How to Self-Study Silicon Photonics and Innovate Blood Testing
SiPhox Health builds diagnostic infrastructure both for the home and the central lab.
How to Self-Study Silicon Photonics and Innovate Blood Testing - Michael Dubrovsky's Story
Can you tell us about your journey and how you got into lab-on-a-chip technology and blood testing?
I studied chemistry in my undergrad, so it wasn't that far off from blood testing in that sense. It's a good base for that type of thing and also for materials. I tried grad school but didn't find self-study very effective. The best way to learn is one-on-one tutoring or apprenticeships, as they provide direct feedback. I spent time in grad school and research at universities like Technion and MIT. A lot of grad school value is in the people around you and the structure. You can't get to the edge of a field by just reading textbooks; it's a combination of resources.
How did you teach yourself the science behind photonics and lab-on-a-chip technology?
One-on-one tutoring or apprenticeships are the most effective ways of learning. If you misunderstand something, the person can directly correct you. Textbooks don't provide feedback loops, and some information is just inside people. There are incredible resources online now, like MIT lectures. I didn't finish a PhD, but for an entrepreneur, it's difficult to fit in a full PhD while working on a startup.
What led you to choose silicon photonics and lab-on-a-chip technology?
After my first startup was acquired, I left and spent time studying and living on the beach. In 2017, during the Bitcoin peak, I learned about mining and cryptography, which led me to optical computing. I was searching for a way to prototype an optical computer and got interested in silicon photonics. Someone recommended it to me, I read papers, and found it very exciting. I took classes, read textbooks, and eventually learned to design chips.
How did you go about learning silicon photonics?
I did multiple things: emailed people, purchased textbooks, took a class on edX from the University of British Columbia, and designed a chip as a project. The class was very helpful in getting the fundamentals. Time and patience are also important; spending a couple of years in a field, attending conferences, and absorbing information helps you learn.
What was your process for learning about Bitcoin and optical computing?
I read the Bitcoin white paper and watched YouTube videos about mining. I realized Bitcoin could use a lot of energy and thought about solving that with optical computing. I read a thesis on optical cryptography from MIT, which gave me the idea. It evolved from there as I learned more about the potential of optical computing for cryptography. It took time. I was interested in Bitcoin and wanted to learn something technical. I chose the most technical aspect related to Bitcoin, which led me to optical computing. Through discussions and recommendations, I found out about silicon photonics, took classes, and learned more. It was a gradual process of following interesting topics and learning along the way.
How did you manage to find and connect with experts in the field?
Working for free can be very valuable. If you're willing to work without expecting money or credit, you can work almost anywhere. This separates you from others who seek rewards. I was able to do this because I had some savings from my first startup. It opens up opportunities to learn from the best people in the field.
What advice do you have for someone trying to learn about a new field?
If there is a class available, it can be very helpful. Having the fundamentals makes it easier to learn from individuals. Time, patience, and actively seeking out knowledge from various sources, like conferences and online resources, are key. Combining this with the ability to work for free or low pay can open many doors and provide valuable learning experiences.
How to Self-Study Silicon Photonics and Innovate Blood Testing - Michael Dubrovsky's Story
Can you tell us about your journey and how you got into lab-on-a-chip technology and blood testing?
I studied chemistry in my undergrad, so it wasn't that far off from blood testing in that sense. It's a good base for that type of thing and also for materials. I tried grad school but didn't find self-study very effective. The best way to learn is one-on-one tutoring or apprenticeships, as they provide direct feedback. I spent time in grad school and research at universities like Technion and MIT. A lot of grad school value is in the people around you and the structure. You can't get to the edge of a field by just reading textbooks; it's a combination of resources.
How did you teach yourself the science behind photonics and lab-on-a-chip technology?
One-on-one tutoring or apprenticeships are the most effective ways of learning. If you misunderstand something, the person can directly correct you. Textbooks don't provide feedback loops, and some information is just inside people. There are incredible resources online now, like MIT lectures. I didn't finish a PhD, but for an entrepreneur, it's difficult to fit in a full PhD while working on a startup.
What led you to choose silicon photonics and lab-on-a-chip technology?
After my first startup was acquired, I left and spent time studying and living on the beach. In 2017, during the Bitcoin peak, I learned about mining and cryptography, which led me to optical computing. I was searching for a way to prototype an optical computer and got interested in silicon photonics. Someone recommended it to me, I read papers, and found it very exciting. I took classes, read textbooks, and eventually learned to design chips.
