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Daniel
Rahn
Sunnyvale / San Francisco
SpaceX
I want to reduce waste and inefficiency in manufacturing. My goal is to develop a low cost system to improve inspections in electronics manufacturing and more effectivly identify defects.
Anything to do with biology, chemistry, computer science,
I lived in a sailboat for a while! (Currently in staying it)
Pascal
Notin
Boston
Harvard University
I'm conducting research at the intersection of generative AI and protein engineering. My goal is to develop novel enzymes that will support our transition towards a sustainable economy.
New materials, chemistry, batteries
Father of an 11-month-old boy
Dan
Voicu
Montreal
McGill University - Codruta Ignea Department of Bioengineering is where I am currently affiliated. Have also been previously associated with McGill iGEM (see top 10 in 2022, and grand prize winners in 2023). Have also worked in Multhaup lab, Chen lab at McGill, and Irina Dinu lab at University of Alberta.
I want to unlock the biodiversity of the natural world, and in doing so create better therapeutics, but also leverage these discoveries for better bioprocesses (generally). I am working on improving biosynthetic pathway elucidation. We acquire so many interesting compounds both medicinal, or environmental (like saponins as soaps), but we know relatively little about the actual metabolic pathways that let us elucidate these pathways, and elucidating them is a slow and laborious process. Since many of the compounds produced by biology are inaccessible by synthetic chemistry we aim to use synthetic biology to speed up the discovery process.
I want to build this because I feel that unlocking nature's vast biodiversity is key to us better understanding and building with biology. If we truly believe we are going to live in a biotic society in the next 25 years, we need to be able to understand what is happening in the pathways we want to engineer and control.
I am extremely curious about simulating cells - that said, how can we improve our spatio-temporal understanding of cells such that we can make better informed engineering decisions about biology. Generally I am quite interested in the disease prevention ("longevity" or healthy living rather) space, as well as climate tech and plant engineering. There is just too much crazy science going on, and I am just sad that I don't have time to learn it all. I would love to push the frontier of being a great founder, and then try to make other great science possible.
I used to play soccer professionally in Canada (in the Canadian premier league, where I was the captain of the reserve team, and played once before deciding to leave home for university when I was 17). Many of my friends from there are playing in europe (second division german, a couple in first divisions in spain and england). I also love playing piano, but have not practiced in a while :(.
Scott
Riggs
San Francisco, CA
Applied Materials
My Work
I'm passionate about harnessing AI to accelerate innovation and scientific discovery. My research centers on using Bayesian optimization to tackle the challenges of complex systems, particularly temporal-spatial systems with limited experimental data. This has applications ranging from streamlining synthetic DNA assembly to optimizing large-scale supply chains.
I envision a world where AI accelerates progress by transforming how we tackle complex systems. Companies shouldn't be held back by a lack of AI expertise; my goal is to create accessible tools that empower them to optimize processes, drive innovation, and achieve breakthroughs. These advancements won't just boost their bottom line – they can lead to faster scientific discoveries, reduced environmental impact, and more cost-effective solutions across industries.
Building large scale art installations
I've motorcycled across the US more than 10 times.
Brandon
Clark
Palo Alto, CA
Tarpeh Lab, Stanford University
I research materials and electrochemical systems for resource recovery from wastewater. I envision a system that can recover ammonia, phosphate, and carbon dioxide from wastewater while generating desalinated water, acid, and base. I hope to advance a circular and sustainable economy of resources.
AI, biomass valorization, energy technology, plastic recycling
I have central heterochromia. My eyes have an inner and outer ring of colors.
Chi
Zhang
Boston
MIT
AI for programmable, predictable, and precision genomic medicines
Science-wise, I'm broadly interested in technologies related to molecules. Hobby-wise, I'm a sports and esports fan
I tried to cut off coffee but it only lasted three months
Bonnie
Maven
San Mateo, CA
Startup
I'm harnessing the full genetic power of sperm for healthier babies.
Anything dog/pet/vet-related!
I technically grew up on an island
Jinwei
Xu
Seattle
University of Washington, Institute for Protein Design
Expanding the information bandwidth by integrating biochemistry with electronics.
Artificial womb
I have lived a minimalist life in a camper van for one year while traveling across America.
Mengdie
Wang
Greater boston
UMass Medical School, RedPoint Oncology
My work is dedicated to developing effective therapies for lethal cancers. My vision is to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with cancers and help patients live longer with a better quality of life.
