Michelle K. Tu, Ph.D.
Quick backstory— I was born in the 80’s to immigrant parents. Fell in love with math & science at a young age. Studied biomedical engineering in college and became fascinated with stem cell research. Completed my Ph.D. in cell biology and took a few years off to travel around the world (Asia, Europe, & Middle East). Came back inspired, re-energized, and ready to start my first company, CURA Skincare. After nearly five years in the beauty industry, I turned a creative side project into another full-time business: Modern Theory, a home goods company.
Throughout my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve learned, failed, and flourished and want to share my knowledge, expertise, and resources with you so that you can benefit from my hard-earned experiences and the valuable network that I’ve grown over the years. I’m here to help bring your business idea to life by providing you strategic guidance on developing your product, building your brand, and making your business launch a success.
EDUCATION
Certificate, Women’s Entrepreneurship, Cornell University
Ph.D., Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Davis // Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology
B.Sc., Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine
COMPANIES I’VE STARTED
Daybreak: Traditional Vietnamese coffee made for modern coffee lovers.
Modern Theory: Chic, eco-friendly candles that help spark moments of pleasure and elevate your everyday living spaces.
CURA Skincare: Results-drive, science-backed skincare that focuses on the regenerative skin benefits of calcium.
INTERVIEWS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Expand Your Reach with Shopify Tools — Panelist, Hello Alice x Shopify, October 2021
Design Thinking for Entrepreneurs — Panelist, Grow with Google, August 2021
“When Michelle Tu Fell Out of Love With Her First Business, She Started a New One”, Hello Alice, August 2021
UC Irvine, Alumni Back 2 Campus — Panelist, Virtual, 2021
UC LEADS Career Panel Symposium — Panelist, Virtual, 2021
“Scientist to Candlemaker: Weirdest Career Pivot of All Time?”, Entrepreneur Corner, 2021
“Scientist Turned Entrepreneur with Founder Michelle Tu, Ph.D.”, Interact, 2020“Meet Four Inspiring Female Entrepreneurs Who Own Small Businesses Based In San Francisco”, Quill Jewelry, 2020
“Modern Theory: The smell-good, feel-good candle brand”, Sendle, 2020
STEM Online CareerCon, Highre, 2020
UC LEADS Career Panel Symposium — Panelist, UC Santa Cruz, 2019
“CURA Skincare Founder Dr. Michelle Tu Chats About The Benefits of Calcium & Gets Real About Being A Boss Lady”, Wisdom in Beauty, 2018
“Indie Beauty Profile: Michelle Tu, CURA Skincare”, Cosmetic Design, 2018
Diversity in STEM Symposium — Speaker, Stanford University, 2016
ASSOCIATION
The Wing, Member
Female Founder Collective, Member
All Raise Seed Bootcamp, 2019 cohort
YCombinator Startup School, 2019
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Graduate Student Researcher, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine/UC Davis
Summer Undergraduate Research Scholar, Dept. of Neurological Surgery, UC San Francisco
Undergraduate Student Researcher, Reeve-Irvine Research Center/UC Irvine
AWARDS
Fellow, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Biomedical Engineer of the Year, UC Irvine Henry Samueli School of Engineering
Fellow, UC Irvine Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
Outstanding Poster Presentation: Neuroscience, Society of Neuroscience
Scholar, University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees
PUBLICATIONS, ABSTRACTS & PRESENTATIONS
Can be viewed on Linkedin