Omeed Rahimi, chief scientific officer, EncepHeal Therapeutics Inc.
Age: 36
Work address: 301 N. Main St., Suite 2405, Winston-Salem 27101
City you live in: Winston Salem
Education: Bachelor's, biochemistry, University of St. Thomas; master's, pharmacology; University of Minnesota; Ph.D., integrative physiology and pharmacology, Wake Forest University
Why selected: Rahimi is the co-founder and chief scientific officer of EncepHeal Therapeutics, which works to develop medications to treat substance abuse and mental health disorders. Rahimi co-founded the company while working on his Ph.D. at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and helped the company raise more than $4 million in grants and investments. He's volunteered by offering entrepreneurial advice at Venture Cafe (now Agile City Winston-Salem), and is an alum of startup accelerator YCombinator. Rahimi also fundraises for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
How can the Triad better retain young and talented professionals? Provide more collaborative spaces and opportunities where young people of different industries, backgrounds and interests can interact and share their ideas. Larger cities offer more opportunities for these types of programs, but they are hard to come by in small to midsize cities. An example of these spaces is Venture Cafe (now operating as Agile City Winston-Salem). Prior to Covid-19, weekly Thursday gatherings were held in the Bailey Power Plant, allowing individuals of different industries, age groups, experience levels, etc. to network and share ideas on a weekly basis. I attended these events regularly and have seen how a program like this can be successful firsthand.
Most meaningful volunteer activity? One opportunity I found really rewarding was volunteering with the Winston-Salem Jaycees to go holiday shopping with kids from the Winston-Salem community. It was really special to shop with kids who may not have the means to do so on their own. Seeing their gratitude and enjoyment made it really memorable.
I am passionate about ... learning new things. Each year I make it my goal to learn a new skill.
A fun fact people may not know about you? I have two middle names. Edward and Anthony.
Tell us about a talent you are most proud of. I'm a big fan of "Star Wars" and the character Chewbacca. After watching the movies, I taught myself how to Wookie call. My family and friends think it is hilarious.
Have you displayed your talent publicly? Yes, people love a spontaneous Wookie call.
What television show or movie would be best suited to demonstrate your talent and why? "Star Wars"
If you could meet anyone in the world, who would you like to meet? David Blaine
