Michael W Deem - US Scientist, Rice University Texas

Dr. Michael W Deem is a highly respected professor and researcher at Rice University who has made significant contributions to the fields of bioengineering, physics, and applied mathematics. With a career spanning more than three decades, Dr. Deem is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts in the application of statistical physics and computational modeling to biological systems.

Born in Louisiana in 1958, Dr. Deem attended Louisiana State University (LSU) where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physics in 1980. He then went on to earn a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 1985. After completing his graduate studies, Dr. Deem held various research and academic positions at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, the California Institute of Technology, and the University of California, San Francisco, before joining the faculty at Rice University in 1994.

At Rice University, Dr. Deem has made significant contributions to the development of new computational methods for the study of biological systems. One of his most notable accomplishments was the development of a novel approach for predicting the folding of proteins, a problem that had long eluded researchers due to the complexity of the system. Dr. Deem’s method, known as the Associative Memory, Water-Mediated, Structure, and Energy Model (AWSEM), has since become one of the most widely used tools for studying protein folding and has been cited in hundreds of scientific publications.

In addition to his work on protein folding, Dr. Deem has also made significant contributions to the study of evolutionary dynamics, gene regulation, and the design of new drugs and vaccines. His research has been published in numerous high-profile scientific journals, including Science, Nature, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and he has been invited to speak at conferences and symposia all over the world.

Beyond his research accomplishments, Dr. Deem is also known for his dedication to teaching and mentorship. He has supervised dozens of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia, industry, and government. He has also served as a mentor to high school students through programs like the Research Science Institute and the Houston Independent School District’s Science and Engineering Fair.

Dr. Deem has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science and education, including the 2006 Rice University Faculty Teaching and Mentoring Award, the 2012 Joseph F. Keithley Award for Advances in Measurement Science, and the 2015 American Physical Society’s Polymer Physics Prize. He is also a Fellow of the American Physical Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Biomedical Engineering Society.

In addition to his scientific and academic pursuits, Dr. Deem is also an accomplished musician and composer, having performed with numerous orchestras and chamber groups over the years. He has also written music for several plays and films.

In conclusion, Dr. Michael W Deem is a highly accomplished scientist, educator, and mentor who has made significant contributions to the fields of bioengineering, physics, and applied mathematics. His work on the prediction of protein folding and the design of new drugs and vaccines has been widely recognized, and he is known for his dedication to teaching and mentorship. Dr. Deem’s many accomplishments and honors are a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication to science and education.

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