BME Leadership Seminar: “Catalyzing BME Innovation in the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact”

Details

Robert E. Guldberg, Ph.D.
Robert and Leona DeArmond Executive Director
Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact
Director, Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance at Oregon
Professor, Department of Bioengineering
Vice President, University of Oregon

Abstract: The Knight Campus is a $1B+ initiative at the University of Oregon with the mission to accelerate the translation of research discoveries into impact with an initial focus on biomedical science and technology. Strategies to catalyze innovation include next generation academic programs that provide science communications and entrepreneurship training, embedded incubator spaces for start-up companies, formation of strategic partnerships, tenure and promotion policies that reward translation activities, and a continuum of investment and mentorship support opportunities. This presentation will highlight outcomes from these initiatives, including examples of startup companies emerging from the Knight Campus as well as clinical translation studies that integrate advancements in immune biology, mechanobiology, machine learning, and musculoskeletal regenerative medicine.

Bio: Robert Guldberg is Executive Director of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact and Vice President of the University of Oregon. A serial entrepreneur and bioengineer, Guldberg’s research is focused on musculoskeletal mechanobiology, human performance, regenerative medicine, and orthopaedic medical devices. His work has resulted in 280+ publications and six start-up companies. Dr. Guldberg is past Chair of the Americas Chapter of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) and is a founding member of the Leadership Council of the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, a $220 million initiative to promote peak performance through scientific discovery and innovation. In 2024, he served as conference chair for the inaugural Global Sport Universities Network (GSUN) summit. Dr. Guldberg is an elected fellow of TERMIS, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS), and the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).