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Our Mission

To help leaders make informed, impactful decisions that shape a better future.

Who We Are

Epistemix is a cutting-edge company that fuses social science and data science to empower organizations with the foresight needed to navigate complex challenges. Founded on decades of experience in computational modeling, public health, and data science, we have developed a platform that goes beyond traditional analytics by simulating how people and populations behave under various scenarios. Our mission is to help leaders make informed, impactful decisions that shape a better future.

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How We Work

We combine our advanced simulation platform with expert consultation to deliver tailored solutions that address your specific needs. Our platform uses a synthetic population model that replicates the real-world dynamics of people, behaviors, and environments. By testing various scenarios and interventions, we provide you with actionable insights that predict outcomes with unparalleled accuracy. Working with Epistemix means collaborating closely with our team of scientists and specialists to refine strategies, optimize results, and ensure that every decision you make is backed by data-driven evidence. Whether you’re in public health, pharma, or any other sector, our tech-enabled services ensure that your organization is prepared for whatever the future holds.

Our Origins

  • Epistemix's story begins in the depths of the Congo Basin, where Dr. Don Burke, a seasoned epidemiologist with a background at Walter Reed, recognized a crucial gap in how data was used to predict and manage infectious diseases. His vision for a more powerful tool led him to partner with Dr. John Grefenstette, a computer scientist with a deep expertise in simulation and machine learning. Together, they created FRED—a revolutionary platform that could model the spread of diseases with unprecedented accuracy.

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  • With significant support from the National Institutes of Health, the CDC, and the Gates Foundation, FRED became the foundation for a global network of researchers. But Burke and Grefenstette knew their work could go beyond academia. They saw the potential to simulate not just diseases, but the spread of ideas, behaviors, and trends—providing invaluable insights to leaders making high-stakes decisions.

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  • To bring this vision to life, they enlisted John Cordier, a from Pitt’s School of Public Health and Business. Cordier, who had already founded a nonprofit focused on community health, saw the opportunity to commercialize FRED. Under his leadership, Epistemix transformed from a university project into a thriving company, now offering its powerful simulation platform to organizations tackling complex social and economic challenges. Today, Epistemix stands at the intersection of cutting-edge technology and social science, providing clients with the tools they need to make informed, impactful decisions in an uncertain world.

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Our Origins

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Our Founders and Partners

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Donald S. Burke, MD

President

Dr. Burke brings a wealth of experience in epidemiology and public health. A Harvard-trained physician and former Colonel at Walter Reed, Don led vaccine and diagnostic test development for globally critical diseases. As Dean of the Graduate School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh, he pioneered computational modeling for public health, leading to the creation of FRED and the founding of Epistemix. With over 300 scientific papers to his name, Don continues to shape the future of health policy and population health.

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John Grefenstette, PhD

Chief Technology Officer

Dr. Grefenstette is a trailblazer at the intersection of biology and computation. With a storied career that includes roles at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and George Mason University, John has been instrumental in advancing machine learning and computational biology. His work on synthetic populations and simulation models of public health underpins Epistemix’s technical foundation. A recipient of the Evolutionary Computation Pioneer Award, John continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in computational epidemiology.

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John Cordier

Chief Executive Officer

John Cordier is the visionary driving Epistemix from lab to market. With dual degrees in Public Health and Business from the University of Pittsburgh, John saw the commercial potential of the FRED platform and spearheaded its transition into a scalable business. John also founded a nonprofit aimed at addressing local health disparities. His leadership at Epistemix focuses on leveraging cutting-edge technology to solve complex social and economic challenges on a global scale.

 

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Our Values

Curiosity:

Go Further

Be willing to explore. Search for better ways. Reach out and ask.

Empathy:

Understand the User

Learn their perspective. Uncover motivations. Acknowledge constraints.

Inspiration:

Show the Path

Customers are the hero. Seeing is believing. Focus on solutions.

Clarity:

Checkers, Not Chess

Keep it simple. Be open and forthcoming. Make the chaos known.