In the spring of 2022, inside a lecture hall at Boston's Longwood Medical Area, a group of scientists and researchers from diverse fields came together for the first time to openly share discoveries, explore emerging technologies, and most importantly, inspire one another. More than just a scientific exchange, the symposium introduced a new model of cross-sector collaboration—integrating resources and insights from academic institutions, hospitals, and biotechnology companies.
This symposium was organized by Shidong Wang, Associate Director of Life Sciences at SomaLogic, a leading biotechnology company specializing in the development of advanced tools for the study of proteins and proteomics. In an industry often siloed by narrowly defined research topics, Wang created a shared space where scientists and researchers could inspire each other and bridge the collaborative gap between academic research, drug development, and clinical applications.
The success of that pilot symposium inspired similar events across the globe, each reinforcing a growing community around proteomics innovation. It reflected Wang's commercial philosophy: not just to sell a platform, but to build the infrastructure and trust needed for lasting scientific ecosystems.
Wang's career began in academic research. With a bachelor's degree in biology from Fudan University and a master's degree in biochemistry from Vanderbilt University, he published studies in Nature Communications, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, and, most recently, Nature Genetics. These foundational experiences equipped him with the scientific fluency to later support researchers not merely as a vendor, but as a trusted consultant deeply embedded throughout the translational research process.
At SomaLogic, Wang leads the adoption of the SomaScan Assay, a high-throughput proteomics platform, and oversees the Greater Boston and New England region, one of the world's most densely concentrated life sciences hubs. His portfolio exceeds $7 million in annual revenue, and his clients include top academic institutions such as Harvard and Yale, healthcare institutions like Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, as well as the leading global pharmaceutical companies.
Wang's commercial edge lies in his ability to align with each client's strategic goals—whether academic or industrial. In academia, he contributes to study design, pilot data generation, and NIH grant development, helping researchers strengthen their funding proposals. Since joining SomaLogic, he has expanded the company's academic business more than 5-fold.
In biopharma, Wang's efforts focus on advancing precision drug development. He collaborates with research directors and VPs to apply proteomic data at key points along the drug development pipeline—from elucidating mechanisms of action to optimizing patient stratification in Phase II and III clinical trials. He delivers over 10 technical presentations per year to global research teams, guiding them on how to integrate SomaScan's 11,000-protein measurement platform into their workflows.
Beyond direct sales, Wang has led major platform deployment initiatives. He spearheaded the implementation of SomaScan Assay platforms at Harvard Medical School, ranked as the No.1 SomaScan core facility globally, where thousands of samples are processed annually for researchers across the United States. He also launched the first SomaScan site in Canada at McGill University and enabled the only currently operational SomaScan platform inside a biotechnology company. These efforts reduce turnaround time, improve data consistency, and localize access to technology—all key advantages in a fast-moving field. "It's not just about enabling data generation," Wang says. "It's about helping institutions build long-term capacity for multi-omics research."
Wang's influence also extends inside SomaLogic. He has been named Top Global Commercial Representative for two consecutive years, a recognition that reflects not only revenue performance but also strategic impact. He mentors new sales team members, supports cross-functional projects with Clinical R&D and Marketing, and helps shape SomaLogic's expansion strategy through frontline client engagement.
While Wang remains grounded in daily client engagement, he is also tracking the next frontier: the convergence of AI and proteomics. With growing capabilities in computational biology, he believes SomaScan's large-scale datasets will become essential to systems-level disease modeling, especially in complex conditions that demand integrated multi-omics approaches.
"Proteins are the functional layer of biology," he says. "And now we have the tools and partnerships to see them at scale." From symposiums to sequencing strategies, Shidong Wang is shaping the future of proteomics research—scientifically rigorous, commercially grounded, and fundamentally collaborative. In doing so, he helps define what modern scientific leadership looks like.
