Speaker: Joseph M. DeSimone, Sanjiv Sam Gambhir Professor of Translational Medicine and Chemical Engineering at Stanford University

Title: Convergent Research to Address Societal Needs: Entrepreneurship, People, Innovation, Decision-making and Impact

Group Website

Abstract
This lecture will attempt to demonstrate how people-centric and entrepreneurial principles can be combined to form a foundation for successful careers in the sciences and engineering. The idea for the lecture emerged from my reflections on 30 years of research, teaching, mentorship, and deep entrepreneurial experiences, spanning the gamut of approaches to translation (e.g., academic discovery, invention, conceiving of and leading multi-institutional research centers, building research and business teams, launching and financing start-ups, creation of new business models, and seeing research-based companies go from launch phase through to global scale-up).

Relevant for those who plan to pursue careers in academia and industry alike, a central focus of the lecture will be on managing one’s career as if it were a start-up, emphasizing principles that empower individuals to take more control of their futures: investing in yourself, building professional networks, taking intelligent risks, and making uncertainty and volatility work to one’s advantage.

Bio
Joseph M. DeSimone is the Sanjiv Sam Gambhir Professor of Translational Medicine and Chemical Engineering at Stanford University. He holds appointments in the Departments of Radiology and Chemical Engineering with courtesy appointments in the Department of Chemistry and in Stanford’s Graduate School of Business.

The DeSimone laboratory's research efforts are focused on developing innovative, interdisciplinary solutions to complex problems centered around advanced polymer 3D fabrication methods. In Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, the lab is pursuing new capabilities in digital 3D printing, as well as the synthesis of new polymers for use in advanced additive technologies. In Translational Medicine, research is focused on exploiting 3D digital fabrication tools to engineer new vaccine platforms, enhanced drug delivery approaches, and improved medical devices for numerous conditions, with a current major focus in pediatrics. Complementing these research areas, the DeSimone group has a third focus in Entrepreneurship, Digital Transformation, and Manufacturing.