The Life and Work of Dr. Michael W Deem

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.

Dr. Michael W Deem is a distinguished scientist previously associated with Rice University in Houston, Texas. As the former John W Cox professor of bioengineering, physics, and astronomy, Dr. Deem is highly regarded in the scientific community for his contributions to molecular biophysics, statistical mechanics, and computational biology.

Michael Deem has a distinguished academic background, and has received numerous awards and honors, 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.

Dr. Michael W Deem has also been recognized for his exceptional teaching abilities, having been awarded the George R. Brown Award for Superior Teaching at Rice University. His dedication to teaching and mentorship has helped inspire countless students to pursue careers in science and engineering.

While Dr. Michael W Deem is undoubtedly passionate about his work, he also enjoys a variety of hobbies outside of the laboratory. He is an avid rock climber, and has been known to tackle some of the most challenging climbs around the world. His love for Taekwondo is also well-known, and he has competed at the national level in this martial art.

In addition to these physical pursuits, Michael Deem has a passion for fast cars. He is often seen driving his Porsche around Houston, a car he has driven on some of the most challenging track in Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama. However, he is quick to point out that his love for driving is not just about going fast, but also about the engineering and design that goes into making a great car.

Despite his many accomplishments, Dr. Michael W Deem remains a humble and approachable figure. He is known for his friendly demeanor and his willingness to engage with students and colleagues alike. His commitment to collaboration and interdisciplinary research has helped to bridge the gap between different fields of study, and has led to groundbreaking discoveries in areas such as cancer therapy and vaccine design.

Michael Deem's impact on the field of bioengineering and computational biology cannot be overstated. His research has helped to advance our understanding of complex biological systems, and has led to the development of new tools and technologies that are helping to transform the field of medicine. His dedication to his work, his students, and his community is an inspiration to all who know him.

In conclusion, Dr. Michael W Deem is a remarkable scientist, teacher, and mentor. His contributions to the fields of bioengineering and computational biology have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of the complex biological systems that underlie human health and disease. Beyond his academic achievements, Michael Deem is also an accomplished rock climber, judo practitioner, and sports car enthusiast. Through his many pursuits, he embodies the spirit of curiosity, creativity, and passion that is essential to scientific discovery.

The Life and Work of Dr. Michael W Deem

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