About Astute Crew
Astute Crew is committed to providing exceptional due diligence and systems services to organizations seeking clarity and confidence in their business decisions. Our mission is to deliver actionable insights with precision and integrity.
Founded by experienced professionals, Astute Crew brings together a team with a deep understanding of business needs. Our growing network of advisors ensures every project benefits from diverse expertise and industry knowledge.
Meet Our Founders
Dr Johana Carolina Marisol Vega Leonel
Johana holds a PhD in NeuroEngineering and has spent decades in scientific research, including when working at the Center for Disease Control. Her research spans several science and engineering fields like Tissue Engineering, Biochemisty, Materials Science, Polymers, Electrical Engineering & Medicine.
Not only has she been a Postdoctoral researcher and teaching faculty at Stanford but she is also ideating on a few MedTech startup ideas of her own. She is an advisor to a few prosthetics/medtech startups. She is also a mentor and startup advisor to fast growing companies at the intersection of Brain Computer Interface and Bionics.
LinkedIn →Strengths
Most of Johana's work has been in undefined, unknown fields as well as had uncertain and unforeseen challenges. As such, uncertainty, unknowns or multifaceted challenges are a regular part of a day at work. She is not only a dreamer but also a good storyteller. Through her stories, people get inspired to do more and better.
Her challenging childhood as well as professional experience where she always had to break barriers - racial, gender, health, etc. These challenges lent a lot of emotional intelligence that lends stability and longevity to her technical prowess.
Beyond work
Johana likes to read, bike and play boardgames. Despite her cutting edge work, in personal life, she tries to stay grounded by being more old-school. Be it writing notes on a paper, or watching plays or listening to old music - Bolero, Tango, Mariachi and music from the Middle East and Africa.
Varun Turlapati
Varun holds a Masters in Electrical and Computer Engineering and has close to 2 decades of experience in the technology industry across various verticals. His experience with companies - early/late, big/small, failed/successful - adds to his acumen and sagacity.
He has been an investor and is also working in the Venture Capital space these days. He served as a Fractional CTO at an early stage PropTech startup and is currently a Tech Advisor/VP Engg with a Media and EdTech startup. He is also building his passion project in the field of regenerative farming/land stewardship. He is also a small business owner of 2 companies.
Strengths
Varun thrives on unraveling complex technical challenges and finding innovative solutions. His ability to think outside the box and approach issues from multiple angles makes him an invaluable asset to our team and as a mentor.
Varun believes that he his ability to unlearn is his superpower. He's constantly seeking knowledge, meeting people, reading up, and is looking to learn new things. He loves learning by teaching and in many workplaces he prided himself in being the bridge between functions - tech and non-tech, customer support and product, etc.
Beyond work
When Varun isn't programming or mentoring or analyzing companies or strategizing or building connections, he's likely immersed in a creative pursuit. Whether it's photography, writing, or playing a musical instrument, Varun finds inspiration in the arts.
Varun knows that balance is essential. He is passionate about protecting the planet and in his ever continuing zeal to go beyond words and actually do, he learnt to love gardening. In keeping with unconventional methods and solutions, he has adopted/fostered nests of native bees over the last few years. He urges us to appreciate life beyond the office walls!
Common Values
Both our founders share passions in the following:
- • Being of service to humanity (and animals)
- • Breaking barriers and helping others
- • Nurting and inspiring through actions and examples
- • Being ambitious with a Can-do approach
- • Having fun and while doing things
Advisors
Our growing network of advisors and subject-matter experts brings deep, cross-disciplinary expertise to every engagement.
Aryan Durrani
Software and Business Advisor
Technology entrepreneur with 15+ years leading large-scale AI, robotics, and enterprise transformation projects. Aryan has built and exited ventures, raised multimillion-dollar funding, and delivered $500M+ in product revenues and $100M+ in cost savings.
At SynapSeek, he brings proven expertise in scaling complex technologies and building strategic partnerships to make mapping brain circuitry for precision diagnostics a reality.
Strengths
Aryan's ability to quickly immerse himself in any project and gain expertise in the necessary fields has been a key driver of his success. His skill in collaborating with a diverse range of individuals to identify and overcome challenges has been crucial in his previous roles.
Aryan thrives on the challenges presented by new problems, viewing each as a puzzle to be solved. With each puzzle he completes, he acquires new skills that better equip him for future challenges.
Morris Lee, PhD
AI and Computer Vision
Morris Lee is a seasoned AI & Computer Vision Consultant based in the Tampa Bay area, with over 37 years of experience in computer vision, artificial intelligence, and related high-tech fields. He holds over 66 patents from 29 years in Engineering R&D at Nielsen, and 5 degrees: Ph.D. Applied Math, S.M. Applied Math (Harvard University), M.S. Physics, M.S. Math, B.S. Math (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute).
He is passionate about helping companies leverage the latest advancements in AI and computer vision to improve their businesses, advising on AI applications, sharing insights on the latest trends, and identifying opportunities to incorporate AI into business operations. Morris is also a Technology Advisor at the genetics startup Golden Thread Technology and the founder of AI News Clips.
Strengths
- Expertise in AI and Computer Vision: deep knowledge and experience that makes him a valuable advisor for companies looking to incorporate these technologies.
- Innovative Mindset: with over 66 patents, a demonstrated ability to innovate and develop cutting-edge solutions.
- Consulting Services: a wide range of services including AI applications, trend insights, and identifying opportunities to incorporate AI into businesses.
Dr. David Heller
DVM MS DACVIM (Oncology)
David obtained his DVM in 2002, completed a 1-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a 3-year combined residency and masters program at the University of Illinois. He is board certified in Medical Oncology through the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
David is currently the section head of Medical Oncology at Rise Pet Health, a privately owned specialty and emergency veterinary hospital in Laguna Hills, CA, and recently accepted the role of Medical Director, managing 15+ doctors across multiple specialties.
Strengths
Highly efficient and able to manage a large caseload, David is passionate about his field with a solid understanding of molecular and cell biology. With over 20 years in practice as a cancer specialist, he has a knack for managing complex medical cases with multiple co-morbidities. His communication style focuses on empathy and compassion as he helps pet owners understand their companions' cancer diagnosis.