Mindfulness, space, outdoor, animal warefare, psycology, cooking, painting, guitar, piano, acting
I prefer to be on the right side when walking with people side by side
Zhizhen
Zhong
Boston
MIT
I would like to build a new type of data communication system in AI data centers that computes as data moves.
the business world, how the capital works
Alexis
Courbet
Seattle
Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington and Howard Hughes Medical Institute
My transition from academia to entrepreneurship is motivated by the development of a transformative technology expanding the information bandwidth between human biology and digital technologies.
Together with my partner Jinwei Xu, we pioneered an approach leveraging protein design and nanolithography to provide the first scalable interface between biochemistry and electronics, vastly expanding our ability to sense biological molecules with unprecedented levels of detail. This innovation is not merely an improvement over existing technologies; it is a leap towards a future where digital and biological systems could be seamlessly integrated.
Our work has the potential to solve remaining challenges for personalized medicine, environmental monitoring, and beyond, setting a new frontier in bioelectronics. Our project scope and ambition mark a complete departure from anything done before, aiming to reshape our understanding and interaction with the natural world on a molecular level, and transform human biology into an information technology.
With a background from synthetic biology to the frontiers of AI-based protein design, together with Jinwei we forged a synergistic partnership that leverages computational biochemistry with cutting-edge nanofabrication techniques. Our focus goes beyond transformational science to bring real-world impact. Together we share the same entrepreneurial vision and complementary skill set to bring our completely novel concept to market.
Too many to list here!
I am passionate about skiing volcanoes
Neil
Mitra
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mitra Biotechnologies Inc. | Presidential Scholar @ UBC | Masason Foundation Member | Z Fellow |Prev. @TNO, NOKIA
At Mitra Biotechnologies, we are aiming to build the transistor for diagnostic biology. I want to build a future where custom healthcare diagnostics are rapidly deployed at the rate of software and as easily accessible as over-the-counter medication.
Philosophy, Literature, and Visual Art
I paint abstract art in my free time!
Tay
Shin
Cambridge, Boston
MIT
I aim to leverage my expertise in bioengineering, chemistry, biology, and machine learning to transform the drug delivery field and fully unleash the potential of genomic medicine.
aerospace and climate
I'm naturally skeptical but have a very positive attitude.
Maria
Lukarska
San Francisco
UC Berkeley, previously at EMBL Grenoble (France)
My work is dedicated to engineering new enzymes and building systems to select for their functional properties. Currently we are using machine learning-guided designs to create improved gene editors. We can create new editors that could in the long term cure currently untreatable diseases. I believe that the technology that we are creating could make us rethink how we can address genetic diseases and access new possibilities for treatment.
Philosophy, music, literature, almost everything actually
I am on a 1275 days duolingo strike!
Niccolo
Cymbalist
Los Angeles
Tesla, Mercedes F1, Caltech Aeronautics
I am working on a zero-emission ocean freight transportation system the consists of a fleet of small, autonomous, wind-powered cargo vessels. My vision for the future of marine transportation is decentralized, simple, and low-impact, all while providing a more streamlined experience to those moving freight between continents.
Space, aviation
I grew up on a self sufficient farm.
Georg
Wachter
Boston
MIT (Weiss Lab // Biological Engineering)
We use intracellular neural networks to solve biological functions. Our first application is to enable multi-step differentiation of stem cells into hard to reach tissues (e.g. cell therapies & their precursors).
Electronics, consumer tech, philosophy, and whatever the latest kurzgesagt YouTube video is on…
I’m a huge board game nerd. More random: A monkey once peed on my head.
Fausto
Capelluto
Boston
Calafate Bio, Northeastern University, Volastra Therapeutics, Harvard Medical
I want to make drugs that truly cure patients, not symptoms, and better drugs start with better targets. My work focuses on unlocking a 360 view of mitochondrial biology in disease, moving way past bioenergetics. Mitochondrial dysfunction holds a causal role in a variety of diseases, including our first indicator, neurodegeneration. With our organelle-level computational pipeline, we can leverage novel insights to create first-in-class mitochondrial therapeutics for patient subtypes.
AI software integration, biomanufacturing and biological material science
I am colorblind and have ran into SEVERAL microscopy mishaps XD
Scott
Leighow
State College, PA
Postdoc in the Pritchard Lab at Penn State; co-founder of Red Ace Bio
My vision is to translate evolutionary gene therapies for cancer into a clinical reality. I’ve spent 6 years building and evaluating therapeutic genetic circuits in a lab, and now I’m ready to take the next steps towards bringing these therapies to cancer patients.
Not sure if this is too far removed from my research, but I’ve always been really interested in economics (how individual incentives/decisions emerge as macro-scale statistics) and linguistics (what languages can tell us about natural human history).
