Joey Azofeifa

Respect the hustle of Joey Azofeifa, this guy’s the real deal in biotech startup land. Dude’s a YC S19 alum, and he’s already crushed it by raising over $20 million for his company, Arpeggio Bio. But the story’s way deeper than just fundraising.

Joey’s process kicks off with a solid foundation in biology from Vassar. Then he jumps into the world of tech and data, working as a Bioinformatics Scientist at Merck and later as a Data Scientist at Boulder BioConsulting. Basically, he’s been deep in the trenches, analyzing next-gen sequencing data, building crazy statistical models, and figuring out how to make sense of all that complex biological info. That’s where he really started to see the power of combining biology with AI.

Fast forward, he goes for a Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, but here’s the kicker, he doesn’t just stop at coding. His research is all about AI and cancer genomics, trying to crack how tumors resist drugs. That’s the seed for Arpeggio. He saw a huge problem, drug resistance in cancer, and decided, “No cap, I’m gonna build something to fight this shit.” So he co-founds Arpeggio Bio, a biotech startup that’s basically building the future of cancer treatment with advanced bioinformatics and machine learning.

What’s dope about Joey? It’s not just that he’s smart or has a Ph.D., it’s that he’s been everywhere, learning how to connect the dots. From biotech giants like Merck to startup hustle in Boulder, he’s seen the industry from all angles. That’s why Arpeggio’s got this sick automated lab for RNA drug profiling, and they’ve built a huge database of drug responses, all powered by machine learning and data visualization. They’re partnering with big pharma, pushing the boundaries of how we fight cancer.

And yo, he’s also big on diversity and outreach, some of his work with the SMART program shows he’s about lifting others up and making science accessible. Dude’s not just in it for himself; he’s trying to change the game.

Bottom line? Joey Azofeifa is a tech-savvy, biotech innovator who’s turned his passion for biology and AI into a weapon against cancer. He’s the type of founder who saw a massive problem, jumped into the deep end, and built something that could actually save lives. No bullshit, this guy’s the real deal, a perfect example of what happens when you combine smarts, hustle, and a mission to make a difference.