Search results for: “systems biology”

  • The Mathematics of Nuclear Import

    Although my fascination with mathematical/systems biology did not kick in until relatively late in my education, I was encouraged by Professor Michael Brenner to pursue additional research beyond my limited coursework in the field. The project that we worked on involved using the technique of dominant balances to simplify the mathematical model built by the Macara group to probe the role of the Ran gradient in nuclear import. Although this research was never completed, it afforded me a rare opportunity to apply some simple Applied Mathematics reasoning to a very “traditional” biological problem and to arrive at some interesting conclusions.

    Applying Dominant Balances to a Model of Nuclear Import

    Abstract:

    Mathematical models of complex biological systems are oftentimes exceedingly complex despite relatively simple system dynamics. This report investigates one complex model of protein nuclear import, a process which has been experimentally shown to depend on the large concentration gradient of Ran-GTP between the nucleus and cytoplasm. It shows that the method of dominant balances can be used to selectively study the system’s behavior, including determining a simple, yet accurate relationship which yields the numerical value of the Ran-GTP gradient.

    [PDF]

  • CV

    Professional Experience

    Freelance (2023 – Present; remote): Product / Strategy work

    • Conduct high-impact topgrading interviews for VC-backed company to assess cultural fit and skills alignment
    • Led product management and software architecture for creator agency building internal tooling for metrics/reporting, top-of-funnel growth initiatives, an internal linkinbio tool, Chrome extension-based operational tooling, and AI-powered fan engagement tooling
    • Reviewed existing compensation scheme and financial/operational metrics to propose an alternative scheme with better incentive alignment at creator agency
    • Devised new commercial positioning and more-customer-centric webpage for VC-backed AI-powered Intelligent Document Processing startup previously focused mainly on technology
    • Wrote whitepaper about the application of reinforcement learning to the Pacific theater for VC-backed defensetech company for consumption within the Federal government
    • Identified non-defense markets and rough sizing for VC-backed defensetech startup seeking revenue diversification and means to scale up production faster (as proof point for government sales discussions)
    • Evaluated healthcare market as opportunity for VC-backed AI SaaS startup and prioritized specific segments to target vs. avoid given firm’s existing technology stack, opportunity size, and additional development needed

    Stir (2021 – 2023; San Francisco): Product & Data Science/AI Lead

    Stir was a venture-backed company focused on building technology to enable creatives to better collaborate which raised $20M from top Silicon Valley VCs such as Homebrew and a16z

    • Guided roadmap and implementation of product functionality (including key features such as Manager Access, mobile web, Invoices, international payments, early monetization, etc.) which helped grow transaction volume from <$2M/yr run rate to >$200M/yr at its peak
    • Strong experience working with Plaid and Stripe APIs to deliver customized financial service offerings
    • Built metrics and reporting infrastructure from the ground-up with a mix of SQL and business intelligence tooling for internal purposes and to support reporting needs of multiple enterprise customers
    • Served as data science/AI lead, building Playwright & BeautifulSoup-based scrapers, a prototype prompt engineering tool for image generation, serverless vector-based image search functionality, and a prototype chained LLM metasearch application

    Maximus (2020 – 2021; remote): VP Product and Strategy

    Maximus is a consumer health company that provides men with content, community, and clinical support to optimize them in mind and body. Maximus raised $15M from top Silicon Valley VCs such as Founders Fund and 8VC as well as leading angel investors/operators

    • Provided product and operational leadership culminating in release of MVP version of company’s first subscription product offering in Q2 2021
    • Oversaw team of engineers & designers supporting all software product and internal systems development within company
    • Developed user-friendly patient experience and compliant legal & software infrastructure needed for multi-state telemedicince operations in coordination with regulatory, finance, pharmacy partners, clinical labs partners, electronic medical record, clinicians, and other third parties
    • Built “operator manual” for launch operations that can be handed over to non-technical staff
    • Guided roadmap for further state and product launches, user experience enhancements, and infrastructure / operational improvements
    • Team member #1 with oversight over company’s fundraising close, as well as set up of initial legal, finance, and HR systems
    • Continuing to serve as an advisor

    1955 Capital (2016 – ; Bay Area): Venture Partner

    1955 Capital is a U.S.-based venture capital firm that invests in technologies from the developed world that can help solve the developing world’s greatest challenges in areas like energy, the environment, food safety, health, education, and manufacturing. 

    • Team member #1 with far-ranging responsibilities including sourcing, due diligence, fundraising, deal execution, team construction, and process creation
    • Generalist within the firm with emphasis across deep technologies (cleantech, semiconductors, hardware, and healthcare)
    • Worked directly with portfolio company management teams including Gridtential, Nature’s Fynd, Ampaire, Craif, and Vital Bio, and other still-unannounced investments in aviation, energy, diagnostics, and advanced materials
    • Created firm’s first special purpose vehicles for investments leveraging alternative capital formation as strategy

    Clint Health (2020; Bay Area): Product Consultant

    Clint, the clinical intelligence platform, automates the identification of a patient’s true clinical state by analyzing all medical data the same way a physician does. Clint understands what conditions a patient has, why they have it, how well they have been treated, and how they should be treated. Armed with these clinical grade insights, clinicians and researchers are able to identify and treat guideline directed care gaps, identify patients eligible for clinical trials and unite clinical care with clinical research.