I’d like to visit all US National Parks, I’m about halfway there.
Jon
Bezney
San Francisco
Stanford, Broad Institute, Jumpcode Genomics
Designing programmable enzymes leveraging nature and AI. I envision precision medicine that leverages personalized genomics.
Health care. Human fitness and preventative health through exercise, nutrition, supplements, sleep etc. How we can utilize technology and big data to optimize human health.
I was an offensive lineman so I can eat 36 dumplings at one time
Maxim
Zaslavsky
NYC
5th year Stanford computer science PhD student. Previously: product manager at Butterfly Network responsible for ultrasound imaging software
50 million Americans — 80% of them women — have autoimmune diseases, but diagnosis takes years because there are no reliable lab tests and early symptoms are non-specific. Our goal is to bring precision medicine to autoimmunity. We’re building Mal-ID, a new type of blood test to find molecular signatures of autoimmune disease based on DNA sequencing and machine learning.
synthetic biology for agriculture - going pro-GMO
love to play jazz music
Itamar Chinn, Ilan Mitnikov, David Magrefy
Boston
Regina Barzilay Lab @ MIT CSAIL
Complex biological systems are defined by networks of biomolecular interactions (e.g. PPIs, metabolic networks, etc) and forces (e.g. condensates). We believe that AI models in biology are on the verge of “solving” biomolecular interactions. This opens up the gates to highly accurate simulations of entire biological systems. Protein folding allowed us to design proteins, now it’s time to design systems. We have a vision where using protein design models, interaction models and system-level perturbation models, we can design completely new biological systems (dare we say organisms…). Our first goal is to de novo design a molecular factory, able to produce novel chemistry for drug discovery applications and beyond.
I’m most curious to understand how we should pitch ourselves to companies that we want to work with. I understand that a significant part of building a deep tech company is finding technology-market fit, but as this involves a lot of R&D along the way, how do we survive as a company, how do we develop long lasting partnerships such that we can build towards our vision but also provide value during the building phase? If this was an enterprise SaaS company, we could iterate every day, but for us iteration will likely look different.
I used to work at a video game company
Table
First name
Last Name
Where are you based?
Your current affiliation
Describe your work and the vision you want to build in this world.
What are some areas outside of your research that you're curious about?
Random fact about you!
Picture!
Notes
1
Daniel
Rahn
Sunnyvale / San Francisco
SpaceX
I want to reduce waste and inefficiency in manufacturing. My goal is to develop a low cost system to improve inspections in electronics manufacturing and more effectivly identify defects.
Anything to do with biology, chemistry, computer science,
I lived in a sailboat for a while! (Currently in staying it)
Open
2
Pascal
Notin
Boston
Harvard University
I'm conducting research at the intersection of generative AI and protein engineering. My goal is to develop novel enzymes that will support our transition towards a sustainable economy.
New materials, chemistry, batteries
Father of an 11-month-old boy
Open
3
Dan
Voicu
Montreal
McGill University - Codruta Ignea Department of Bioengineering is where I am currently affiliated. Have also been previously associated with McGill iGEM (see top 10 in 2022, and grand prize winners in 2023). Have also worked in Multhaup lab, Chen lab at McGill, and Irina Dinu lab at University of Alberta.
I want to unlock the biodiversity of the natural world, and in doing so create better therapeutics, but also leverage these discoveries for better bioprocesses (generally). I am working on improving biosynthetic pathway elucidation. We acquire so many interesting compounds both medicinal, or environmental (like saponins as soaps), but we know relatively little about the actual metabolic pathways that let us elucidate these pathways, and elucidating them is a slow and laborious process. Since many of the compounds produced by biology are inaccessible by synthetic chemistry we aim to use synthetic biology to speed up the discovery process.
I want to build this because I feel that unlocking nature's vast biodiversity is key to us better understanding and building with biology. If we truly believe we are going to live in a biotic society in the next 25 years, we need to be able to understand what is happening in the pathways we want to engineer and control.
I am extremely curious about simulating cells - that said, how can we improve our spatio-temporal understanding of cells such that we can make better informed engineering decisions about biology. Generally I am quite interested in the disease prevention ("longevity" or healthy living rather) space, as well as climate tech and plant engineering. There is just too much crazy science going on, and I am just sad that I don't have time to learn it all. I would love to push the frontier of being a great founder, and then try to make other great science possible.
I used to play soccer professionally in Canada (in the Canadian premier league, where I was the captain of the reserve team, and played once before deciding to leave home for university when I was 17). Many of my friends from there are playing in europe (second division german, a couple in first divisions in spain and england). I also love playing piano, but have not practiced in a while :(.
