PeopleofSuperintelligence

Lab leader

Najat Khan

Najat Khan is CEO and president of Recursion, a company that uses machine-learning algorithms to find relationships across biology and chemistry datasets. She holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, and before joining Janssen R&D she worked as a partner at Boston Consulting Group. By 2022 she was chief data science officer at Janssen R&D, where she led more than 100 data scientists and data engineers working on AI and machine learning. She joined Recursion in April 2024 as chief R&D and chief commercial officer, and Endpoints News included her on its 2022 list of top 20 leaders under 40 in biopharma and biotech. In November 2025 Recursion's board approved a plan under which she would succeed co-founder Chris Gibson as CEO and president.

Now at
Recursion

Timeline

  1. By 2022

    Chief data science officer at Janssen

    Her Ph.D. in organic chemistry comes from the University of Pennsylvania. Before joining Janssen, she works as a partner at Boston Consulting Group. By 2022 she is chief data science officer at Janssen R&D, heading a team of more than 100 data scientists and data engineers who work on AI and machine learning.

  2. 2022

    Named to Endpoints' 20 under 40

    In 2022, Endpoints News includes her on its list of top 20 leaders under 40 in biopharma and biotech.

  3. April 2024

    Chief R&D officer at Recursion

    In April 2024, Recursion names her chief R&D and chief commercial officer, and she also joins its board of directors.

  4. 2024

    A combination with Exscientia

    Her work includes helping lead Recursion's combination with Exscientia, which the company calls 2024's largest TechBio M&A deal.

  5. November 2025

    Named to succeed Chris Gibson

    In November 2025, Recursion's board approves a plan under which she succeeds co-founder Chris Gibson as CEO and president.

  6. Since 2026

    CEO and president of Recursion

    She is CEO and president of Recursion, which uses machine-learning algorithms to find relationships across its biology and chemistry datasets.

Sources and credits

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  1. Najat Khan, Ph.D. | Penn Life Sciences & Management Program lsm.upenn.edu. Checked 15 October 2026.
  2. Driving Drug Development with Data Science - Biospring Partners biospring.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  3. Najat Khan, Ph.D., Johnson & Johnson Chief Data Science Officer and Global Head of Strategy, Portfolio, and Operations for Janssen R&D, Joins CDO Magazine Global Editorial Board cdomagazine.tech. Checked 15 October 2026.
  4. Recursion Appoints Najat Khan, PhD, as Chief R&D Officer and Chief Commercial Officer investor.wedbush.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  5. Recursion Announces CEO Transition Plan to Drive Next Phase of Growth investor.wedbush.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  6. Recursion to Present at 44th Annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference investor.wedbush.com. Checked 15 October 2026.
  7. Recursion Announces Board Transition investor.wedbush.com. Checked 15 October 2026.