Our Team

Dr. Barakat is a world-renowned computational scientist with an illustrious two-decade career that spans the dynamic realms of academia and industry, and more than 100 peer-reviewed publications in the field of computational drug discovery. His extensive expertise encompasses a diverse array of fields, including computational biology, computational chemistry, artificial intelligence, and data science, establishing him as a versatile and accomplished figure within the scientific community.

Dr. Barakat is a world-renowned computational scientist with an illustrious two-decade career that spans the dynamic realms of academia and industry, and more than 100 peer-reviewed publications in the field of computational drug discovery. His extensive expertise encompasses a diverse array of fields, including computational biology, computational chemistry, artificial intelligence, and data science, establishing him as a versatile and accomplished figure within the scientific community. His educational journey was marked by an unwavering commitment to excellence. Dr. Barakat earned his doctoral degree in biophysics from the prestigious University of Alberta in Canada, where he laid the intellectual groundwork for his future endeavors. Subsequently, he embarked on a transformative postdoctoral fellowship, fortunate to work within the laboratory of a Nobel Laureate. This invaluable experience provided him with mentorship and insights that would profoundly shape his future contributions to science. At present, Dr. Barakat holds the esteemed position of a full Professor at one of Canada's top-ranking universities. This distinguished role signifies his exceptional contributions at the intersection of physics, biology, and computer science, where he continues to pioneer groundbreaking research and innovation. At the heart of Dr. Barakat's research lies a passionate pursuit of knowledge. His primary focus revolves around unraveling the intricate structure-function relationships inherent to cardiac ion channels, both in states of health and disease. This research is instrumental in advancing our understanding of critical physiological processes and holds promise for developing novel therapeutic interventions. Moreover, Dr. Barakat stands at the forefront of innovation in the field of computational drug discovery. He is dedicated to developing and applying state-of-the-art tools and methodologies that have the potential to revolutionize the drug discovery process. Specifically, his work involves the discovery of novel antiviral and immunotherapeutic small molecule drugs, offering promising solutions to address pressing global health challenges. Beyond his academic and research achievements, Dr. Barakat is a remarkable entrepreneur. He serves as the CEO and co-founder of HEKA Therapeutics Inc., a company committed to the discovery of immune checkpoint small molecule inhibitors. Additionally, he is a co-founder of ACHLYS, a venture dedicated to predicting off-target toxicity of new compounds in the drug discovery process. These entrepreneurial endeavors underscore his ability to translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions that have a profound impact on healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Dr. Barakat's illustrious career is a testament to his unwavering commitment to advancing science, bridging multiple disciplines, and making tangible contributions to the fields of computational biology, computational chemistry, artificial intelligence, and data science. His dedication to unraveling the complexities of cardiac ion channels and his pioneering work in computational drug discovery position him as a leader in the scientific community. Meanwhile, his entrepreneurial spirit reflects his desire to drive innovation and positive change in the world of healthcare and pharmaceuticals.