Joseph Hernandez is a dynamic presence in New York’s entrepreneurial and scientific communities, known for founding and leading ventures that fuse biotechnology, innovation, and social advancement.
He began his career at Merck & Co. in the late 1990s before joining Affymetrix, a pioneering Silicon Valley company at the forefront of the genomics revolution. At Affymetrix, he helped launch more than a dozen gene-based products, contributing to the early development of personalized medicine.
Mr. Hernandez later joined Digene Corporation, where he played a pivotal role in commercializing the world’s first FDA-approved molecular diagnostic test for human papillomavirus (HPV). His work at Digene helped transform cervical cancer screening worldwide and positioned the company as a global leader in molecular diagnostics. The success of Digene ultimately led to its $1.6 billion acquisition by Qiagen in 2007.
Following this milestone, Mr. Hernandez launched and led numerous ventures across the healthcare and life sciences sectors. He founded Blue Water Vaccines, which is working in collaboration with the University of Oxford to develop a universal influenza vaccine. He is also the CEO of Blue Water Venture Partners, which backs groundbreaking medical technologies, and Chairman and CEO of Blue Water Acquisition Corp. III, a SPAC that raised $253 million in 2025 to invest in transformative companies in AI, healthcare, and biotechnology.
In addition, Mr. Hernandez is the founder and chairman of Energia Power Systems, an energy storage company developed out of Stanford University’s research ecosystem, focused on next-generation sodium-ion and lithium-ion battery systems. Through Temple Street Biotech, he is advancing innovative therapeutic approaches to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Mr. Hernandez is a strong advocate for social equity and education. In 2021, he began sponsoring all-female polo teams as a way to champion gender equality in sports.