Leading Beyond the Lab
As a data scientist and neuroscientist, Michael Mykins (PhD ’23) is shaping strategies on research into areas including autism and Parkinson’s disease.
For Michael Mykins (PhD ’23), adaptability isn’t just a professional skill—it’s been the defining theme of his journey as a first-generation high school graduate.
After completing his undergraduate degree in neuroscience at Virginia Tech, Mykins joined BCMB to expand his expertise through the department’s diverse interdisciplinary research environment. Working in the lab of Associate Professor Keerthi Krishnan, he applied computational methods to study a mouse model of Rett syndrome before pursuing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to investigate the molecular mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease.
It was during his time at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine that Mykins decided to look beyond academia. Through a scientific internship with the Coalition for Aligning Science (CAS), he helped evaluate the scientific progress of their flagship initiative, Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP). Mykins credits BCMB’s broad graduate seminar and colloquium series with providing the foundational breadth needed to quickly grasp ASAP’s multilayered scientific portfolio.
Following his internship, Mykins was awarded the prestigious AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship, which landed him at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Serving as a principal data scientist, he spearheaded the development and implementation of AI and machine learning tools to modernize the institute’s grant operations while evaluating a diverse grant portfolio spanning pediatric development and intellectual disabilities and disorders.
In October 2025, Michael circled back to CAS, helping to shape data strategies for major research efforts in ASAP. He credits his PhD advisor, Krishnan, and committee member Professor Emeritus Dan Roberts, for imparting the flexibility and mindset that made his career pivot a resounding success.