PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Alex Rives

Also known as Alexander Rives

As of October 2026, Alex Rives is head of science at Biohub, where he works at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biology. He matters to AI because he started and led the ESM project at Meta, which developed the first large-scale transformer language models for proteins. In April 2023 the founding team left Meta to start EvolutionaryScale, and Rives helped found it as chief scientist. The company emerged from stealth in June 2024 with ESM3, the largest protein language model, and a $142M seed round. In November 2025 the EvolutionaryScale team joined Biohub, and in 2026 TIME named Rives to its TIME100 AI list.

Timeline

  1. 2019

    Protein models at Meta

    In 2019, the founding team builds ESM1, which is widely recognized as the first large language model for proteins. He starts and leads the ESM project at Meta's fundamental AI research lab, which develops the first large-scale transformer language models for proteins.

  2. April 2023

    Founding EvolutionaryScale

    In April 2023, the founding team leaves Meta and starts EvolutionaryScale to develop a next-generation model, ESM3. He helps found the company as its chief scientist.

  3. June 2024

    ESM3 and a seed round

    In June 2024, EvolutionaryScale emerges from stealth with ESM3, the largest protein language model, and a $142M seed round.

  4. September 2024

    Assistant professor at MIT

    In September 2024, he joins MIT's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science as an assistant professor.

  5. November 2025

    EvolutionaryScale joins Biohub

    In November 2025, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan announce a first-of-its-kind initiative. The EvolutionaryScale team joins Biohub in a strategic transaction with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

  6. 2026

    Named to TIME100 AI

    In 2026, TIME names him to its TIME100 AI list.

  7. As of October 2026

    Head of science at Biohub

    He is head of science at Biohub, working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biology. He also holds a core membership at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.

Sources and credits

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  1. EvolutionaryScale Launches with ESM3: A Milestone AI Model for Biology - Silicon UK silicon.co.uk. Checked 14 October 2026.
  2. Alex Rives, Ph.D. - Biohub biohub.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  3. EvolutionaryScale Emerges from Stealth with ESM3, the Largest Protein Language Model, and $142M Seed Round maginative.com. Checked 14 October 2026.
  4. Alex Rives | MIT School of Engineering engineering.mit.edu. Checked 14 October 2026.
  5. Biohub launches AI and biology initiative to cure disease biohub.org. Checked 14 October 2026.
  6. Gunderson Client EvolutionaryScale Team Joins Biohub in Strategic Transaction with Chan Zuckerberg Initiative | Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP gunder.com. Checked 14 October 2026.