From Systems Builder to Biology Explorer: A Technologist's Mission to Find Answers.
A personal diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis ended my military career, sparking a two-decade journey through technology that has now become a focused mission: to unravel the complexities of autoimmune disease for myself and for all of us.
For Patients, Researchers, and the Next Generation:
This is a patient-led initiative with two goals. First, to conduct aggressive, technology-assisted research into the root causes of Ankylosing Spondylitis and other autoimmune diseases, driven by my own urgent need for answers. Second, to build a new generation of STEM, health, and nutrition educational resources to help the next generation understand their bodies and prevent chronic disease before it can take hold.
Research Initiatives
Future Students
An Unplanned Path to a Purpose
My life has been defined by an unexpected pivot. My initial path was one of structure and discipline, serving as a radio systems qualified artillery gunner in the Canadian military from 2002 to 2004. But that chapter was cut short by a diagnosis that would change everything: Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Forced to leave the military, I entered a period of transition, searching for a new path. I channeled my creative energy into another lifelong passion, moving to Toronto to study music production and technology at the Harris Institute from 2005-2006. There, I learned my way around a studio, exploring complex systems of a different kind—MIDI programming, signal processing, and digital audio workstations.
Discipline forged in the military; purpose refined by technology.
This exploration continued as I relocated to Asia, living in Japan from 2006 to 2007. That time abroad gave me new perspectives and inspired me deeply. After a short stint working in telecom in Canada, in 2008 I moved to China and fully embraced my passion for software, taking on a role developing PHP-based e-learning and e-commerce platforms. This was the true beginning of my new career.
Over the next decade and beyond, I dove headfirst into technology. I launched my first startup in 2012, became a technical co-founder of multiple companies, and led research and development in cutting-edge fields like AI and decentralized technologies. Every skill I acquired, every system I built, unknowingly became part of the arsenal I would need for a much bigger fight.
All along, I was waging a quiet war with my own body. This drove a deep, personal interest in health and nutrition, leading me to read medical studies for fun and research ways to halt and reverse spinal bone fusion. Now, these two paths have merged. This initiative is my life's work, repurposed, applying my entire technical toolkit to the single most important problem I have ever faced.
Our Two Pillars of Focus
This initiative channels my life experience into two distinct but interconnected efforts.
The Autoimmune Research Initiative
This is the frontline. We are taking a systems-engineering approach to Ankylosing Spondylitis, born from my own lived experience. This is not a detached academic exercise; it's a relentless search for answers. We are applying machine learning and data analysis to understand the mechanics of this disease, with the explicit goal of identifying pathways for reversal. My personal hardware lab and AI R&D experience are the engine room for this investigation.
The STEM x Health Education Initiative
Prevention is the ultimate cure. My experience building e-learning platforms for clients like Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy has shown me the power of accessible education. We are developing open-source educational resources aimed at young people, teaching the science behind nutrition and health. By instilling this knowledge early, we can empower the next generation with the tools to reduce their risk of chronic disease.
Join the Pursuit of Knowledge and Healing
This is more than a website; it's the start of a movement. A movement for patients who refuse to accept their prognosis, for citizen scientists, and for anyone who believes technology can unlock a new era of human health.
My path was changed by force, but I am choosing this new direction with purpose. The challenges are immense, but our tools have never been more powerful.
If you or someone you know has been affected by autoimmune disease, subscribe to our newsletter. You'll get updates on my personal research, access to new educational content, and become part of a community that refuses to stand still.
Research Log & Educational Insights
This is where the journey is documented. You'll find research updates, deep dives into scientific papers, educational content, and reflections on the intersection of technology and health.
The Day My Body Became the Enemy: My Military Diagnosis Story
On the day of my diagnosis, everything changed. This is the story of what happened next.
2025-01-10
Upcoming Articles
From Firing Howitzers to Fighting Inflammation: A Technologist's Journey
How a military path transformed into a mission to decode autoimmune disease.
2025-01-05
My Quest to Reverse Spinal Fusion: The Starting Point
Setting the baseline: metrics, hypotheses, and early interventions.
2025-01-12
Reading PubMed for Fun: A Guide for the Patient-Researcher
Practical techniques for finding signal in medical literature noise.
2025-01-18
Could an AI be Your Next Doctor? The 'Autodoc' Concept
Exploring boundaries of clinical support with machine intelligence.
2025-01-22
Inflammation 101: Understanding the Root of Autoimmune Disease
A clear, actionable primer on systemic inflammation mechanisms.
2025-01-26
Building for Biology: My Custom Machine Learning Rigs for Health Research
Hardware choices that power data-driven discovery.
2025-01-29
Our Approach
Patient-Driven Urgency
Our research is not academic; it's driven by the urgent, personal need for solutions.
First-Principles Thinking
We break down complex biological problems to their fundamental parts, questioning every assumption.
Technological Leverage
We believe AI, machine learning, and data analysis are essential tools for decoding the complexity of autoimmune disease.
Empowerment Through Education
We believe that providing people with a deep understanding of health and nutrition is the most effective form of preventative medicine.
The Technology Powering the Mission
My diagnosis inadvertently pushed me to build a unique set of skills. This toolkit is now the foundation for this health initiative.
AI & Machine Learning
Years of R&D with NLP, GPT models, and various open-source ML technologies are now being focused on analyzing biological data and medical research.
Data & Analytics
Experience building data-driven discovery engines and working with a wide array of databases is crucial for managing and interpreting large health datasets.
E-Learning Systems Development
A history of building and managing e-learning platforms provides the expertise needed to create high-quality, scalable health education resources.
Hardware and Robotics
My personal lab, including multi-GPU ML workstations, robotic arms, and an OpenBCI headset, serves as a testbed for new research tools and methodologies.
Get In Touch
Ready to join the mission? Subscribe to stay updated on research progress and new educational content.
Website
bengervais.org
hello@bengervais.org
Location
Global Initiative