Dante
Maggiotto
Maker · Scientist · Generalist
Hey, I'm Dante :)
Here's a more personal side of mine - what makes me tick.
About Me
I enjoy working across disciplines, because learning and adapting is what makes us great.
Previously, I did research on wildfires, scaled Socratica in Waterloo, biocomputational research, and I enjoy running.
Currently, I'm interested in tinkering with new growth + pricing models.
Work
Data Analytics at Hatch
Analytics & ML
Built executive level data analytics metrics on Hatch's $10B+ revenue pipeline. Built out an ML Model to forecast total utilization monthly. Bypassed a lot of AI blockers.
Crypto at OSFI
Policy & Research
OSFI is the Canadian government branch regulating banks. Researched digital innovations in banking, incl. crypto, stablecoins, blockchain, CBDCs. Got to analyze classified exec meetings within big banks, and had round table meetings with major finance companies like Interac, Binance, Wealthsimple, etc.
Processes at Nicoya
Operations
Series A startup, builds SPR machines using microfluidics cartridges for drug discovery and molecule-molecule binding interactions. Designed SOPs, did lab testing, and ate a lot of Tim Hortons.
Firebird
Co-founded a startup
Co-founded an AI wildfire prediction startup. We used satellite imagery + DL to forecast for ignition hotspots based on 80+ parameters. Won the Conrad e-launch pitch. Published an article with UWaterloo News that captured national attention and was commended by Vivek Goel, current UW President.
Residence Life Advisor
Leadership
Got to work with 100s of cracked first year engineers, and made sure everyone survived midterms/exams. Hosted weekly floor events, ran community building, and was the on-call for the 1,000+ students in residence, did lots of resume reviews.
Director of Waterfront
Leadership
Went to summer camp every year. Eventually they hired me to run waterfront—one of my most valuable experiences. Taught 500+ kiddos to swim, trained guards, but learned most about owning problems and leadership/communication. Also got to live in a cabin with my best friends for 4 months.
Projects
Socratica ⁂
Community
We're a global community of makers, artists, engineers, and everything in-between! Hosting weekly co-working sessions at 40+ nodes worldwide. We run the largest independent student-run event in UWaterloo, Socratica Symposium, and I get to work with some of the coolest people and companies I know <3
Design
Creative
I like making beautiful things.
Websites
Development
Built some websites for various projects
Writing
Substack & More
I used to love writing, but school started to make it feel like a chore. I've started rekindling my love for it by writing about things I'm passionate about, on Substack and other.
Science
Research
I am a biochemist by trade, after all. Have worked in Wet and Dry labs doing Pipetting, electrophoresis, PCR, microscopy, spectrophotometry, data modeling, statistical analysis, experimental design, etc.
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CNL Biodosimetry Capstone
Led biochemistry validation and fundraising for a portable γ-H2AX biodosimetry device with Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, compressing radiation dose assessment from 24+ hours to under 1 hour. Won the iCapstone Technological Futures Award, raised $8,500+ from 1517 Medici Fund and UWaterloo.
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BIOL 499 Honours Thesis
Computationally designed TNFR1-selective peptide antagonists from sea snake venom for IBD therapy across molecular docking, alanine scanning, and molecular dynamics.
Wacky Experiments
R&D
Random things I've built or tried that didn't fit anywhere else.
Videos
Orchestrating
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Claude Video
Directed a video for Anthropic highlighting some really cool projects being built with Claude
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Chris Hadfield × Socratica
Got the most famous Canadian astronaut to invite people to our event
Innosolve
Community
I founded the first Science club formed in over a decade, scaled to ~15 people across 3 cocreation teams, with the objective of learning more technical skills, doing more independent group work that I didn't see executed with curriculum.
The Other Stuff
Public Speaking
Talks & Panels
For years, I was terrified of public speaking. I always had confidence on what I was saying, but it's truly an art form to perfect stage confidence. After dozens of pitches, case competitions, and training from some of the best mentors I've ever had, my stage presence is far improved.
Investing
Portfolio
Currently heavy gold, some US equities, and cash. My current TFSA allocation ($11,683.27 CAD):
Beta Testing & Tools
Early Adopter
AI and productivity tools I've accumulated over the years. I love being early and doing user interviews.
Events
Hosting & Attending
I love understanding event dynamics. Have attended 150+ through Luma and hosted dozens. Amazing things can happen when you bring a group of people together. Some amazing ones:
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Socratica Symposium
The largest independent student-run event at UWaterloo
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AI Agents Workshop
Fundamentals of AI Agents with my friend Maya Lekhi, and Advait from Warp
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Claude Create-A-Thon
100+ cracked waterloo builders spent a whole day building claude artifacts →
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Socratica:Lounge
12 cool demoes, 100s of people with an espresso + matcha bar, and jazz band. →
Iron Man 70.3
Endurance
Trained up from zero experience to Iron Man 70.3 Victoria in 6 months, had a bunch of amazing friends from Waterloo and SF join. The journey is so hard yet so worthwhile!
Music
What I've been listening to lately.
Recently Played
All-Time Favorites
Hobbies
What I do when I'm not working.
Scuba Diving
Did my scuba certifications in Lake Ontario mid-October/November. Not super pleasant as you can imagine, but it opened the doors to a whole new world. I have ~10 dives on record across Canada, Barbados, Cancun.
Running
Picked up running as a way to clear my head between everything else I juggle. I love the discipline of building mileage, dialing in pace, and zoning out on long solo runs around Waterloo.
DJing
I started obsessively DJing when I bought my first controller, an FLX2. Since then, it's become my mindless therapy. I even bought a strobe light →
Sports
I grew up playing many sports, namely hockey, soccer, swimming, and I played badminton + curling in high school. Also played a lot of basketball — my team is 2x semi-competitive champions for UWaterloo.
Travel
Places I've been, memories I've made.
Florence, Italy
Barcelona, Spain
Nice, France
Valencia, Spain
Lisbon, Portugal
Cancun, Mexico
Madrid, Spain
Florence, Italy
Nice, France
Barcelona, Spain
Lisbon, Portugal
Valencia, Spain
Madrid, Spain
Cancun, Mexico
MORE PLACES (AND PHOTOS) COMING SOON
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