Will Patrick

Experience Education Publications Press Patents

Biography

Will Patrick is an entrepreneur and technologist with expertise spanning biotechnology, robotics, and digital fabrication. He is the founder of Culture Biosciences, where he served as CEO for 8 years (2016-2024), developing cloud-based bioprocess development platforms for the biotechnology industry. Previously, at X, Alphabet, he worked as a Rapid Evaluator helping initiate Wing, Google’s drone delivery effort. Will holds an M.S. from MIT Media Lab, where he researched 3D printed microfluidics and synthetic biology in the Mediated Matter group, resulting in multiple peer-reviewed publications and exhibitions. His work has led to over 20 patents in areas ranging from UAV systems to bioprocess control. Will received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University.

Experience

Culture Biosciences (Co-Founder and CEO, 2016 - 2024)
Led company for 8 years with the mission to make upstream bioprocess development and scale-up as fast and easy as scaling software. Built a cloud bioreactor platform enabling biopharma, biotechnology, and synthetic biology companies to run their bioprocessing R&D remotely through Culture’s Console web application. Raised over $100M in venture capital funding to support the company’s growth and development of innovative bioprocessing technologies, including the Stratyx 250 product. Collaborated with over 75 biotech companies worldwide to support their bioprocess development and established a strategic partnership with Cytiva, a global leader in bioprocessing.

MIT Media Lab (Research Assistant, 2013 - 2015)
Researcher in the Mediated Matter group focusing on digital fabrication and synthetic biology. Projects included 3D printed microfluidics and wearables with embedded genetically modified organisms. Collaborated with Silver Lab at Harvard Medical School, MIT Lincoln Lab, and MIT Voigt Lab. Research received FastCompany Innovation by Design award and was exhibited at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

X, Alphabet (Rapid Evaluator, 2010 - 2013)
Developed and prototyped new ideas for X. Helped initiate Wing, Google’s drone delivery effort. Worked on Solve for X conference and initial Google Glass launch.

Embrace (Manufacturing, 2010)
Worked on manufacturing process development for low-cost infant incubators using innovative sleeping bag design with phase-change material and heating unit in Bangalore, India.

Duron Energy (Engineering, 2009)
Developed charge and discharge controls for solar-powered LED home lighting systems in Ahmedabad, India.

Education

  • M.S., MIT Media Lab, 2013 - 2015
    • Research Group: Mediated Matter (Neri Oxman)
  • B.S., Duke University, 2010
    • Mechanical Engineering

Publications

2016

  • Grown, printed, and biologically augmented: An additively manufactured microfluidic wearable, functionally templated for synthetic microbes
    C Bader (co-first), WG Patrick (co-first), D Kolb, SG Hays, S Keating, S Sharma, D Dikovsky, B Belocon, JC Weaver, PA Silver, N Oxman
    3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, 2016

  • 3D printed multimaterial microfluidic valve
    SJ Keating, MI Gariboldi, WG Patrick, S Sharma, DS Kong, N Oxman
    PLOS One, 2016

2015

  • DNA assembly in 3D printed fluidics
    WG Patrick, AAK Nielsen, SJ Keating, TJ Levy, CW Wang, JJ Rivera, O Mondragón-Palomino, PA Carr, CA Voigt, N Oxman, DS Kong
    PLOS One, 2015

  • Better together: engineering and application of microbial symbioses
    SG Hays (co-first), WG Patrick (co-first), M Ziesack (co-first), N Oxman, PA Silver
    Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 2015

  • Designing the Ocean Pavilion: Biomaterial Templating of Structural, Manufacturing, and Environmental Performance
    L Mogas-Soldevila, J Duro-Royo, D Lizardo, M Kayser, W Patrick, S Sharma, S Keating, J Klein, C Inamura, N Oxman
    Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia, 2015

Patents

Culture Biosciences

  • Automated control and prediction for a fermentation system
    MA Ball, WG Patrick, CDJ Edington
    US Patent App.

  • Bioreactor vessel for automated fermentation system
    WG Patrick, MA Ball
    US Patent App.

  • Methods for automated control of a fermentation system
    MA Ball, WG Patrick, CDJ Edington
    US Patent App.

  • Methods and systems for control of a fermentation system
    MA Ball, WG Patrick
    US Patent App.

X, Alphabet, Loon

  • Balloon clumping to provide bandwidth requested in advance
    E Teller, W Patrick
    US Patent

X, Alphabet, Wing

  • Request apparatus for delivery of medical support implement by UAV
    W Patrick
    US Patent

  • Multi-part navigation process by an unmanned aerial vehicle for navigation
    E Peeters, E Teller, W Patrick
    US Patent

  • Providing services using unmanned aerial vehicles
    E Peeters, E Teller, W Patrick
    US Patent 9,434,473, 2016

  • Mechanisms for lowering a payload to the ground from a UAV
    W Patrick, JR Burgess, A Conrad
    US Patent

  • Systems and methods for vertical takeoff and/or landing
    E Peeters, W Patrick
    US Patent

  • Providing emergency medical services using unmanned aerial vehicles
    E Peeters, E Teller, W Patrick
    US Patent

  • Unlocking mobile-device and/or unmanned aerial vehicle capability in an emergency situation
    E Peeters, E Teller, W Patrick
    US Patent

  • Providing a medical support device via an unmanned aerial vehicle
    E Peeters, E Teller, W Patrick, S Brin
    US Patent 8,948,935, 2015

  • Multi-part navigation process by an unmanned aerial vehicle for navigating to a medical situation
    E Peeters, E Teller, W Patrick
    US Patent

  • Responsive navigation of an unmanned aerial vehicle to a remedial facility
    E Peeters, E Teller, W Patrick
    US Patent

X, Alphabet, Rapid Evaluation

  • System and method of generating images on photoactive surfaces
    J Lee, E Teller, W Patrick, E Peeters
    US Patent

  • Method, apparatus and system for projecting light for user guidance
    W Patrick, E Teller, J Lee
    US Patent

  • Method and apparatus for dynamic signage using a painted surface display system
    J Lee, E Teller, W Patrick, E Peeters
    US Patent

  • Method and apparatus for gesture interaction with a photo-active painted surface
    J Lee, E Teller, W Patrick, E Peeters
    US Patent 9,164,596, 2015

  • Method and apparatus for themes using photo-active surface paint
    J Lee, E Teller, W Patrick, E Peeters
    US Patent

  • Method, apparatus and system for adaptive light projection
    W Patrick, E Teller, J Lee
    US Patent

Press Mentions