How did you go about learning silicon photonics?
I did multiple things: emailed people, purchased textbooks, took a class on edX from the University of British Columbia, and designed a chip as a project. The class was very helpful in getting the fundamentals. Time and patience are also important; spending a couple of years in a field, attending conferences, and absorbing information helps you learn.
What was your process for learning about Bitcoin and optical computing?
I read the Bitcoin white paper and watched YouTube videos about mining. I realized Bitcoin could use a lot of energy and thought about solving that with optical computing. I read a thesis on optical cryptography from MIT, which gave me the idea. It evolved from there as I learned more about the potential of optical computing for cryptography. It took time. I was interested in Bitcoin and wanted to learn something technical. I chose the most technical aspect related to Bitcoin, which led me to optical computing. Through discussions and recommendations, I found out about silicon photonics, took classes, and learned more. It was a gradual process of following interesting topics and learning along the way.
How did you manage to find and connect with experts in the field?
Working for free can be very valuable. If you're willing to work without expecting money or credit, you can work almost anywhere. This separates you from others who seek rewards. I was able to do this because I had some savings from my first startup. It opens up opportunities to learn from the best people in the field.
What advice do you have for someone trying to learn about a new field?
If there is a class available, it can be very helpful. Having the fundamentals makes it easier to learn from individuals. Time, patience, and actively seeking out knowledge from various sources, like conferences and online resources, are key. Combining this with the ability to work for free or low pay can open many doors and provide valuable learning experiences.
How to Self-Study Silicon Photonics and Innovate Blood Testing - Michael Dubrovsky's Story
Can you tell us about your journey and how you got into lab-on-a-chip technology and blood testing?
I studied chemistry in my undergrad, so it wasn't that far off from blood testing in that sense. It's a good base for that type of thing and also for materials. I tried grad school but didn't find self-study very effective. The best way to learn is one-on-one tutoring or apprenticeships, as they provide direct feedback. I spent time in grad school and research at universities like Technion and MIT. A lot of grad school value is in the people around you and the structure. You can't get to the edge of a field by just reading textbooks; it's a combination of resources.
How did you teach yourself the science behind photonics and lab-on-a-chip technology?
One-on-one tutoring or apprenticeships are the most effective ways of learning. If you misunderstand something, the person can directly correct you. Textbooks don't provide feedback loops, and some information is just inside people. There are incredible resources online now, like MIT lectures. I didn't finish a PhD, but for an entrepreneur, it's difficult to fit in a full PhD while working on a startup.
What led you to choose silicon photonics and lab-on-a-chip technology?
After my first startup was acquired, I left and spent time studying and living on the beach. In 2017, during the Bitcoin peak, I learned about mining and cryptography, which led me to optical computing. I was searching for a way to prototype an optical computer and got interested in silicon photonics. Someone recommended it to me, I read papers, and found it very exciting. I took classes, read textbooks, and eventually learned to design chips.
How did you go about learning silicon photonics?
I did multiple things: emailed people, purchased textbooks, took a class on edX from the University of British Columbia, and designed a chip as a project. The class was very helpful in getting the fundamentals. Time and patience are also important; spending a couple of years in a field, attending conferences, and absorbing information helps you learn.
What was your process for learning about Bitcoin and optical computing?
I read the Bitcoin white paper and watched YouTube videos about mining. I realized Bitcoin could use a lot of energy and thought about solving that with optical computing. I read a thesis on optical cryptography from MIT, which gave me the idea. It evolved from there as I learned more about the potential of optical computing for cryptography. It took time. I was interested in Bitcoin and wanted to learn something technical. I chose the most technical aspect related to Bitcoin, which led me to optical computing. Through discussions and recommendations, I found out about silicon photonics, took classes, and learned more. It was a gradual process of following interesting topics and learning along the way.
How did you manage to find and connect with experts in the field?
Working for free can be very valuable. If you're willing to work without expecting money or credit, you can work almost anywhere. This separates you from others who seek rewards. I was able to do this because I had some savings from my first startup. It opens up opportunities to learn from the best people in the field.
What advice do you have for someone trying to learn about a new field?
If there is a class available, it can be very helpful. Having the fundamentals makes it easier to learn from individuals. Time, patience, and actively seeking out knowledge from various sources, like conferences and online resources, are key. Combining this with the ability to work for free or low pay can open many doors and provide valuable learning experiences.
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