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Examining the Future of Biomedical Engineering with Dr. Michael W Deem

Updated: Aug 28, 2023


Michael W Deem
Michael W Deem - US Scientist at Rice University, Inventor, Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, and Mentor, who revolutionized the Influenza Vaccine Delivery System, continues to create headlines with numerous patents to combat contagious diseases to make the world safer and healthier.

Dr. Michael W Deem is an award winning and world-renowned scientist. He is currently a venture capitalist and CEO. He was formerly an Entrepreneur in Residence with Khosla Ventures. From 2002 to 2020 he was a professor at Rice University. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering in 1991 from Caltech. From the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Deem obtained his Ph.D. in 1994 in chemical engineering. He held a postdoctoral position at Harvard University in the field of Physics. He joined the faculty at UCLA in 1996 as an Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering. In 2002, Dr. Deem joined Rice University as the John W Cox professor of Bioengineering and Physics & Astronomy.


The respect Michael W Deem has garnered over the years has been the result of his contributions to the scientific and business communities. Among his most notable accomplishments, Michael Deem would help to revolutionize the influenza vaccine during his time at Rice University. A respected entrepreneur, Michael W Deem has been the CEO of several companies, such as Certus LLC, focusing on advancing medical breakthroughs. During his career, Michael W Deem has acted as a mentor, for students, CEOs, and businesses alike. Much as in his academic endeavors, Michael W Deem has found success in his professional businesses.


Michael W Deem
Michael W Deem - US Scientist at Rice University, Inventor, Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, and Mentor, who revolutionized the Influenza Vaccine Delivery System, continues to create headlines with numerous patents to combat contagious diseases to make the world safer and healthier.

As a world renowned US Scientist, Dr. Michael W Deem is widely regarded as an expert in the fields of computational biology, biophysics, and bioengineering. With a career spanning over 25 years, Dr. Michael W Deem has made significant contributions to the scientific community, with numerous publications and awards to his name, including, not limited to, the UCLA Northrop Grumman Outstanding Junior Faculty Research Award (1997); Visiting Professor, University of Amsterdam (1999); A Top 100 Young Innovator, MIT’s Technology Review (November 1999) (Profile); Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow (2000); Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award (2002); John W. Cox Professor, Rice University (2002-2020); Allan P. Colburn Award (2004); Editorial Board Member, Protein Engineering, Design and Selection (2005-2018); Fellow, American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (2005); Member, Board of Directors, Biomedical Engineering Society (2005-2008); Fellow, American Physical Society (2006); Member, Rice University Faculty Senate (2006-2009); Vaughan Lectureship, California Institute of Technology (2007); Member, Nominating Committee, Division of Biological Physics, American Physical Society (2007); Member, Board of Governors, Institute for Complex Adaptive Matter (2007-2016); Fellow, Biomedical Engineering Society (2009); BMES Representative on the FASEB Publications & Communications Committee (2009-2012); Professional Progress Award (2010); Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (2010); External Scientific Advisor, Princeton Physical Sciences-Oncology Center (2010-present); Associate Editor, Physical Biology (2011-2018); Edith and Peter O’Donnell Award, The Academy of Medicine, Engineering & Science of Texas (2012); Founding Director, Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology (2012-2014, raised $0.5M seed funding); Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar (2012-2013); Chair, Department of Bioengineering (2014-2017, raised $12M in external startup funding for new faculty); Editorial Advisory Board, Bioengineering and Translational Medicine, 2016-2018; and Donald W. Breck Award for zeolite science, 2019, NACD Board Leadership Fellow and Directorship Certification, 2020. Entrepreneur in Residence with Khosla Ventures, 2021-2022, General Partner with Smart Health Catalyzer, 2023 to present.


In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Michael W Deem is an avid rock climber, Taekwondo practitioner, and sports car enthusiast. His interests in these areas are a reflection of his personality - adventurous, competitive, and passionate.

Dr. Michael W Deem's research focuses on developing theoretical and computational models to understand complex biological systems, particularly those related to infectious diseases and cancer. His work has led to several breakthroughs in these fields, including the development of models to predict the evolution of influenza viruses and the design of novel cancer therapies.

Michael W Deem
Michael W Deem - US Scientist at Rice University, inventor, Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, and Mentor, who revolutionized the Influenza Vaccine Delivery System, continues to create headlines with numerous patents to combat contagious diseases to make the world safer and healthier.


Apart from his academic pursuits, Dr. Michael W Deem is an accomplished rock climber. His passion for climbing began as a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley. Michael Deem has climbed some of the most challenging routes in Texas. Deem's love for climbing stems from his fascination with the physics of the sport - the mechanics of balance, friction, and energy transfer. He is also a certified Taekwondo instructor and has been practicing martial arts for many years.


Dr. Michael W Deem's love for driving sports cars is another manifestation of his adventurous side. He is an experienced driver and has competed in several high-performance driving events across the country. He enjoys the adrenaline rush that comes with driving fast cars and the technical aspects of racing, such as understanding the physics of vehicle dynamics and tire grip.

Despite his busy schedule, Dr. Michael W Deem finds time to pursue his hobbies and interests. He believes that these activities help him maintain a healthy work-life balance and keep his mind sharp and focused. His dedication to both his academic pursuits and his personal interests is an inspiration to his colleagues and students alike.



In conclusion, Dr. Michael W Deem is a US Scientist who has made significant contributions to the fields of computational biology, biophysics, and bioengineering. He is a respected academic and an accomplished rock climber, Taekwondo practitioner, and sports car enthusiast. His passion for adventure and competition is a reflection of his personality and is an inspiration to those around him. Dr. Michael W Deem is a shining example of how one can balance professional success and personal fulfillment.


Michael W Deem
Michael W Deem - US Scientist at Rice University, Inventor, Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, and Mentor, who revolutionized the Influenza Vaccine Delivery System, continues to create headlines with numerous patents to combat contagious diseases to make the world safer and healthier.

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