepreneurship and venture capital, including a 20-year partnership at Atlas Venture and leadership positions at Applera and Celera Genomics. Currently, he serves as an Executive Fellow at Harvard Business School.

• Co-founder, Celera Genomics
• Partner, Atlas Venture
• Vice President of Corporate Planning and Business Development, Applera

Education:

• BS in Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell (1974)
• Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry, Northeastern University

Barrett’s career bridges analytical chemistry, biotechnology innovation, and venture capital. His work in commercializing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) instruments and funding RNAi therapeutics exemplifies his impact on life sciences technology and entrepreneurship.

He has contributed to academic advancement through the Blavatnik Fellowship in Life Science Entrepreneurship at Harvard Business School and by supporting UMass Lowell’s CatalyzeUML program for incoming chemistry students.