About

Meet Stephen ‘James’ Parsons Jr., a true Californian at heart, born in 1981, making him 43 years young. From the start, James was the quintessential curious kid—dismantling toys to see their inner workings, dabbling in artistry, excelling on the soccer field, and thriving in the Boy Scouts. A true tinkerer and a hands-on learner, James’s passion for reading technical books and working with his hands set the stage for an adventurous life.

By the time he finished high school in 1999, James had already launched his second business: a graphic design company whimsically named ‘Skin Kancer Design’. Specializing in tattoo-flash, he quickly turned a profit and sold the company within six months.

In May 2002, feeling the call to serve his country, James embarked on a rigorous nine-month training regimen before joining the United States Navy. His journey began with boot camp, followed by Naval Hospital Corps School. Out of a class of 80, only five corpsmen were sent to locations other than Camp Pendleton, California—James was among those few, assigned to the Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan. There, he gained invaluable experience in Family Practice, Pediatrics, and as an EMT in the Emergency Room.

In 2005, James transferred to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, serving as the senior Corpsman of Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines. His deployment to Iraq for seven months was a period of intense learning, during which he read forty books and watched over two hundred movies. Upon his return, he took on Temporary Assigned Duty at 29 Palms, California, refereeing war games.

After five years in the Navy, James embraced the freedom to travel, exploring London, Mexico, Peru, and traversing the United States. Settling in Jacksonville, North Carolina, from 2009 to 2013, he earned Associates degrees in Science and Engineering.

In July 2013, poised to start a new chapter at Drexel University, James embarked on a 1200-mile bike trip from Jacksonville, NC, to New Orleans, LA. This 18-day journey not only broadened his horizons but also introduced him to some of the best eateries along the way. Following the bike adventure, he spent a month in Spain, immersing himself in the language and culture.

James graduated from Drexel University in June 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, concentrating in biomaterials and tissue engineering. Over the past decade, he has carved out a niche as a freelance engineer, or as he fondly calls it, an "Inventor for Hire." Specializing in prototyping for startups, James’s knack for fabrication and his university-honed skills have made him a problem-solving powerhouse.

Currently, James is channeling his innovative spirit into launching a biotechnology firm with three core focuses: Open Source Life Science Tools, Consumer Biological Tissues & Materials, and Medical Products. You can follow his exciting journey and groundbreaking work at www.celleleven.com.