Meet Will Kaegi
“BioBuilder actually allows you to do something with your knowledge, and work on a project that has an actual impact on the world.”
In this episode, Zeeshan talks with Will about how creative world building turned into a real drive to solve problems through biology and synthetic biology. Their conversation traces how BioBuilder helped Will gain mentors, lab confidence, and a clearer path from high school projects to Stanford bioengineering and early industry exposure.
This episode includes a conversation about Will’s
• early curiosity rooted in ecosystems, energy flow, and creativity
• why biology feels like a place he can build and contribute
• what drew him to quorum sensing and bacterial communication
• how reading about CRISPR sparked interest in synthetic biology
• why BioBuilder matters for access and first-generation students
• how he helped design projects that protect ecosystems
• projects related to coral reef protection and tackling fertilizer runoff
• mentorship moments that reshape what it means to be a scientist
• presenting lightning talks, building communication skills, finding community
• internships and research experiences that clarified industry versus academic paths
• choice of Stanford for challenge and choosing bioengineering to translate research into impact
• advice for 16-year-olds who feel intimidated, namely: show up, learn by doing, ask questions .
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