Dr. Vivienne Ming
Professional Mad Scientist
Socos Labs
Speaker Bio
Dr. Vivienne Ming explores maximizing human capacity as a theoretical neuroscientist, delusional inventor, and demented author. Over her career she’s founded 12 startups, been chief scientist at 2 others, and launched the “mad science incubator”, Socos Labs, where she explores seemingly intractable problems—from a lone child’s disability to global economic inclusion—for free. As the co-founder and Chief Scientist of Dionysus Health Vivienne applies machine learning to lessen the corrosive health effects of postpartum depression and chronic stress in communities. She also develops tools for socioemotional learning at home and in school, models of bias in hiring and promotion, and neurotechnologies to treat dementia and TBI, outgrowths of her research at UC Berkeley's Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience. Vivienne was named one of “10 Women to Watch in Tech” by Inc. Magazine and one of the BBC’s "100 Women" in 2017. She is featured frequently for her research and inventions in The Financial Times, The Atlantic, and the New York Times. In her free time, Vivienne designs AI systems to treat her son’s diabetes, predict manic episodes in bipolar sufferers, and reunite orphan refugees with extended family members. For relaxation, she writes science fiction and spends time with her wife and children.
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