Opportunities and Challenges: Research and Innovation in the Life Sciences

Abstract

Abstract In this chapter, guest author Dr. Randy Burd discusses the conditions that both promote and hinder innovation in the life sciences. Burd presents his personal observations of how the traditional academic model fails to fully encourage academic innovation, and in doing so illuminates the cultural gap between the academy and industry. He follows this constructive critique of the current system with the suggestion that social entrepreneurship represents a productive middle ground where both traditional bench science flourishes and academic innovation is celebrated.