Dr. Aaron Day-Williams has over a decade of experience architecting computational strategies that reveal novel biological insights and collaborating to translate them into differentiated medicines. Aaron deploys his full arsenal of computational biology and genetics expertise, strategic judgement, and proven execution to identify and advance the next generation of therapeutics companies.

Aaron has worked on a large number of clinical projects and has consistently built and led teams that deliver: from forming the Statistical Genetics team at Biogen that launched the ATXN2 ALS program into development, enabled by advances that defined a new threshold for the genetic association (ahead of academics who subsequently published independently), to directing Merck’s Quantitative Target Sciences group in the development and publication of a novel machine-learning GWAS interpretation algorithm that enabled the identification of tissue-specific causal variants and nomination of new targets.

As scientific lead and founding VP of Computational Biology & Data Science at Flagship Pioneering’s Vesalius Therapeutics, Aaron designed an integrative strategy combining clinical machine-learning, genomics, and stem cell biology, resulting in the discovery of a first-in-class, patient-stratified neurodegenerative target and launching the company’s inaugural drug program, which inspired GSK to license the resulting small molecule. As a VP at Versant Ventures’ Matterhorn Biosciences, his team’s machine-learning and generative AI metabolomics analysis framework was integral to de-orphaning the company’s leading TCRs, directly impacting program and company strategy.

Aaron has also advised VCs and biotech companies on critical decisions ranging from investment theses to target identification and validation strategies, to program prioritization and new venture incubation.

Aaron’s rigorous training during his PhD in Human Genetics at UCLA and postdoctoral training at the renowned Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, has led to his methodological innovations earning recognition from the International Genetic Epidemiology Society (Best Paper Award, 2011) and a US methods patent, validating the practical implications of his inventions in drug development.