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Alex Tang

1x

Finalist

Bio

My internship at Dyne Therapeutics exposed me to the harsh reality of rare disease R&D. I worked on a therapy for Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD) that reached the "go/no go" checkpoint with solid data from mice and cells. The company chose not to proceed—with only a few thousand U.S. patients, the therapy was deemed "uneconomical" for the millions needed for clinical trials. I learned this is common: biotech companies can't survive studying molecules that serve markets the size of "two apartment buildings in China," as my supervisor put it. I grew aware that scientific discoveries alone don't save lives. My postgraduate plans are now twofold. Near term, I'll pursue a PhD in neurobiology focused on the molecular mechanisms of ALS, exploring how AI can push foundational science and therapeutic development. Long term, I aspire to have my own biotech company, focused on rare neuromuscular diseases. I hope to complement what I learned from research, as well as business to help cure neuromuscular diseases.

Education

Dartmouth College

Bachelor's degree program
2024 - 2028
  • Majors:
    • Computer Science
    • Biology, General

Falmouth High School

High School
2020 - 2024

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Biology, General
    • Computer Science
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      • Biotechnology
    • Dream career goals:

      Start my own biotech focused on neuromuscular diseases

    • Enzyme Replacement Therapy Co-op

      Dyne Therapeutics
      2025 – 2025

    Sports

    Tennis

    Varsity
    2020 – 20244 years

    Research

    • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology

      Dunlap Lab at the Geisel School of Medicine — Undergraduate Researcher
      2024 – 2025

    Arts

    • Orchestra

      Music
      2020 – 2024

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Cai Lei & BGI ALS Multi-omics Research Joint Laboratory — Volunteer researcher
      2025 – Present