About Me

I'm James Douglas Pearce, a research scientist with a passion for exploring the intersection of science and art. My journey began with a PhD in Physics, where I studied experimental high-energy particle physics working on the ATLAS experiment at CERN—one of the most ambitious scientific endeavors in human history.

After completing my doctorate, I spent the past decade living and working in the Bay Area, immersing myself in the rapidly evolving world of machine learning and artificial intelligence at various tech companies. This experience taught me how to translate complex scientific concepts into practical applications that can impact millions of lives.

Currently, I work at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, where I focus on the exciting frontier of AI × Biology—applying artificial intelligence to advance our understanding of biological systems and accelerate scientific discovery. Before this role, I contributed to Amazon's Alexa, helping to make AI more accessible and intuitive for everyday users.

Beyond my professional work, I'm deeply passionate about astrophotography and creative writing. These hobbies allow me to explore the cosmos through both technical precision and imaginative storytelling. My astrophotography captures the universe's hidden beauty in high-resolution detail, while my science fiction writing weaves together the scientific and philosophical ideas that fascinate me.

At heart, I believe in combining science with art—whether that's revealing the elegant mathematics underlying cosmic structures or crafting stories that explore humanity's place in the universe. When I write, I try to incorporate the wonder and complexity of the scientific concepts I encounter in my research.

I share my life in the Bay Area with my brilliant wife Debbie and our French Bulldog Babadook, who serves as both inspiration and occasional distraction during late-night imaging sessions.