Jerry Cristoforo is an Adjunct Professor and Vice Director at the Zhejiang University Blockchain Research Center, China, responsible for envisioning and developing research capabilities in the domain of blockchain. He is also Chief Scientist for Insigma Hengtian Software LTD, a joint venture between State Street and the Insigma Corporation that provides financial technology services to global and mainland China financial institutions. In this role, Mr. Cristoforo leads research-oriented projects integrated with product development. He also serves as a Senior Advisor to the China Foreign Exchange Trading Center, is a Senior Lecturer at Zhejiang University’s College of Software Engineering, and an Adjunct Professor at the University of College Cork, Ireland. Previously, Mr. Cristoforo was Executive VP and CTO for State Street Corporation and served as Chairman and General Manager of State Street Zhejiang Technology Company, where he pioneered State Street's partnership with Zhejiang University. He is also cofounder and former board member of Insigma HengTian Software Ltd. 

As a computer/securities industry executive, he has in-depth technology and management experience in advanced distributed systems architecture, product development, workflow reengineering, large-scale systems integration, blockchain, and project management. Mr. Cristoforo published the book Proposals for Reform of China’s Pension System, in cooperation with the Shanghai Finance University. Previously, he served as Master Lecturer in the Computer Science Department of Boston University. Mr. Cristoforo earned an honorary degree in Chinese language proficiency from the Zhejiang University International College of Education and holds a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics from Northeastern University. He can be reached at jcristoforo@horizon8.com.