Open
4
Scott
Riggs
San Francisco, CA
Applied Materials
My Work
I'm passionate about harnessing AI to accelerate innovation and scientific discovery. My research centers on using Bayesian optimization to tackle the challenges of complex systems, particularly temporal-spatial systems with limited experimental data. This has applications ranging from streamlining synthetic DNA assembly to optimizing large-scale supply chains.
I envision a world where AI accelerates progress by transforming how we tackle complex systems. Companies shouldn't be held back by a lack of AI expertise; my goal is to create accessible tools that empower them to optimize processes, drive innovation, and achieve breakthroughs. These advancements won't just boost their bottom line – they can lead to faster scientific discoveries, reduced environmental impact, and more cost-effective solutions across industries.
Building large scale art installations
I've motorcycled across the US more than 10 times.
Open
5
Brandon
Clark
Palo Alto, CA
Tarpeh Lab, Stanford University
I research materials and electrochemical systems for resource recovery from wastewater. I envision a system that can recover ammonia, phosphate, and carbon dioxide from wastewater while generating desalinated water, acid, and base. I hope to advance a circular and sustainable economy of resources.
AI, biomass valorization, energy technology, plastic recycling
I have central heterochromia. My eyes have an inner and outer ring of colors.
Open
6
Chi
Zhang
Boston
MIT
AI for programmable, predictable, and precision genomic medicines
Science-wise, I'm broadly interested in technologies related to molecules. Hobby-wise, I'm a sports and esports fan
I tried to cut off coffee but it only lasted three months
Open
7
Bonnie
Maven
San Mateo, CA
Startup
I'm harnessing the full genetic power of sperm for healthier babies.
Anything dog/pet/vet-related!
I technically grew up on an island
Open
8
Jinwei
Xu
Seattle
University of Washington, Institute for Protein Design
Expanding the information bandwidth by integrating biochemistry with electronics.
Artificial womb
I have lived a minimalist life in a camper van for one year while traveling across America.
Open
9
Mengdie
Wang
Greater boston
UMass Medical School, RedPoint Oncology
My work is dedicated to developing effective therapies for lethal cancers. My vision is to reduce the mortality and morbidity associated with cancers and help patients live longer with a better quality of life.
Mindfulness, space, outdoor, animal warefare, psycology, cooking, painting, guitar, piano, acting
I prefer to be on the right side when walking with people side by side
Open
10
Zhizhen
Zhong
Boston
MIT
I would like to build a new type of data communication system in AI data centers that computes as data moves.
the business world, how the capital works
Open
11
Alexis
Courbet
Seattle
Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington and Howard Hughes Medical Institute
My transition from academia to entrepreneurship is motivated by the development of a transformative technology expanding the information bandwidth between human biology and digital technologies.
Together with my partner Jinwei Xu, we pioneered an approach leveraging protein design and nanolithography to provide the first scalable interface between biochemistry and electronics, vastly expanding our ability to sense biological molecules with unprecedented levels of detail. This innovation is not merely an improvement over existing technologies; it is a leap towards a future where digital and biological systems could be seamlessly integrated.
Our work has the potential to solve remaining challenges for personalized medicine, environmental monitoring, and beyond, setting a new frontier in bioelectronics. Our project scope and ambition mark a complete departure from anything done before, aiming to reshape our understanding and interaction with the natural world on a molecular level, and transform human biology into an information technology.
With a background from synthetic biology to the frontiers of AI-based protein design, together with Jinwei we forged a synergistic partnership that leverages computational biochemistry with cutting-edge nanofabrication techniques. Our focus goes beyond transformational science to bring real-world impact. Together we share the same entrepreneurial vision and complementary skill set to bring our completely novel concept to market.
Too many to list here!
I am passionate about skiing volcanoes
Open
12
Neil
Mitra
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mitra Biotechnologies Inc. | Presidential Scholar @ UBC | Masason Foundation Member | Z Fellow |Prev. @TNO, NOKIA
At Mitra Biotechnologies, we are aiming to build the transistor for diagnostic biology. I want to build a future where custom healthcare diagnostics are rapidly deployed at the rate of software and as easily accessible as over-the-counter medication.
Philosophy, Literature, and Visual Art
I paint abstract art in my free time!
Open
13
Tay
Shin
Cambridge, Boston
MIT
I aim to leverage my expertise in bioengineering, chemistry, biology, and machine learning to transform the drug delivery field and fully unleash the potential of genomic medicine.
aerospace and climate
I'm naturally skeptical but have a very positive attitude.
