# Abel Chiao

> Senior Software Engineer, Engineering Team Lead

Location: San Francisco, California, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/abelchiao

Before I became a software engineer, I was a synthetic biology researcher with experience in guiding early-stage R&D/product development. As the first employee at Tierra Biosciences, I guided our platform build-out while simultaneously wearing the hats of scientist, project/grant manager, and process engineer, to name a few. 

Part of the value of the technology stack we built at Tierra Biosciences derives from our ability to run high-throughput data-gathering experiments with extremely short turnaround times. The resulting large datasets contain valuable information that can be leveraged to discover valuable chemical compounds and improve our technology. While constructing this platform as a lab scientist, I was really struck by how our technology and the broader synthetic biology field as a whole are enabled by advances in computational capabilities and information technology. This ultimately led me to trade in my pipette for a keyboard as I set out to learn the coding skills needed to help engineer products that unlock the intrinsic value of big data/scale.

I started on this journey because I am fascinated by the application of algorithms to process intractably large datasets and build the efficiency needed to solve big problems at scale. To cut my teeth in this area, I created an application that, given a series of points on a plane, utilizes a heuristic genetic evolutionary algorithm that applies principles of Darwinian natural selection to find the shortest route that traverses all of the given points. I am currently working on a new project that compares the speed at which different pathfinding algorithms (Djikstra’s, A*, and contraction hierarchies) identify the shortest route between two points on a map when applied to real road network graph data.

## Work Experience
### Senior Software Engineer, Engineering Team Lead @ Prelim
Jan 2021 – Jan 2025

### Scientist, First Employee @ Tierra Biosciences
Jan 2016 – Jan 2019 | San Francisco Bay Area
Synthetic biology company specializing in high-throughput protein expression for bio-discovery and functional genomics.
- Spearheaded the technology platform’s biochemistry and automation R&D, enabling quarter-over-quarter doubling of experimental throughput.
- Inventor on 6 patent applications (2 published).
- Led cross-organization teams in execution of grants/contracts/collaborative research for commercial, government, and academic stakeholders totaling >$1.5M revenue.
- Learned Python and the Pandas library in free time outside of work for bulk experimental data processing and analysis.
- Designed, tested, and deployed robust SOPs for automation, platform operation, and commercial applications and trained other team members to take over segments of platform operation.
- Spearheaded execution of crucial pilot contracts with commercial partners that have formed the basis for the company’s current business model.
- Learned Python and the Pandas library in free time outside of work for bulk experimental data processing and analysis.
- Assisted in designing and deploying internal data infrastructure for managing high-throughput experimental data.
- Represented the company at biotech and synthetic biology conferences around the world, including co-hosting an overbooked, standing-room-only seminar at SynBioBeta 2018.

### Research Associate @ Caltech
Jan 2015 – Jan 2016 | Pasadena, CA
- Joined the Murray Lab to commercialize cell-free protein expression technology.
- Pioneered 100-fold reduction in base platform reagent cost without sacrificing genetic circuit prototyping capabilities and other key performance parameters.
- Demonstrated sufficient technology improvement (cost, genetic circuit fidelity, repeatability/robustness) to secure additional DARPA funding to spin out as Synvitrobio, Inc. (DBA Tierra Biosciences) after 6 months.

### Undergraduate Researcher @ Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Jan 2012 – Jan 2013 | Greater Boston Area
Lippard Research Group, MIT Department of Chemistry
- Executed and assisted in characterization/functional studies of phenanthriplatin, a novel platinum anticancer agent.
- Set up crystallization trials for phenanthriplatin-DNA conjugates to study binding interactions.
- Maintained human tumor cell lines and evaluated effect of drug combinations via MTT assay for synergism.
- Investigated transcription-inhibitory effects of platinum-based drugs by transfection with Gaussia luciferase expression vector-platinum drug adducts
- Purified drug-conjugated vector by gel extraction, phenol-chloroform extraction, isopycnic centrifugation
- Studied apoptotic effects of phenanthriplatin via JC-1 fluorescence microscopy

### Undergraduate Research Assistant @ Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California
Jan 2011 – Jan 2011 | Greater Los Angeles Area
- Assisted researchers in Dr. Wei Li's research group in studying heat-shock-protein-90a, which was shown to greatly promote wound healing.
- Produced recombinant Hsp90a via pET expression system.
- Purified protein via nickel affinity chromatography, FPLC, gel electrophoresis.


## Education
### Bachelor of Science - BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Jan 2010 – Jan 2014

### Computer Software Engineering
App Academy
Jan 2019 – Jan 2020


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/abel-chiao

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Source: https://flows.cv/abelchiao
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/abelchiao/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-03-22