David completed his PhD in 2019 at the Biomedical Engineering Department at Cornell University in Ithaca NY. His thesis research focused on how mechanical forces orchestrate molecular signaling during heart valve embryogenesis. During his thesis, David combined novel experimental methods with systems modeling to uncover how epithelial/endothelial to mesenchymal transition is controlled during both development and in cancer. David also has experience with molecular mechanics modeling, from his work at the Wadsworth Center in Albany NY, and with machine learning from his work at Binghamton University in Binghamton NY. 

Scientist Spotlight

December 2020

What is your role at Applied BioMath?

“I am a modeler. My role involves working with the internal team and our collaborators to build a model that can best leverage their data to answer questions they may have, typically about drug design or dose selection.”

How long have you been with Applied BioMath?

“I have been with Applied BioMath since January of 2020, but prior to that I did a 6-month internship at ABM in 2019, funded by the NSF.”

What do you love most about working here?

“Definitely working with the people, both internally and our partners. There's never a moment where you feel like you’re not learning something from your colleagues or that you are not able to contribute.” 

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

“When you have synergy on the internal team and you develop a relationship on the collaborator side, you’re able to address challenging scientific questions together and solve problems as one integrated team—it’s one of the best feelings.” 

What was your main area of study/focus during your academics?

“During my Ph.D. thesis, I studied how the heart valves develop in the embryo. I was conducting experiments, which included cracking many chicken eggs, and performing computational modeling of intra-cellular signaling pathways.”

What made you get into the field of life sciences?

“I remember being in high school biology class and looking at a diagram, realizing that biology wasn’t all memorization: everything had a part and a role. Since I also really liked math, biomedical engineering was a clear choice.”

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

“I like to go on walks and hikes, especially now since they’re pandemic friendly. I also like playing guitar and cooking. Skills in the lab translate to the kitchen pretty well.”

Do you have a motto or personal mantra you live by?

“Try to become more than you are through learning and not being afraid to ask for help or acknowledge a mistake.”

If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

“I would put some of it towards savings and buying a house. I would also want to pay my mom’s student loans.” 

What’s something most people don’t know about you/Random fun fact about yourself?

“I enjoy salsa dancing. Not much of that lately.”

What inspires you every day? 

“Interactions that involve learning or teaching, which happen often when addressing challenging problems.”