# Michael Eng Hoe Khor

> Senior Software Engineer and Data Scientist @ Culture Biosciences | ML generalist, modeling + simulation

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/michaelenghoekhor

At Culture Biosciences, being an R&D software engineer within the Data Science team means that I get to build/craft/experiment with modeling and simulation solutions related to bioprocessing. I often bridge the gap between software engineers, product managers, and bioprocess scientists, playing a key role in developing and maintaining our in-house bioreactor control software (full-stack).

Most recently, I completed my master's degree in data science at the University of California, Berkeley. My projects span various areas, including image classification, language model tuning, Spark, Kubernetes, and LLM app development and validation. I have since converted some of these learnings into firsthand experiences at Culture, with the development of models such as physics-informed neural networks.

## Work Experience
### Senior Software Engineer @ Culture Biosciences
Jan 2022 – Present | South San Francisco, California, United States
As an R&D software engineer, I develop bespoke reactor control software for our in-house bioreactors, as well as the frontend views that support their operation, including website and hardware screens (React, GraphQL, Electron). I work with a cross-disciplinary team in a fast-paced environment, which has led to the launch of our keystone hardware product, the Stratyx 250.

For our Data Science arm, I've developed physics-informed neural network (PINN) models that integrate physical constraints and biological heuristics with statistical models. These models simulate upstream bioprocesses and guide experiment design. I have authored a white paper on the use of kernel‑regression models for oxygen-transfer (kLa) prediction.

I see my role as being a generalist. I apply knowledge from my data science master's to approach system architecture, but I still have the ability to converse with scientists to understand their needs, all while working closely with product managers and designers to get high-impact features out the door.

### Senior Manufacturing Engineer @ Zymergen, Inc.
Jan 2018 – Jan 2021 | San Francisco Bay Area
Collaborate with data scientists and software engineers to develop Python packages for processing time-series fermentation experiment data. On my own, I also create and maintain many Binderhub tools to automate routine lab data tasks, which gets used by research associates and engineers.

I am also the liaison between Fermentation scientists and data/software engineering group, tracking and communicating new software, upgrades, issues. I also convey valuable user context to programmers. Additionally, I contributed to company-wide training sessions: semi-intermediate Python; introduction to fermentation data.

In company “Hackweek,” I led a team of three on a proof-of-concept on computing physiological rates using advanced fermentation science and linear algebra; the concept is later adapted to future experiments.

In a more traditional fermentation engineering setting, I apply novel cross-experiment/cross-program analysis using SQL (MySQL, Snowflake) and creative functions to reveal chronic issues in equipment or process.

### Research Associate II, Fermentation @ Zymergen, Inc.
Jan 2017 – Jan 2018 | San Francisco Bay Area
Onboard new automated high-throughput small-scale fermentation system, scaling down existing processes and defining new profile-based step automations.

Utilize JMP and Excel macros to automate routine tasks and data analysis, reducing operator time and input error.

### Operations Associate, Fementation @ Zymergen, Inc.
Jan 2017 – Jan 2017 | Emeryville, California
Facilitate operations of 1- to 5-L R&D fermentation tanks (DASGIP, BioFlo), across multiple projects/microorganisms.

### Research Lab Assistant @ McMahon Laboratory, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jan 2014 – Jan 2016 | Madison, Wisconsin Area
Researched in activated sludge in wastewater treatment, particularly in Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR). Executed bash-based applications on DNA/RNA data (filtering, assembly).

### Orientation Program Peer Advisor @ College of Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Jan 2015 – Jan 2015 | Madison, Wisconsin Area


## Education
### Master of Information and Data Science
UC Berkeley School of Information
Jan 2022

### Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemical and Biological Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison

### Data Analyst Nanodegree
Udacity
Jan 2019

### Industrial Biotechnology
Delft University of Technology
Jan 2020

### Transfer credits in American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP)
INTI


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/michaelenghoekhor
- GitHub: https://github.com/mike-khor

---
Source: https://flows.cv/michaelenghoekhor
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/michaelenghoekhor/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-03-23