Zack Phillips, PhD

Senior ML Optical Engineer, insitro San Francisco, California, USA zack [at] zackphillips [dot] com [github] [scholar] [linkedin] [cv]

About me

With over a decade of experience as a seasoned computational sensing generalist, I have pioneered and scaled systems across diverse fields, including biometric sensing (Apple Exploratory Design), drug discovery (insitro), and defense (AWARE Project at Duke University). My expertise lies in applying theoretical knowledge of computational optical physics and leveraging high-dimensional data models to derive actionable insights. I have also developed a robust software skill set and led numerous collaborative projects. In addition, I co-founded SCI Microscopy with my PhD advisor, Laura Waller, and earned my PhD in Applied Science and Technology from UC Berkeley’s Computational Imaging Lab within the EECS Department.

I lead the Computational Microscopy Group at insitro, focusing on developing scalable, ML-ready datasets through optical microscopy to enhance drug discovery.

Colleagues often describe me as a “builder”—skilled in hardware, software, and ML. I thrive in small teams that tackle well-defined, challenging design problems requiring an interdisciplinary approach. While microscopy presents many such challenges, I also enjoy exploring similar problems in other imaging domains.

Before relocating to California from my home state of North Carolina, I worked as a lab technician in the DISP Lab at Duke University. I completed my BS with highest honors in Applied Science and Engineering (Biomedical Engineering concentration) at UNC-Chapel Hill, which is now the UNC Biomedical Engineering Department.

Outside of research, I enjoy surfing, camping, woodworking, running, and wind sports. I was also involved in the Students for Environmental Energy Development (SEED) program from 2014 to 2018, where I mentored 4th and 5th graders at La Esculeta Elementary in Oakland, CA.

Work-Interests:

• Computational Imaging and Sensing

• Quantitative Microscopy

• Optical and Optomechancial Design

• Software Architecture

Open-Source

See my Github page for more information, as well as SCI Microscopy's GitHub page. Some of my work is featured on my lab group's Open-source page.

Recent Publications

1. A Pooled Cell Painting CRISPR Screening Platform Enables de novo Inference of Gene Function by Self-supervised Deep Learning (with insitro team)

2. High-throughput fluorescence microscopy using multi-frame motion deblurring (with Sarah Dean)

3. Single-shot quantitative phase microscopy with color-multiplexed differential phase contrast (cDPC) (with Michael Chen)

4. Coded illumination techniques for phase imaging and motion blur

5. Multi-contrast imaging and digital refocusing on a mobile microscope with a domed LED array

See Full list of publications and proceedings.