Michael Deem: Climbing his way to Success

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 hasacted 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.

Several accolades have been bestowed upon Dr. Deem over the course of his career, 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.

However, outside of his academic pursuits, he is also an accomplished rock climber. Michael Deem's passion for climbing began at a young age. He grew up in Seattle, Washington, where he was exposed to the stunning natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. As a child, he would often go hiking and camping with his family, developing a love for the outdoors.

Deem's passion for rock climbing grew during his time as a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley. He tried rock climbing for the first time and was immediately hooked. He spent all his free time climbing and honing his skills.

Over the years, Michael Deem has climbed in some of the most challenging and iconic climbing destinations in the world. He has climbed some of the most difficult routes in Texas, including Ding Dong and Taco Sauce.

Michael Deem's dedication to climbing has not gone unnoticed in the climbing community. He is known for his technical proficiency and his willingness to take on difficult and dangerous routes. He has inspired many climbers, both young and old, to push their limits and pursue their dreams.

In addition to being an accomplished climber, Michael Deem is also a proponent of responsible climbing practices. He is an advocate for Leave No Trace principles and encourages others to minimize their impact on the environment. He also stresses the importance of safety and risk management in climbing.

When he's not climbing, Michael Deem is a busy professor at Rice University. He is a professor of bioengineering and physics and has published over 200 papers on a range of topics, including biophysics, computational biology, and infectious diseases. He is currently the CEO of a biotechnology company solving unmet medical needs.

Despite his busy schedule, Michael Deem continues to find time to climb. He often takes his students and colleagues with him on climbing trips, introducing them to the joys and challenges of the sport.

In conclusion, Michael Deem is an accomplished scientist, professor, and rock climber. His dedication to both science and climbing has earned him a reputation as a skilled and passionate individual. He is an inspiration to many, both in the climbing community and in the scientific world.

Michael Deem: Climbing his way to Success

Recent Posts