Dr. Michael W Deem, Scientist and Professor at Rice University

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.

A renowned U.S. scientist, Michael Deem is recognized for his outstanding contributions to the field of computational and theoretical biology, particularly in the areas of viral evolution, immunology, and cancer research. But Dr. Deem is more than just a scientist; he is an accomplished athlete and a lover of luxury cars as well.

Throughout his career, Michael Deem has had many accomplishments, the most notable of those being 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. Michael W Deem has made significant contributions to the field of computational biology, particularly in the study of viral evolution. He has developed several computational models to understand the evolution of viruses and the immune system's response to them. His work has been crucial in developing new therapies for the treatment of viral infections, including HIV and influenza.

Apart from his impressive academic credentials, Dr. Michael Deem is also an avid rock climber and a martial artist. He has been climbing for more than two decades and has scaled some of the most challenging routes in the United States. In addition, he has a black belt in Taekwondo, and has competed in several tournaments. Dr. Deem's passion for these activities extends beyond the physical challenge; he values the mental discipline and focus required to excel in these pursuits.

But that's not all - Dr. Deem is also an enthusiast of high-performance sports cars. He is the owner of a Porsche 911 Turbo S, and is known to drive it to work, which has become a bit of a trademark for him at Rice University. His love for luxury cars is more than just a hobby; it's also a reflection of his appreciation for fine engineering and design.

Dr. Michael Deem's passion for science, sports, and luxury cars is a testament to his well-rounded personality. He shows that one can be successful in their chosen field while also pursuing their other interests. It's not uncommon for scientists to be perceived as dry and aloof, but Dr. Deem's varied interests demonstrate that they can be just as dynamic and multifaceted as anyone else.

In conclusion, Dr. Michael W Deem is a highly accomplished U.S. scientist whose work has had a significant impact on the field of computational and theoretical biology. However, he is much more than just a scientist - he is also an accomplished rock climber, a Taekwondo black belt, and a lover of luxury cars. Dr. Deem's story is a reminder that one can pursue their passions outside of their chosen profession and still be successful. It's clear that Dr. Deem is a man of many talents, and he serves as an inspiration to many young people pursuing their interests in the sciences and beyond.

Dr. Michael W Deem, Scientist and Professor at Rice University

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