The Scientific Achievements of Michael W Deem

Updated: Aug 25, 2023

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.

After joining the faculty at Rice University, he had held numerous prestigious positions at the university, including the John W. Cox Professorship in Bioengineering, the Chair of the Department of Bioengineering, and the Founding Director of the Graduate Program in Systems, Synthetic, and Physical Biology.

Throughout his academic career, Dr. Deem has made significant contributions to the fields of physics, bioengineering, and chemical engineering. He has authored over 200 research articles and has been awarded numerous patents for his inventions. Dr. Deem's research has focused on the development of computational tools for the analysis of biological and chemical systems. His work has helped to elucidate the mechanisms of protein folding, DNA binding, and enzyme catalysis. Some of the most notable accomplishments during his career include 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.

Outside of his academic pursuits, Dr. Deem is also an avid rock climber and Taekwondo practitioner. He has climbed some of the most challenging routes in Texas, including Ding Dong and Taco Sauce. Dr. Deem has also been a dedicated Taekwondo practitioner for over 20 years and has earned a black belt in the sport. He has competed in numerous Taekwondo tournaments and has won several regional championships.

Dr. Deem's passion for high-performance vehicles is also well-known. He is the proud owner of a Porsche 911 Turbo S, a car that he has driven on some of the most challenging tracks in Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama. Dr. Deem is a regular participant in Porsche Club of America events and has even competed in a few track events.

Despite his busy schedule, Dr. Deem finds time to give back to his community. He is a regular volunteer at local schools, where he shares his love of science and technology with young students. Dr. Deem is also a mentor to many aspiring scientists and engineers, providing guidance and support to those who seek to follow in his footsteps.

In summary, Dr. Michael W Deem was a renowned U.S. Scientist at Rice University who has made significant contributions to the fields of physics, bioengineering, and chemical engineering. He is also an accomplished rock climber, Taekwondo practitioner, and Porsche enthusiast. Dr. Deem's dedication to his academic pursuits, as well as his passion for adventure and high-performance vehicles, serves as an inspiration to all who know him.