Accelerating Cancer Research - Hani Goodarzi of Arc Institute, UCSF, Exai Bio

Hani Goodarzi is Quantitative and Computational Biologist, Core Investigator at the Arc Institute, Associate Professor at UCSF, and co-founder of Exai Bio and Vevo Therapeutics. Episode links and chapters below.

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Episode Links:

Arc InstituteGoodarzi LabExai BioVevo TherapeuticsUCSF Cancer CenterHani's LinkedInGreg Brockman's PostNCI Cancer Stats

Chapters:

(00:00) - Teaser (02:12) - Episode Introduction & Preview (07:35) - Hani’s Path Into Quantitative and Computational Biology (11:55) - The Emerging Promise of Foundation Models Such as Evo 2 (15:53) - Dry Side vs. Wet Side of Biology (22:23) - Pivoting Into AI for Life Science From Unrelated Domains, and the Importance of Culture in Cross-Functional Teams (27:28) - How to Develop Multidisciplinary Teams: Brutal Honesty (30:07) - How Arc Institute’s Org and Funding Structure Enables Innovative Science (36:24) - How Tech Founders Are Pushing Biotech Innovation (39:07) - Hani’s Collaboration with NVIDIA and Greg Brockman of OpenAI (43:57) - The Science Behind Exai’s Early Cancer Detection Platform (52:05) - DNA Methylation to Improve Cancer-Specific Signals From Blood (55:25) - UCSF’s Application of This Technology for Breast Cancer Detection (58:34) - How Startups Help Bridge the Science “Valley of Death” (01:04:24) - Supporting Hani’s Work Through Scientific Contributions, Evangelism, and Applying the Scientific Method Across Disciplines

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