About

Let me introduce myself.

Second year Chemical (soon to be Nanotechnology) engineering student at the University of Waterloo. Extensive experience working in game changing science and tech startups. Highly skilled with analytical chemistry and biological research techniques. Interested in making a real difference.

Profile

3 years of tissue engineering research at U of T. Previously product development @ YC nanotech oil/gas startup, worked @ my own medical device startup, starting 4 months at a nanotech based water purification startup.

Fullname: Shakir Lakhani
Birth Date: June 25, 1997
Job: Researcher, Entrepreneur, Process Engineer
Website: www.avrolifesci.com
Email: shakir@avrolifesci.com

Skills

Extensive experience with product development and translation of scientific research into functioning prototypes. Familiar with Python, Matlab, Java, CAD software. Proficient with analytical chemistry techniques and cell culture.

90%
Theoretical Biochemistry
85%
R & D
70%
Cell Culture
95%
Business Development
75%
Rapid Prototyping

Hire Me Download CV

Resume

More of my credentials.

Winner of the Velocity 5K Fund (Mar 2016), GSEA Entrepreneur's Organization Pitch Competition (Nov 2016), Hack4Health (Nov 2016) and Velocity 25K Fund (Dec 2016). Awarded President's, WAT-PD Entrance Scholarship and Leslie Klein Entrance Scholarship.

Work Experience

Process Engineering Assistant

Jan 2017 - Apr 2017

Frank Gu Research Group/H2Nano

H2Nano uses photocatalytic nanotechnology for passive water treatment and environmental remediation using only solar energy or UV light for low-cost, reusable waste free water treatment solutions. I'm working on the design, optimization and scale-up of a new nanomaterial production system, while developing and integrating synthesis improvements and analyzing outputs. My work involves modeeling and fabricating custom equipment, developing QC protocols, and custom design of reactor systems, particle recapture and reuse for industry and scale-up pilots. Working with materials synthesis equipment, characterization tools (FTIR, UV-Vis, DLS, SEM) and modelling software.

Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer

Feb 2016 - Present

Avro Life Science

Founded a medical device startup in my first year at the University of Waterloo. Avro Life Science is developing a medicated sticker for the transdermal delivery of antihistamines, for children and parents looking to avoid the oral route of allergy medication. Developed relations with key pharmaceutical development firms, angel investors, and VC firms to begin seed funding conversations.

Self Employed Entrepreneur under the Entreprise Co-op Program

Sept 2016 - Dec 2016

Avro Life Science / Conrad Center

Selected as the only first year student in UW history to participate in the Conrad Centre's Entrerprise Co-op program, allowing me to spend 4 months on co-op working on my previously existing venture, Avro Life Science. Led the interviewing and hiring of a new business dev intern, pitched at competitions, and gathered 50+ Letters of Intent from pharmacies around the country. Independently formulated our novel patch prototype with drug delivering abilities over the course of the term.

Product Development Associate

Jan 2016 - April 2016

Validere Technologies Inc

Validere has developed a portable device for on demand hazard testing in oil and gas industries. The core of the technology is optical liquid fingerprinting nanotechnology developed at Harvard's Wyss Institute, capable of testing for density, vapor pressure, sulfur and water content. Used rapid prototyping techniques and basic circuitry methods along with Raspberry Pi and Arduino to develop a prototype device and companion mobile application for Creative Destruction Lab and Y-Combinator meetings. Gained experience working with Python, Java, Android Studio, and OpenCV extensions. Validere raised a $1.1M angel round and was accepted to YC at the end of my term, and recently raised at $2.2M seed round.

Research Assistant

June 2013 - Aug 2015

McGuigan Lab, University of Toronto Dept of Chem Eng

Spent my high school summers from grade 10 onwards working at the lab with of a focus on biomimetics and tissue engineering. Worked alongside PhD and Master's students to develop a 3d bioengineered model to assemble in vitro tumours in 3D for better replication of cellular microenvironments, and analysis of cellular response. The project, TRACER, is being incubated as part of Johnson and Johnson's JLABS, under the company 6Biotech.

Education

Bachelor of Applied Science

Sept 2015 - Present

University of Waterloo

Enrolled in the UWaterloo's Honours Chemical Engineering program from September 2015-December 2016. Beginning in May 2017, I will be part of UWaterloo's nanotechnology engineering program, to pursure my interest in nanomedicine, materials sciences, and applied chemistry. Elected as Class Represtative for Stream 4 Chemical Engineering in my first term of study, active member of iGEM, the Entrepreneurship Society, and the Velocity startup ecosystem

IB/High School Diploma

Sept 2012 - June 2015

Upper Canada College

Completed IB Diploma program at UCC. Took Higher Level Math, Chemistry, and Physics, Standard Level Literature, French, Economics, the most rigorous courseload offered. Served as the head of UCC Robotics, UCC Engineering Society, Secretary of the DECA Chapter, Editor of the Blue Page, and member of the Varsity Rowing Team. Competed and placed nationally in math and chemistry contests, including Euclid, COMC, CSMC, CIMC, AIME, Avogadro and Canadian Chemistry Olympiad.

Interests

What am I looking for?

I'm always looking for opportunities to learn and grow as an entrepreneur and a scientist, while exploring means of adding value to my startup.

Mentorship

As a young entrepreneur, I often have no idea where I'm going with some of my work and business development initiatives. I'm always looking for advice and mentorship from people who've been in the game for much longer than I.

Employment Opportunities

I'm quite happy with my current job at H2Nano, and my work at my own startup, Avro Life Science, but I've got 4 more co-op terms left, and I want to make the most of my time in school and in the co-op program. If you're hiring at a mid stage startup with some cool science behind it, I'd love to talk in the future.

Speaking opportunities

I've had a funky story, from doing research in high school to suffering from severe allergies to pretty much everything since I was 3 years old. I love talking to people and sharing what little advice I can about how to make the most of your time in HS/Uni (not that I really know), while improving my public speaking skills.

Side Projects

As a scientific researcher by nature, it can be tricky to get involved in lots of side projects like my CS/Soft Eng counterparts do. If you're in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or chemistry and are looking for advice or help on an interesting standalonep project, send me a note. I'll probably be happy to contribute whatever I can.

Hello, World.

I'm Shakir Lakhani.