Bertram Koelsch Email & Phone Number

United States

Sunnyvale, California, Us

I lead a team of 20ish PhD-level scientists stemming from diverse computational backgrounds, including Population & Statistical Genetics, Data Science, Bioengineering, and Neuroscience. Together, we are responsible for creating the modeling behind the company's consumer data products, encompassing both Ancestry and Health product features.As Director, I work closely with other company leaders to set product strategy and roadmaps, identifying opportunities for how our scientific capabilities can enable compelling user experiences. Examples include the use of genome-wide association studies to create polygenic risk scores performant in diverse populations, and lifestyle data captured by wearable devices to model disease risks.I collaborate cross-functionally across the organization to develop early stage scientific ideas into full fledged customer features. I work regularly with a variety of teams, including product managers to define user needs, machine learning engineering teams to develop data and model pipelines, healthcare providers to test clinical suitability of our models, designers to ensure model outputs align with customers' result types, and regulatory/quality assurance teams to incorporate policy considerations.

Sunnyvale, California, Us

Sunnyvale, California, Us

Trained and oversaw others doing user comprehension studies for Pharmacogenetic Reports DEN180028. Lead initial development of a software pipeline the scaled development of polygenic risk score models. Launched Type 2 Diabetes model and presented at NIH.

Sunnyvale, California, Us

Lead the user comprehension study design, execution, analysis, and presentation that was part of the de novo submission DEN160026. The FDA authorization allows for Genetic Health Risk Reports, including conditions like Alzheimer's Disease and Celiac Disease.I worked alongside other scientists to launch a polygenic risk score for Genetic Weight (BMI). This model was developed with data from 23andMe research participants, and allowed consumers to gain insight into how their genetics influences their actual weight.

Sunnyvale, California, Us

I was the scientist on a small interdisciplinary team that delivered the user comprehension study data that played a key role in FDA authorization of the de novo submission DEN140044. For this first ever FDA authorized direct-to-consumer genetic test, we had to conceive of and iterated through multiple rounds qualitative and qualitative user testing.

Sunnyvale, California, Us

I lead the scientific development and software implementation of a DTC pharmacogenetic report on proton pump inhibitor efficacy. This report allowed customers to see personalized results of how their genetic influence their response to taking proton pump inhibitors.

Tekla Labs is a global community that enables scientists to build their own lab equipment. This includes "emerging scientists," in developing country university labs, high school science classes and DIY scientist groups.

My PhD dissertation research focused on improving cancer detection and personalizing treatment approaches by developing a novel MRI technique that allows for real-time measurements of in vivo metabolism. While traditional MRI creates anatomical images, hyperpolarized carbon-13 MRI allows us to non-invasively study rapid metabolic processes, whereby we can distinguish diseased and normal tissue.

Us

The Mayfield Fellows Program fosters young tech entrepreneurs though a combination of coursework, mentoring, and first-hand experience at Bay Area startups.While in this program, I took several courses at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley. I also traveled with my cohort to Beijing to visit several companies and learn about entrepreneurship in China.

Ph.D., Bioengineering And Biomedical Engineering

Management Of Technology, Certificate Program

Master'S Of Science (M.Sc.), Bioengineering And Biomedical Engineering

Bachelor'S Of Science (B.Sc.), Chemical Engineering