Navigating Excellence: Our Guiding Stars
Meet the Experts Shaping AI-Driven Drug Design and Discovery
Rayca Precision Team

Pouya Behrouzi
Co-Founder and CEO

Pouya Behrouzi
Co-Founder and CEO
I'm dedicating myself to leverage best in kind AI models and our proprietary data infrastructure to solve some of the toughest challenges in drug development. At Rayca, we focus on designing and delivering advanced drug candidates—small molecules, cyclic and linear peptides, peptidomimetics, antibodies, and novel protein therapies. By combining data from genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics with our advanced computational workflows, we uncover new opportunities for breakthrough treatments in areas like oncology, immunotherapy, and rare diseases.
What makes our work exciting is the way we bring together advanced computational modeling and real-world testing. Every drug candidate we design is carefully optimized to balance efficacy, safety, and practical application. From mapping cryptic binding pockets to refining pharmacokinetics, our goal is to create therapies that truly make a difference for patients.
As we grow Rayca Precision, my focus is on building meaningful partnerships with biotech and pharma, collaborations with our wonderful academic partners in order to expand our therapeutic pipeline, and make sure that we stay ahead in an ever-evolving life sciences industry. I’m driven by a deep belief in the power of technology and science to transform medicine, and I’m committed to make that happen at Rayca Precision.

Mahmood Zali
Co-Founder and CBO

Mahmood Zali
Co-Founder and CBO
As Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer at Rayca Precision, I’ve dedicated my career to building partnerships that bridge the gap between science and the business strategies needed to deliver life-changing therapies. At Rayca, we focus on designing and delivering optimized drug candidate libraries rather than offering a platform—a unique business model that sets us apart. Our approach ensures that every molecule, every peptide, and every construct we create is tailored to solve the most pressing challenges in oncology, immunotherapy, and rare diseases. It’s a model built on precision, collaboration, and the relentless pursuit of better outcomes for patients.
With decades of experience in business development and entrepreneurship, I’ve learned that true innovation requires more than great science, it demands a deep understanding of markets, partners, and the people behind every opportunity. My role at Rayca involves guiding and executing partnership development processes, defining market development strategies, and creating the frameworks that enable our team to thrive in a complex life sciences market.
I’m endlessly optimistic about the future of AI in drug discovery, because I see how our science, our business model, and our partnerships come together to push better therapeutics every single day.

Mahdi Muhaddesi
Co-Founder and Chief of Data Infrastructure

Mahdi Muhaddesi
Co-Founder and Chief of Data Infrastructure
As Co-Founder and Chief of Data Infrastructure at Rayca Precision, I lead the development of our Trusted Integrated Data Environment (TIDE), a foundational innovation we call RaycaTIDE. This state-of-the-art data lakehouse solution powers our entire drug discovery platform, enabling it to learn and adapt from each discovery. By seamlessly integrating multi-omics data, experimental findings, and computational outputs, RaycaTIDE creates a federated and dynamic environment that evolves with every new dataset, making our platform smarter and more precise over time.
With a deep background in infrastructure scaling, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance, I’ve built a robust system that supports the massive computational demands of modern drug discovery and ensures data security, integrity, and compliance with health industry standards. My work bridges cutting-edge data engineering with the critical needs of life sciences so Rayca can turn vast, complex datasets into actionable insights that accelerate therapeutic innovation.
I focus on scaling infrastructure that balances high-performance computing with trusted security measures, and make sure our researchers and collaborators at Rayca Precision can rely on a platform that’s as secure as it is powerful. Every byte of data that flows through RaycaTIDE represents a step forward in solving some of medicine’s toughest challenges, and I’m proud to play a role in building the backbone of this transformative technology.

