Jeremiah Sims is an MD-PhD student at the University of Washington, where he studies under the mentorship of David Baker in the Institute for Protein Design. His ongoing work focuses on data-driven deep learning approaches to improve protein interface design and function, towards the goal of de novo protein therapeutics for infectious diseases. Jeremiah’s research focus anticipates a career in the protein-based pharmaceutical space, one that he hopes will be aided by recent technological advances in the laboratory and the clinic.

Hailing from Richmond, VA, Jeremiah developed deep passions for science, medicine, soccer, and music. As an undergrad, he studied Chemistry and began protein drug research in Elsa Yan’s Lab before pursuing a postbaccalaureate position at the NIH, where he developed an assay to probe malaria nutrient uptake.

In addition to being an ARTIS Fellow, Jeremiah is honored as this year’s Jim Valentine Fellow in homage of a great friend and longtime mentor of ARTIS who passed away after his long courageous fight with cancer. Jim is remembered for his brilliance, larger-than-life personality, and razor-sharp wit. He believed in taking risks, grand visions, and an entrepreneurial spirit, all the while maintaining his sense of humor. As a Valentine Fellow, Jeremiah embodies the technical expertise to drive innovation forward and the clinical focus to translate this research to impact human lives.

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HEALTHCARE ADVANCEMENT YOU HOPE TO SEE IN YOUR LIFETIME

I hope to see an increased emphasis on personalized medicine, especially in a way that can appropriately balance the ways that we as humans are similar and different. I am optimistic that new machine learning tools to design novel therapeutics will facilitate the development of treatment plans that are right for each patient.

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GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT

Despite rarely overlapping and demanding career schedules, my friend and I managed to complete and release an album that gained some mainstream support. It was an incredible experience to channel our creativity together, and our small success has reinforced to me the importance and joy of relentlessly pursuing creativity within and outside our careers.

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MOST INFLUENTIAL CONTENT READ LAST YEAR

The Color of Law, by Richard Rothstein, was a great introduction into the roles that different levels of U.S. government played in the socioeconomic subjugation of Black Americans. Entertaining and pithy, it is a well-resourced book that hints at the multifaceted impact that location, food, environment, and social resources play in determining generational outcomes.