Speakers:

Dr. Diana Zhang, Head of Bioengineering - Diana Zhang's path to B.A.I. Biosciences began in an unexpected place—cleaning shark tanks in Singapore. As a high school student, she discovered the power of enzymes while developing waste-processing solutions for marine animal rescue operations, sparking a passion for bioengineering that would define her career. Her journey from Harvard SEAS doctoral candidate to startup co-founder exemplifies how PhD-level technical expertise can be channeled into entrepreneurial ventures when paired with the right business partners.

During her Harvard bioengineering PhD under Professor David Weitz, Diana advanced the field of ultrahigh-throughput directed enzyme evolution using droplet-based microfluidics, resulting in multiple patents and publications in top-tier journals including Angewandte Chemie and PNAS. Her entrepreneurial instincts emerged during her graduate studies when she co-founded Enzymor, an agricultural biotech startup, giving her firsthand experience in translating laboratory science into business applications.

Diana's transition from academic researcher to startup leader happened through a uniquely Harvard connection—she became neighbors with Sophie Bai during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to conversations that revealed how their complementary skills could revolutionize dermatological science. Now as Head of Bioengineering at B.A.I., Diana leads the development of novel molecules and delivery systems, applying her enzyme evolution expertise to create next-generation treatments for skin conditions affecting millions of Americans. Her story showcases how SEAS graduates can leverage their technical training to drive innovation in startup environments when connected with business-savvy co-founders.

Read more about Diana's journey: Graduate student profile: Xinge Diana Zhang

Sophie Bai, CEO & Founder - Sophie Bai's entrepreneurial journey began with a personal mission to solve the skin conditions that had affected her since childhood. Her path from MIT chemical engineering labs to Harvard Business School classrooms, and finally to founding B.A.I. Biosciences, illustrates the power of combining scientific training with business acumen. At just 16, Sophie discovered an anti-aging compound significant enough that NASA and MIT Lincoln Laboratory named a minor planet (Planet No. 25045) in her honor. During her time at MIT, she worked alongside Institute Professor Robert Langer developing drug delivery technologies for cancer and diabetes treatments, experience that would later inform her approach to dermatological innovation.

After earning her Chemical Engineering degree from MIT, Sophie gained crucial business perspective through roles at Boston Consulting Group and Bain Capital Private Equity, where she advised pharmaceutical and beauty companies. Her Harvard MBA provided the final piece of the puzzle—understanding how to scale scientific innovation into viable business solutions. This combination of deep technical knowledge and strategic business thinking led her to found B.A.I. Biosciences, where she has since patented over 20 proprietary molecules targeting atopic dermatitis, skin cancer prevention, and anti-aging treatments. Sophie's journey demonstrates how technical founders can leverage business education to bridge the gap between breakthrough science and market success.

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