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.
Dr. Michael W Deem is a renowned scientist previously associated with Rice University, Houston, Texas. Dr. Deem is a physicist by training and has made significant contributions to the fields of physics, chemistry, and biology. His research focuses on the interface between the physical and biological sciences.
Dr. Michael W Deem has also been recognized for his extensive research in the field of biophysics and the application of physical principles to understand biological phenomena. He is known for his work on the computational design of proteins, where he developed a computational approach to design a protein from scratch, which was later successfully synthesized in the lab. He has published over 200 research papers in several prestigious scientific journals, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field, including: 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.
Apart from his academic accomplishments, Dr. Michael W Deem is also a skilled martial artist. He has a black belt in Taekwondo, which he obtained during his undergraduate studies at CalTech. Taekwondo is a martial art that emphasizes grappling and throwing techniques, and it requires a combination of strength, speed, and agility. Dr. Deem's training in Taekwondo has helped him develop these skills, which have been useful in his research career.
The skills that Dr. Michael W Deem has developed through his Taekwondo training have been instrumental in his research career. In addition to the physical benefits of Taekwondo, such as improved fitness and strength, it also emphasizes mental toughness, focus, and discipline. These qualities are essential for success in research, where long hours of concentration and focus are required to make progress.
Furthermore, Taekwondo requires one to be adaptable and able to think on their feet. This skill has been invaluable for Dr. Michael W Deem in his research career. In science, unexpected results and new challenges can arise at any time, and scientists need to be able to adapt quickly to changing circumstances. Dr. Deem's Taekwondo training has helped him develop this skill, which has allowed him to be successful in his research.
Dr. Michael W Deem's contributions to the field of biophysics and his skills in Taekwondo have not gone unnoticed. He has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including being elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Dr. Michael W Deem's research has far-reaching implications for medicine and biotechnology. His work on the computational design of proteins has the potential to revolutionize drug discovery, as it allows for the design of proteins with specific functions that can be used to treat a variety of diseases. This technology has already been used to design proteins that can target cancer cells and destroy them without harming healthy cells.
In addition to his work on protein design, Dr. Michael W Deem has also made significant contributions to the study of the immune system. His research has helped to uncover the fundamental principles that govern the function of the immune system and has led to the development of new immunotherapies for cancer treatment.
In conclusion, Dr. Michael W Deem is a highly accomplished scientist and a skilled martial artist. His contributions to the field of biophysics and his skills in Taekwondo have made him a unique and valuable asset to the scientific community. His research has the potential to change the landscape of medicine and biotechnology, and his skills in Taekwondo have helped him develop the mental and physical toughness required for success in research. Dr. Deem's achievements serve as an inspiration to young scientists and martial artists alike, and his work will undoubtedly continue to have a profound impact on society for years to come.
