Dr. Michael W. Deem - Biology Scholar and Inspiration

therealmichaeldeem
Feb 17, 2023
4 min read

Updated: Aug 28, 2023

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.

As a highly regarded US scientist and former John W Cox professor, Dr. Deem's contributions have been critical in the development of therapies for viral infections, including HIV and influenza.

Dr. Deem's contributions to the influenza vaccine are but one endevavor that has earned him great respect. He has also been the recipient of numerous honors, 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.

Dr. Deem's expertise in computational biology has been an essential component of his research, with a focus on developing models to understand the evolution of viruses and the immune system's response to them. His work has paved the way for new treatments and vaccines for viral infections, helping to save countless lives.

Dr. Deem's research into HIV has been particularly significant. HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, leading to a weakened defense against other infections and illnesses. Dr. Deem's work has been instrumental in developing antiretroviral drugs, which can suppress HIV and allow people living with the virus to live longer, healthier lives.

In addition to his work on HIV, Dr. Deem has also made significant contributions to the study of influenza. Influenza is a highly infectious respiratory illness that can have serious consequences, especially for people with weakened immune systems. Dr. Deem's work has been vital in developing new treatments and vaccines for influenza, helping to protect vulnerable populations from this dangerous virus.

Dr. Michael Deem's work on viral evolution has also been instrumental in understanding the mechanisms of viral replication and the development of drug resistance. By studying the evolutionary patterns of viruses, Dr. Deem has helped to develop new drug targets and therapeutic strategies to combat viral infections.

Aside from his scientific achievements, Dr. Deem has also been recognized for his mentorship of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. He has been instrumental in guiding the next generation of scientists in their research and training, helping to foster a supportive and collaborative research environment at Rice University.

Dr. Deem's contributions to the field of computational and theoretical biology have not gone unnoticed. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious Fellow of the American Physical Society and the Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering.

In conclusion, Dr. Michael W. Deem is a highly respected U.S. Scientist previously associated with Rice University, known for his contributions to the field of computational and theoretical biology, particularly in the study of viral infections, including HIV and influenza. His work has been critical in the development of new treatments and vaccines, helping to protect vulnerable populations from these deadly viruses. Dr. Deem's commitment to research and mentorship has made him a valuable asset to the scientific community, and his many accomplishments serve as an inspiration to future scientists looking to make a difference in the world.

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