About
Daniel Mukasa holds a PhD in Applied Physics and Materials Science from Caltech and completed postdoctoral work at MIT on AI and drug discovery applications. He previously worked as an AI/ML intern at Merck on antibody therapeutic design, and is now founder and CEO of AbInitio Bio.
Founder & CEO at AbInitio BioYC X26
Intro paths
YC
Daniel went through Y Combinator (Spring 2026) — any YC alum in your network can reach them through the YC community.
GP
Their group partner at YC was Nicolas Dessaigne, General Partner at Y Combinator — the partner who ran AbInitio Bio's batch and knows the company first-hand. YC profile ↗
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In turn, Daniel can intro founders to AbInitio Bio's investors below.
AbInitio Bio's investors · 1
Co-founders at AbInitio Bio
NG
Nisha GopalFounder
Experience
- Abinitio BioFoundercurrent2026 — present
- Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardPostdoctoral Fellow in Chemical Biological and Therapeutic Science2024 — 2026Cambridge, MA
- Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMIT-Takeda Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow2024 — 2026Cambridge, MA
- CaltechNSF Graduate Research Fellow2019 — 2024
- MerckAI/ML for Drug Discovery2023
- CaltechMaterials Research Fellow2017 — 2018Pasadena, California
Skills & more
Python (Programming Language)LaTeX3Microsoft Office2Deep LearningMachine LearningResearch13Physics11Mathematics8Mathematical Physics3Academic Tutoring7Spectroscopy2Data Analysis5
+2 more
Medical DevicesMedical TechnologyFrom Daniel's professional profile.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Daniel Mukasa?
- Daniel Mukasa holds a PhD in Applied Physics and Materials Science from Caltech and completed postdoctoral work at MIT on AI and drug discovery applications. He previously worked as an AI/ML intern at Merck on antibody therapeutic design, and is now founder and CEO of AbInitio Bio.
- Where does Daniel Mukasa work?
- Daniel Mukasa is Founder & CEO of AbInitio Bio.
- What companies did Daniel Mukasa found?
- Daniel Mukasa founded AbInitio Bio.
- Where did Daniel Mukasa go to school?
- Daniel Mukasa studied at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Postdoctoral Fellowship, Drug Discovery/Development); Y Combinator; Caltech (Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Applied Physics and Materials Science).
Founder mafias
Y Combinator mafia8,773
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Y Combinator mafia4,716
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology mafia546
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Caltech mafia66
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Oberlin College mafia8
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Same school
Also attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology1,521
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Also attended Caltech158
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Also attended Oberlin College34
Michael BrittiVenture Partner at RET VenturesFred CummingsFounder, President, Portfolio Manager at BTECH CONSORTIUMYaoyao ChenAssociate Analyst at BTECH CONSORTIUMNicholas FergusonAssociate at BTECH CONSORTIUMMert KarabiyikOperations | Venture Fellow at 212Mira InbarPartner at ArcTern Ventures
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Shared employers
Also worked at Abinitio Bio1
Also worked at Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard60
Anika GuptaInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Anthony PhilippakisInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Issi RozenInvestor at GV (Google Ventures)Nicole GaudelliEntrepreneur in Residence at GV (Google Ventures)Sid ShenaiVenture partner at Madrona and co-founder and CEO of Proof DiagnosticsSusan LiuInvestment Team at 8VC
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Also worked at Massachusetts Institute of Technology485
Aileen LeeFounder & Managing Partner of Cowboy VenturesMatt HuangCo-founder and Managing Partner at ParadigmMichael TruellCo-founder & CEO of CursorRaquel UrtasunFounder & CEO of WaabiColin WebbFounder & CEO of Avatar RoboticsAdam BryCo-founder & CEO of Skydio
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Also worked at Caltech81
Alex BlaniaCo-founder & CEO of Tools for HumanityHaomiao HuangFounding Partner at Matter Venture PartnersConnor CooleyVenture Partner at Electric Feel Ventures LlcHelen McBrideOperating Partner at BOLD LongevityAlex HartzGeneral Partner at Shine CapitalIlya FushmanPartner at KPCB
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