Matt Young

Computational Chemistry, Structural Biology, Biophysics

San Francisco, California, United States

About

Research science professional with 20+ years of experience spearheading research initiatives, synergizing advanced computational and experimental methodologies to unravel complex biological mechanisms and discover new medicines. Co-founder of Nynex Therapeutics, pioneering the development of reversible-covalent compounds that leverage cellular protein degradation machinery to create new oncology medicines. Recently Director of Biophysics at Totus Medicines, a biotech with a proprietary platform to develop new medicines using covalent compounds. Previously at Atomwise, a biotech developing and applying new AI technologies to improve the process of drug discovery. Led a computational and experimental structural biology laboratory as a faculty member at the University of Michigan Medical School. Published scientific advances on three structure/function projects with cell signaling proteins: • Explaining the chemical and molecular basis behind the regulation of protein kinase enzymes • Developing new chemical compounds to target proteins in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway for cancer therapy • Understanding how transcription factor proteins bind specific DNA sequences and regulate gene expression Specialized in molecular dynamics and computational chemistry techniques. In the wet lab, purify and express proteins to carry out molecular structure determination with x-ray crystallography as well as biochemical, proteomic, and biophysical experiments, and drug activity assays.

Experience

  • Visiting Scientist at Wesleyan University
    Oct 2023 - Present · 2 yrs 9 mos

  • Scientific Co-Founder and Principal at Nynex Therapeutics
    Apr 2017 - Present · 9 yrs 3 mos

    Innovative oncology therapeutics leveraging cellular protein degradation pathways. First-in-class novel approach for targeting deubiquitinase proteins with reversible-covalent small-molecules.

  • Biology Domain Expert - Gemini Foundation Models at Google
    Dec 2025 - Mar 2026 · 4 mos

  • Director of Biophysics at Totus Medicines
    Feb 2022 - Nov 2022 · 10 mos

  • Associate Director at Atomwise
    Jan 2019 - Feb 2022 · 3 yrs 2 mos

    Artificial Intelligence for Drug Discovery