Computational biology and machine learning for drug discovery, on Kallyope's gut-brain biology programs. I worked there from Series A through Series C, as the programs moved from preclinical discovery into the company's first human trials.
Single-cell atlas of a novel tissue
I led the computational analysis for a single-cell atlas of a tissue that had not been characterized at this resolution, working with wet-lab scientists to define cell types via graph-based clustering. Choosing the clustering resolution was part of the work: the useful answer is the one a pharmacologist can act on, which is a decision made with the biologists rather than handed to them. The results contributed to a $2M milestone with Novo Nordisk.
From preclinical discovery to first human trials
I developed the analysis and machine-learning pipelines used across several discovery programs, contributing to identification of the lead compounds that reached the company's first human clinical trials.
I also presented research progress to the Scientific Advisory Board, which included three Nobel Laureates.
Mapping neural circuits
I co-developed probabilistic models that map neuronal connections by combining viral tracing with single-cell sequencing. Tracing indicates which regions are connected; sequencing identifies cell types. Reconciling the two is a modelling problem, and the models were built to infer circuit architecture from both measurements together.
Publication
Co-authored Gut enteroendocrine cell activation using GPR119 and GPR40 agonists for synergistic hormone secretion in Cell Metabolism, 2026.