Pae Wu

General Partner

2020 - Current

Chief Technical Officer

2020

Scientific Director

2018 - 2019

Alpha aimed to solve global problems by developing novel technological solutions and sustainable businesses. We did this in service of creating a desirable future for humanity and the world. Created long-term innovation projects in diverse sectors to carve new territory for Telefónica ranging from digital tools for 21st C learning, biological routes to a circular economy, and wireless telemetry combined with AI analysis to derive actionable insights from animal behavior.

Science Director | ONR Global

2016 - 2018

Technology scout, strategist, and diplomat serving at US Embassy Singapore to fund research & development activities throughout the Asia-Pacific to enable future US Navy and DoD capabilities. Devised and implemented an R&D strategy for ONR's Singapore portfolio. Facilitated collaborations with universities and research institutes in Singapore and Australia, while liaising with various partner nation ministries of defense to coordinate mutually beneficial research. Oversaw a multi-domain portfolio including neurotechnology, nanomaterials, synthetic biology, power and energy, hydrodynamics, compliant robotics, misinformation, and the microbiome. Identified, evaluated, and invested in innovations at the intersection of engineering, materials, and biology.

Lead Biotechnologist | Scientific Consultant to DARPA

2011 - 2016

Scientific and technical advisor to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Provided full-time, on-site program management support in the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) and Biological Technologies Office (BTO) and office-level strategy development for BTO. Performed program ideation and development in synthetic biology, neurotechnology, and transient (vanishing) platforms. Served as Technical Lead of teams managing programs (including ideation, strategy, proposal evaluation, contracting, technical management, oversight, and transition) in MTO (VAPR and ICARUS) and BTO (ElectRx). Lead biotechnologist identifying business development and recruiting opportunities to expand Berberian & Company. Discovered, recruited, and hired a new team of scientists and engineers to grow the firm's presence in biotechnology and to support the US Government's investments in biological technologies.

Research Scientist

2009 - 2011

Developed novel label-free, electronic, semiconductor-based chemical and biological sensors to supplant traditional antibody/genomic assays as part of the DARPA Predicting Health and Disease program.

Academic Leadership Fellow

2009 - 2009

Developed program innovations for the Duke University Pratt School of Engineering graduate programs in conjunction with the Sr. Assoc. Dean for Research.

Co-founder, Chair

2007 - 2009

Co-founded innovative fundraising event (the DOUGHMAN), which combines the traditional elements of a triathlon (swim, bike, run) with competitive eating in a four-man team relay format. Event raised over $50,000 for local non-profit at-risk youth programs in first the three years and was featured on Travel Channel's Man V. Food with Adam Richman. Oversaw the growth of the organization, liaised with the press, government and university officials, produced press releases and marketing materials, initiated corporate partnerships, produced grant proposals, and developed organizational structure.

Research Assistant

2003 - 2009

The design, synthesis, and characterization of solid-supported, nontraditional plasmonic metal nanoparticles by molecular beam epitaxy. Dissertation: Plasmonic Gallium Nanoparticles -- Attributes and Applications

Graduate Assistant Coach, Varsity Women's Rowing

2005 - 2008

Research Assistant

2002 - 2003

LPICM, École Polytechnique