    • Provided product management, design & engineering leadership, and strategic guidance for several of company’s product efforts
    • Overhauled prior dashboard product to improve usability and support insight needs for commercial / medical affairs customers within life sciences organizations
    • Developed care gap closure use case for payer / value-based provider customers and built framework for opportunity sizing to facilitate pitches
    • Built initial concept prototypes on clinical trial optimization / external control arm product

    Yik Yak (2014 – 2015; Atlanta): VP, Product & Business Development

    Yik Yak was a venture-backed startup building hyperlocal communities for mobile devices which has raised over $70M in venture funding since its inception.

    • Drove Series B fundraising process leading to a $60M+ financing
    • Built and managed team of 6 PMs, designers, and UX researchers supporting all product and systems development within company
    • Guided roadmap and implementation of over 1 year of releases (including key functionality like phone number verification, reply icons, notification center, My Herd, sharing, web)
    • Handled all preliminary partnership conversations and executed on partnerships with University of Florida, MTV, Comedy Central, and Bleacher Report

    DCM (2010 – 2014;  Bay Area): VP, Investments

    DCM is a leading early stage venture capital fund based in the Silicon Valley, Beijing, and Tokyo, managing over $3B in assets.

    • Generalist within firm with emphasis on opportunities in deep technologies (cleantech, semiconductors), connected platforms (MVNO, smart TV, OTT streaming), and new models for healthcare
    • Drove due diligence processes on and worked directly with management at portfolio companies on product strategy, fundraising, financial planning, business development and hiring including SoFi, Whistle, 1Mainstream, Analogix, Matterport, PlayStudios, Cognitive Networks, and Enovix
    • Built software tool to programmatically parse data from AppAnnie (mobile app store rankings data vendor)

    Bain & Company (2007 – 2010;  Bay Area): Senior Associate Consultant

    Bain & Company is a leading management consulting firm.

    • Performed competitive benchmarking to compare a client’s manufacturing operations with industry best-in-class
    • Analyzed technology industry profitability to identify attractive growth vectors for large tech client and highlight key differences between profit/power concentration in different verticals
    • Conducted financial and strategic diligence on wide range of potential acquisition targets (ranging in value from ~$100M to over $50B) to map out strategic acquisition options and gameboarding scenarios for a Fortune 500 technology client
    • Facilitated concept development and pilot phase of client initiative to provide operational support services for supply chain
    • Provided strategic and financial analysis to aid multiple clients in determining appropriate response to potentially disruptive trends; topics covered include cloud computing, mobile commerce, next-generation semiconductor manufacturing, cross-border eCommerce, social networking, etc.
    • Devised presentation for CEO-level conversation on a process to pro-actively acquire/partner with assets which can aid client in dealing with disruptive innovations
    • Overhauled Bain toolkit for codification in book by Bain partners Mark Gottfredson and Steve Schaubert, The Breakthrough Imperative

    Roche Pharmaceuticals (2005; Palo Alto, CA): Research Intern, Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics

    Roche Pharmaceuticals is a leading pharmaceutical company

    • Validated use of Isothermal Titration Calorimeter in enzyme kinetics studies
    • Assessed factors limiting application of approach to study of Cytochrome P450 enzyme system
    • Presented findings at department seminar

    Abgenix Corporation (2003; Fremont, CA): Intern, Process Sciences

    Abgenix was a biotechnology company focused on humanized antibody therapeutics which was acquired by Amgen in 2006

    • Performed optimization studies for ELISA protocols used by Abgenix’s Process Sciences division
    • Presented findings at department seminar

    Academic Research

    Stanford Ophthalmic Informatics and Artificial Intelligence Group (2019 – ; Stanford, CA): Stanford University Byers Eye Institute

    Work with Professor Sophia Ying Wang applying AI/NLP methods to understanding and making predictions based on electronic medical record data. Example work includes:

    Maniatis Group (2004 – 2007; Cambridge, MA): Harvard University Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

    Completed senior thesis “Transcriptional Regulation of Members of the Tripartite Motif Family” (link; report PDF) in lab of Professor Tom Maniatis.

    Brenner Group (2006 – 2007; Cambridge, MA): Harvard University Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences

    Worked with Professor Michael P. Brenner on applying separation of timescales and dominant balances towards simplifying complex biological math models, specifically with regards to what sets the Ran gradient in nuclear transport (link; report PDF).

    Brown Group (Summer 2004; Stanford, CA): Stanford Medical School Center for Clinical Science Research

    Worked in the lab of Professor Janice (Wes) M. Y. Brown researching stem cell reconstitution of murine immune systems in conjunction with antifungal agents and combinations of lymphoid and myeloid progenitor cells. Research summarized in: Arber C, et al. Journal of Infectious Diseases [2005]

    Education

    Harvard University (2003 – 2007; Cambridge, MA): A. B. Magna Cum Laude with Highest Honors in Biochemical Sciences, Secondary Field in Mathematical Sciences

    • Honors: Phi Beta Kappa, Dean’s Research Award (2006), Harvard College Research Program Award (2006), Harvard College Scholar (2005-2006), Tylenol Scholar (2005-2006)
    • Thesis: Transcriptional Regulation of Members of the Tripartite Motif Family in Response to Viral Infection (link)
    • Selected Activities
      • Harvard College Asian Business Forum: Operations Director (2005-2006)
      • Next Generation MD: Associate Editor (2005-2007), writer
      • Harvard International Review: Media Department Head (2004-2005), Visuals Editor(2003-2004)

    Skills/Other

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