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SDSU AI Highlights

Nicholas C. Butzin, Ph.D.

Nicholas C. Butzin directs the Synthetic Biology and Biocomputing Laboratory at SDSU, where his research bridges genetic circuits, microbial decision-making and computational modeling. He is the recipient of a National Science Foundation CAREER Award for his work on cellular memory and biological control systems, and he leads interdisciplinary projects advancing the design and analysis of programmable biological systems. He is also a co-lead on a major EPSCoR-supported initiative developing an artificial intelligence-driven molecular discovery platform for new antimicrobial agents. This work uses generative AI and high-throughput computational screening to identify molecules that disrupt bacterial cell death pathways, inhibit biofilm maintenance and neutralize fungal toxins. The effort carries broad societal implications, from combating antimicrobial resistance to improving food safety, and builds regional capacity through shared AI and machine learning infrastructure, expanded assay capabilities and K-12 and undergraduate STEM training. Butzin has published extensively in synthetic biology and systems microbiology and is deeply committed to student mentorship and integrating research into undergraduate and graduate education.