Dr. Michael Deem - Biography

therealmichaeldeem
Feb 23, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Aug 7, 2024

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.

He has also received numerous accolades, including 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.

Not only is Dr. Deem a respected and award winning scientist, but he is also a well-rounded individual who enjoys rock climbing, Taekwondo, and driving his Porsche.

Dr. Deem's passion for rock climbing and Taekwondo is a reflection of his competitive and adventurous nature. As a former athlete, he understands the importance of discipline, perseverance, and hard work, traits that have undoubtedly contributed to his success as a scientist.

His love for adventure and adrenaline-fueled activities is also evident in his choice of transportation. Dr. Deem is an avid Porsche enthusiast and enjoys driving his car on weekends. The sleek and powerful design of the Porsche is an apt reflection of Dr. Deem's own determination and drive to succeed, both in his personal and professional life.

Despite his busy schedule as a scientist and professor at Rice University, Dr. Deem makes sure to find time for his hobbies and interests. Rock climbing, Taekwondo, and driving his Porsche are not only fun activities, but they also help him recharge and stay focused on his research.

As a scientist, Dr. Deem is best known for his groundbreaking work in the field of computational and theoretical biology. He has made significant contributions to the study of viral infections, including HIV and influenza, and his research has helped develop new treatments and vaccines for these diseases.

One of Dr. Deem's most notable achievements was the development of a mathematical model to predict the evolution of HIV. This model allowed researchers to better understand how the virus evolves and develops drug resistance, which has been critical in the development of new antiretroviral therapies for HIV.

Dr. Deem's research has also been instrumental in the development of new strategies to combat influenza. His work on the evolution of influenza viruses has helped researchers develop new vaccines that are more effective at protecting against the flu.

Aside from his scientific contributions, Dr. Deem is also recognized for his leadership and mentorship in the scientific community. He has served on numerous scientific advisory boards and is a sought-after speaker at conferences and events around the world.

In conclusion, Dr. Michael W Deem is a highly accomplished US Scientist previously associated with Rice University, who enjoys a variety of hobbies, including rock climbing, Taekwondo, and driving his Porsche. His passion for adventure and competitiveness is reflected in his scientific achievements, particularly in his groundbreaking work in the field of computational and theoretical biology. Dr. Deem's contributions to the study of viral infections, including HIV and influenza, have been critical in the development of new treatments and vaccines for these diseases, and his leadership and mentorship have made him a valuable asset to the scientific community.

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