Piero Palacious
Lead Bioinformatician

Piero Palacious
Lead Bioinformatician
Piero Palacios is an accomplished Lead Bioinformatician Scientist at Rayca Precision, with extensive experience in Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), Biotechnology, Experiment Design, and Project Management. He has a track record of developing cutting-edge solutions for Precision Oncology and Molecular Medicine, leveraging statistical computational tools to analyze large molecular datasets for clinical and basic research purposes.
With his expertise in developing new software applications and customizing existing ones to meet specific project needs, Piero is at the forefront of the revolution to transform cancer treatment through the innovative use of Artificial Intelligence and high-throughput transcriptome and genome profiling. He specializes in providing statistical computational tools for biologically-based activities such as genetic analysis, measurement of gene expression, and gene set analysis, and uses his skills to monitor cancer from its earliest stages and develop the most optimal treatment plans to improve patient survival rates.
Piero's experience in experimental designs, statistical data analysis and modeling, and proficiency in R, Python, and High-Performance Computing (HPC) make him a valuable asset to the Rayca Precision team. His commitment to advancing the field of Precision Oncology and Molecular Medicine, and passion for developing innovative solutions to improve patient outcomes, is an inspiration to his colleagues.
With Piero's track record of success and expertise in Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Bioinformatics, he is well-positioned to lead the development of cutting-edge solutions for Precision Oncology and Molecular Medicine at Rayca Precision. His contribution to the team's mission to unlock the secrets of sequencing data and improve the lives of all living beings will be invaluable.

Lucia Galassi
Bioinformatician Scientist

Natalia Karimova
Computational Chemist

Hsiang Yun Lu
Bioinformatics Engineer

Saswati Panda
Drug Hunter, Computational Chemist

Steven Goold
Computational Chemist

Upeksha Dissanayake
Quantum Computational Chemist

Aakash Shrestha
Computational Chemist

Kurt Knight
Business Development Partner

Kurt Knight
Business Development Partner
Kurt Knight is a highly skilled business development with a proven track record in the healthcare industry. With over 33 product launches and 4 start-ups under his belt, Kurt has extensive experience in pharmaceuticals, capital equipment, imaging, medical devices, diagnostics, and more. His background in a broad range of specialties and call points gives him a unique advantage in providing comprehensive solutions to employers and customers.
Kurt's expertise in infectious disease, oncology, neurology, and other specialties has enabled him to call on a variety of institutions, including hospitals, physician clinics, pharmacies, long-term care facilities, and more. He has experience in key account management, regional account management, and territory management, as well as training and managing sales teams.
Kurt is a Challenger and SPIN sales methodology expert, skilled in selling, marketing, launching products, business development, analysis, strategy, planning, execution, pricing and negotiations, contracting, networking, and creating and leveraging resources. He is proficient in a variety of technologies, including Salesforce, Microsoft platforms, video conferencing, Tableau, and more.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Kurt is actively involved in his community. He has volunteered with the Rocky Mountain Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA), the Colorado Cancer Coalition, ProjectCure, and various missions.
With his proven track record of high-level performance, awards, and goal achievement, Kurt brings valuable skills and experience to the Rayca Precision team. His ability to collaborate, build relationships, and achieve goals make him a valuable asset to the company.

Michael Krazevic
Business Development Partner

Michael Krazevic
Business Development Partner
Michael Krazevic is a seasoned business development expert with a strong passion for the healthcare industry. As a Medical Sales Representative at Rayca Precision, Michael is responsible for building and maintaining profitable partnerships and revenue channels, while delivering exceptional results to his clients.
With a proven track record in new account creation, revenue retention, issue resolution, and prospecting and cold calling, Michael is dedicated to ensuring that his clients receive the highest level of service and support. His exceptional communication and negotiation skills have helped him to influence decision makers and devise effective strategies to drive business growth.
Michael earned a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from Penn State, Harrisburg, PA, and has received multiple certificates and training honors throughout his career. He is committed to continuing his professional development to stay at the forefront of the industry.
Throughout his career, Michael has been recognized for his outstanding performance and commitment to excellence. He is proud to have been a four-time President Award winner and Divisional Sales Representative of the Year, which is a testament to his dedication, expertise, and ability to deliver results.
At Rayca Precision, Michael's expertise and track record in sales and business development will be invaluable in driving revenue growth and expanding the company's reach in the healthcare industry. His commitment to delivering exceptional service and support to clients aligns with the company's mission to improve the lives of all living beings through cutting-edge technology and data analytics.

Samuel J. Palacios
LATAM Business Development Director