Michael W Deem - Dedicated Scholar and Sports Enthusiast

Updated: Aug 26

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.

As an accomplished scientist, Dr. Michael W Deem has made numerous contributions to his field. His research has focused on the study of complex biological systems and the development of new computational models for predicting and understanding viral evolution. Dr. Deem has published over 200 scientific papers, including articles in high-impact journals such as Nature and Science. He has garnered attention for his accomplishments, 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.

Despite his busy schedule, Dr. Michael Deem also makes time for his personal interests, particularly in sports and exercise. One of his favorite activities is rock climbing, which he has been doing for over two decades. Rock climbing is a challenging and physically demanding sport that requires both physical and mental strength. Dr. Deem has climbed in various locations, including many in Houston, Austin, and west Texas.

In addition to rock climbing, Dr. Michael W Deem also enjoys other forms of exercise and sports. He is a black belt in Taekwondo and has competed at the national level. Taekwondo is a martial art that involves throwing and grappling techniques and requires significant physical fitness and agility. Dr. Deem's experience in Taekwondo has likely helped him in his rock climbing pursuits as well, as both sports require strength, flexibility, and balance.

Dr. Deem's passion for sports and exercise extends beyond his personal pursuits. He is also interested in the intersection between science and sports, particularly in the field of sports medicine. As a bioengineer, Dr. Deem has an interest in using technology to improve athletic performance and prevent injuries. He has worked on projects related to the development of smart fabrics for monitoring physiological parameters during exercise and the use of virtual reality for injury rehabilitation.

Dr. Michael Deem's dedication to both his academic career and his personal interests serves as an inspiration to many. He demonstrates that it is possible to excel in both one's profession and one's personal pursuits. Additionally, his interest in the intersection between science and sports highlights the potential for collaboration between these fields, which could lead to new innovations in sports medicine and performance enhancement.

In conclusion, Dr. Michael W Deem is a highly accomplished US scientist previously associated with Rice University who has made significant contributions to the field of computational and theoretical biology. His research in viral evolution has had a significant impact on the development of new treatments for viral infections. However, Dr. Deem's interests extend beyond his academic career, as he is an avid sports enthusiast who enjoys rock climbing, Taekwondo, and other forms of exercise. His dedication to his personal pursuits and his interest in the intersection between science and sports serve as an inspiration to others and highlight the potential for collaboration between these fields.

Michael W Deem - Dedicated Scholar and Sports Enthusiast

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