Genentech scientist brings cutting-edge AI course to SFSU

New class introduces students to protein modeling and deep learning for biotech research

After hearing the positive things colleagues had to say about San Francisco State University’s Promoting Inclusivity in Computing (PINC) program, Genentech scientist Will Thrift reached out to PINC Director Anagha Kulkarni with a proposal: collaborate on a course focused on protein artificial intelligence (AI). The result is “CSC 511: Protein Modeling with Deep Learning,” now giving SFSU undergraduates the opportunity to learn from a working Genentech scientist. 

Taught by Thrift, the class launched in the spring of 2026. Undergraduates learn the fundamentals of deep machine learning (an AI approach that trains computer models to recognize patterns in complex data) as it applies to protein systems, protein property predictions, protein folding, generative and discriminative models, and more. Since many diseases originate from proteins misbehaving, AI can help predict how a protein may malfunction and support drug discovery.

“Protein modeling with deep learning is as cutting edge as it gets. And we get to have an industry practitioner — someone who knows the theory and practices the science — craft and lead the development of the course,” said Kulkarni. As a Computer Science professor and associate chair, she’s an expert in machine learning. But protein AI isn’t her area of expertise.

“My reaction to CSC 511 was excitement,” said Psychology senior Akemi Smart. “I felt proud that I was taking it. The school wanted me to succeed, and that’s a theme I felt throughout the PINC program.”