Hometown: Houston, Texas 

Studies: PhD student, Biomedical Engineering

Michael’s path into innovation is rooted in a lifelong instinct to improve and reimagine the tools around him. Originally trained in medicine, Michael transitioned into biomedical engineering to better channel his ideas into tangible, patient-centered solutions. His research focuses on developing microfluidic models that replicate airway behavior in people with cystic fibrosis, a condition that holds personal significance. His work aims to improve our understanding of disease progression and therapeutic response through more realistic in vitro models.

Michael is also exploring ways to integrate artificial intelligence into diagnostic healthcare, including projects using large language models to support medical and dental imaging analysis. Outside of the lab, he holds a patent for a hunting tree stand and is currently working on launching a dental device company with his wife. With interests spanning from AI to product design, Michael brings a multidisciplinary mindset to everything he does.

He aspires to lead the development of airway devices and point-of-care diagnostics that address unmet clinical needs. Through the Innovation Fellows program, Michael hopes to gain the entrepreneurial knowledge and industry insight needed to bring these innovations to market. Outside of his professional interests, he’s a dedicated CrossFit athlete and avid hunter who enjoys staying active.