ABOUT
Synthetic Biologist
I’m an 17-year-old scientist who decided that waiting until college to cure cancer was too slow. So, I co-founded a biotech startup in high school, built a synthetic gene circuit, filed a patent, and pitched an SBIR grant – all before I could legally rent a car. I split my time between engineering cells, pitching to scientists twice my age, and occasionally explaining to my friends why I’m not actually building supervillain tech (yet).
SKILLS
Molecular Biology & Engineering:
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PCR, Gel Electrophoresis, DNA/RNA Extraction, Molecular Cloning, Plasmid/Vector Design
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Transformation, Protein Engineering, Pathway Engineering, p53 Pathway, Primer Design
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Yeast & Bacterial Cell Culture (E. coli, Lactococcus lactis)
Tools & Software:
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CHOPCHOP, Benchling, NEBBuilder, AddGene, VectorBuilder
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Microsoft Office Suite, Canva, BioRender
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Automated Sample Handling (OpenTrons)
2023 – Present
Genetic Circuit Tx /
Co-Founder and CEO
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Founded a gene therapy company targeting cancer via synthetic pathway activation.
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Filed PCT patent (USPTO 63/636,803) for synthetic gene construct.
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Led accepted NSF SBIR Phase I pitch; invited to submit full proposal.
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Recruited team members from Moderna, Hopkins, and UCL.
2023 – Present
iGEM East Coast Biocrew /
Wet Lab Researcher
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Engineered genes in Lactococcus lactis for chocolate flavor biosynthesis.
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Awarded Bronze Medal at iGEM 2024.
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Contributing to design and execution of 2025 team project.
Summer 2023
JHU Brain Signatures Lab /
Molecular Biology Intern
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Conducted hands-on molecular biology experiments, including PCR and gel electrophoresis.
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Gained experience in automated workflows using OpenTrons robotics.
WORK EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Harford Community College / (Dual Enrolled)
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Relevant Coursework: Environmental Science (Lab & Lecture), Introduction to Statistics
Patterson Mill High School, Bel Air, MD
Expected Graduation: Spring, 2026
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GPA: 4.19 (Weighted) | 3.63 (Unweighted)
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Relevant Coursework: Honors Chemistry, Honors Biology, AP Physics I, Forensic Science, AP Psychology, AP Computer Science Principles & AP Computer Science A.
Honors & Awards
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ISEF Finalist, Society for Science (2025)
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Grant Awardee, Emergent Ventures (2025)
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Award of Merit, Dept. of Health Defense, Aberdeen (2025)
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Top Prize Biology, Morgan State Science Fair (2025)
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iGEM Bronze Medalist, East Coast BioCrew (2024)
PROJECTS
LET'S WORK TOGETHER
dylanpaoletti@gmail.com