About

Hi, I’m Francisco (Fran) Arriaza Gallardo, a Biochemist and Data Scientist focused on bridging the gap between molecular biology and artificial intelligence.

Current Focus: Designing the Future of Animal Health

Currently, I serve as a Senior Data Scientist and Computational Biologist at MSD Animal Health in the Czech Republic. My work is positioned at the cutting edge of early discovery, where I leverage generative AI and machine learning to design novel proteins.

In my daily workflow, I integrate modern ML tools like RFDiffusion, ProteinMPNN, and AlphaFold with traditional Molecular Dynamics and physics-based validation. My goal is to move beyond simple prediction and into the realm of intentional design—creating proteins from scratch that can solve complex challenges in animal therapeutics and vaccines.

Academic & Professional Foundation

My approach to data science is deeply rooted in structural biology. I earned my Ph.D. from the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, where I specialized in enzymatic catalysis and the structural characterization of complex proteins. This “wet-lab” background gives me a unique advantage: I don’t just see proteins as strings of data; I understand the physical and chemical constraints that determine whether a designed sequence will actually fold and function in a real-world environment.

Before joining MSD, I spent time in the startup and consulting worlds (Scitaris, R2B Catalyst, Novalact), helping translate scientific progress into strategic roadmaps and patents.

Why BiochemBeacon?

I started this blog to document the rapidly evolving landscape of Computational Protein Design. We are living through a “Cambrian Explosion” of AI tools in biology, and I believe that the most impactful innovations will come from those who can speak both the language of code and the language of life.

Connect with me