Will Cao

Okay listen, let me give you the rundown on Will Cao. This guy’s the real deal in biotech and startups, no cap. So, he’s a young gun – went through Duke, did his Ph.D., and somewhere along the way, he shifted from just engineering machines to engineering bacteria. Yeah, he started messing with genetics, making bacteria do crazy shit for biotech production. That’s already pretty sick, right? Like, he’s not just playing around, he’s jumping into the deep end of synthetic biology.

Fast forward, the dude’s been at Ginkgo Bioworks – you know, the big biotech playground – and now he’s the co-founder and CEO of Pando Bioscience. Pando’s this badass AI-driven biotech startup in Watertown, Massachusetts, backed by YC W23, with $9.35 million raised from some solid investors like Albion, Stride, and Skip. Basically, they’re using generative AI and ultra-high-throughput screening to design and improve enzymes and proteins for pharma. Think about it – he’s combining AI with biology to make drugs and diagnostics way faster and smarter. That’s next level.

What’s crazy is how he’s not just some tech guy riding the wave; he’s published in top-tier journals like Cell and Nature Biotechnology – proving he’s legit in the research game. He’s also out there speaking at industry events, like the Asian American Women in Leadership conference. He’s a guy making waves in diverse spaces, showing he’s all about pushing boundaries and breaking stereotypes, not just about tech.

And beyond all that science and startups? He’s into personal training, kayaking, scuba diving – dude’s got balance. It’s like he’s crushing it professionally but also keeps grounded with hobbies that keep him sharp and energized.

So, what’s his story? He’s someone who saw the possible to push biotech into the future, not just by tinkering but by harnessing AI and high-tech screening. His process from academia to Ginkgo to leading his own company shows he’s driven by a real passion for innovation and changing the world. He’s not just building a company; he’s building the future of biotech, making stuff that could change medicine. That’s why Will Cao is a name to watch – dude’s the real deal, a perfect mix of science, hustle, and vision.