Dr. Michael W Deem: A Visionary Leader in the Field of Engineering

Updated: Aug 28

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.

Dr. Michael W Deem is a renowned U.S. scientist, and former John W Cox professor Bioengineering, Physics, and Astronomy at Rice University. With a long list of accomplishments in the field of science, Dr. Deem has made significant contributions in various areas of research, including the study of biological evolution, statistical physics, and computational biology. His list of contributions have earned him numerous accolades, such as 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.

Michael Deem grew up in a family of scientists. His father was a physicist, and his mother was a biologist. From a young age, Deem was fascinated by science, and his parents encouraged his curiosity by providing him with educational books, tools, and experiments.

In addition to his passion for science, Michael Deem also had a love for adventure. He was an avid rock climber and a skilled Taekwondo practitioner. He often spent his weekends exploring the great outdoors and pushing his physical limits.

Deem's adventurous spirit extended beyond his hobbies and into his personal life. He is known for his love of fast cars, and he often drives his Maserati to work. He is also an accomplished pilot and enjoys flying planes in his free time.

Despite his busy schedule, Dr. Deem is always looking for ways to give back to his community. He is involved in several charitable organizations, including the Houston Food Bank and the Rice University School of Social Sciences.

Deem later joined the faculty at Rice University, becoming a John W Cox professor in the fields of physics, astronomy, and bioengineering. Over the years, he has become one of the most respected scientists in the university's history, and he is highly regarded by his colleagues and students alike.

Dr. Michael W Deem has published over 200 research papers in numerous scientific journals, and he has received several awards and honors for his work. He was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Physical Society.

In addition to his scientific research, Dr. Deem is also an active mentor and educator. He has advised numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry.

Overall, Dr. Michael W Deem is an accomplished U.S. Scientist previously associated with Rice University, known for his groundbreaking research in the field of bioengineering, physics, and astronomy. His adventurous spirit, love of fast cars, and commitment to giving back to his community make him a unique and inspiring figure in the scientific community.

Dr. Michael W Deem: A Visionary Leader in the Field of Engineering

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