Open
14
Maria
Lukarska
San Francisco
UC Berkeley, previously at EMBL Grenoble (France)
My work is dedicated to engineering new enzymes and building systems to select for their functional properties. Currently we are using machine learning-guided designs to create improved gene editors. We can create new editors that could in the long term cure currently untreatable diseases. I believe that the technology that we are creating could make us rethink how we can address genetic diseases and access new possibilities for treatment.
Philosophy, music, literature, almost everything actually
I am on a 1275 days duolingo strike!
Open
15
Niccolo
Cymbalist
Los Angeles
Tesla, Mercedes F1, Caltech Aeronautics
I am working on a zero-emission ocean freight transportation system the consists of a fleet of small, autonomous, wind-powered cargo vessels. My vision for the future of marine transportation is decentralized, simple, and low-impact, all while providing a more streamlined experience to those moving freight between continents.
Space, aviation
I grew up on a self sufficient farm.
Open
16
Georg
Wachter
Boston
MIT (Weiss Lab // Biological Engineering)
We use intracellular neural networks to solve biological functions. Our first application is to enable multi-step differentiation of stem cells into hard to reach tissues (e.g. cell therapies & their precursors).
Electronics, consumer tech, philosophy, and whatever the latest kurzgesagt YouTube video is on…
I’m a huge board game nerd. More random: A monkey once peed on my head.
Open
17
Fausto
Capelluto
Boston
Calafate Bio, Northeastern University, Volastra Therapeutics, Harvard Medical
I want to make drugs that truly cure patients, not symptoms, and better drugs start with better targets. My work focuses on unlocking a 360 view of mitochondrial biology in disease, moving way past bioenergetics. Mitochondrial dysfunction holds a causal role in a variety of diseases, including our first indicator, neurodegeneration. With our organelle-level computational pipeline, we can leverage novel insights to create first-in-class mitochondrial therapeutics for patient subtypes.
AI software integration, biomanufacturing and biological material science
I am colorblind and have ran into SEVERAL microscopy mishaps XD
Open
18
Scott
Leighow
State College, PA
Postdoc in the Pritchard Lab at Penn State; co-founder of Red Ace Bio
My vision is to translate evolutionary gene therapies for cancer into a clinical reality. I’ve spent 6 years building and evaluating therapeutic genetic circuits in a lab, and now I’m ready to take the next steps towards bringing these therapies to cancer patients.
Not sure if this is too far removed from my research, but I’ve always been really interested in economics (how individual incentives/decisions emerge as macro-scale statistics) and linguistics (what languages can tell us about natural human history).
I’d like to visit all US National Parks, I’m about halfway there.
Open
19
Jon
Bezney
San Francisco
Stanford, Broad Institute, Jumpcode Genomics
Designing programmable enzymes leveraging nature and AI. I envision precision medicine that leverages personalized genomics.
Health care. Human fitness and preventative health through exercise, nutrition, supplements, sleep etc. How we can utilize technology and big data to optimize human health.
I was an offensive lineman so I can eat 36 dumplings at one time
Open
20
Maxim
Zaslavsky
NYC
5th year Stanford computer science PhD student. Previously: product manager at Butterfly Network responsible for ultrasound imaging software
50 million Americans — 80% of them women — have autoimmune diseases, but diagnosis takes years because there are no reliable lab tests and early symptoms are non-specific. Our goal is to bring precision medicine to autoimmunity. We’re building Mal-ID, a new type of blood test to find molecular signatures of autoimmune disease based on DNA sequencing and machine learning.
synthetic biology for agriculture - going pro-GMO
love to play jazz music
Open
21
Itamar Chinn, Ilan Mitnikov, David Magrefy
Boston
Regina Barzilay Lab @ MIT CSAIL
Complex biological systems are defined by networks of biomolecular interactions (e.g. PPIs, metabolic networks, etc) and forces (e.g. condensates). We believe that AI models in biology are on the verge of “solving” biomolecular interactions. This opens up the gates to highly accurate simulations of entire biological systems. Protein folding allowed us to design proteins, now it’s time to design systems. We have a vision where using protein design models, interaction models and system-level perturbation models, we can design completely new biological systems (dare we say organisms…). Our first goal is to de novo design a molecular factory, able to produce novel chemistry for drug discovery applications and beyond.
I’m most curious to understand how we should pitch ourselves to companies that we want to work with. I understand that a significant part of building a deep tech company is finding technology-market fit, but as this involves a lot of R&D along the way, how do we survive as a company, how do we develop long lasting partnerships such that we can build towards our vision but also provide value during the building phase? If this was an enterprise SaaS company, we could iterate every day, but for us iteration will likely look different.
I used to work at a video game company
Open
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