01
Many people have a hard time understanding what bioscience is.
How would you define it?
Well, in its simplest definition, bioscience is manipulating an organic compound to achieve industrial health. Unfortunately, so many people only think of stem cells and other controversial research when they hear the word “bioscience.” But the kinds of things we’re working on in Kansas are much less contentious.

02
How would the growth of biosciences in Kansas affect the people
who live here?
It’s almost impossible to imagine what a positive impact a robust bioscience industry could have on the future health of Kansans. From an economic standpoint, we’re obviously looking at more jobs, higher wages, the expansion of existing companies and the start-up of new businesses. But more importantly, I think we’re going to see extraordinary outcomes in medical research that will lead to new drug therapies, which will affect thousands of Kansans.

03
Many other regions of the country have been investing in the biosciences for years.
How does Kansas catch up?
I think the most critical thing is selectivity. We need to invest our resources in the bioscience areas where Kansas is strong, like drug discovery, animal health and biofuels. There are many areas where we are already excelling and we need to build on those strengths.

04
At the Agricultural Bioscience Entrepreneurship Forum earlier this year, you expressed concern that there has been an erosion of biosciences research in Kansas over the last two years. What did you mean by that?
I think I was concerned because our ranking as a bioscience state is going down. In the latest National Science Foundation rankings, Kansas had dropped from 39th to 43rd when it comes to attracting federal funding for the biosciences. I feel like we’re missing out on a lot of the growth that is occurring in the bioscience sector, and we’re trying to address that at the KBA.

05
You were president of a technology development organization in Illinois and worked as a political aide before accepting the position at the Bioscience Authority. Why did the opportunity in Kansas interest you?
To me, the KBA had a great multi-pronged approach in place to foster the growth of biosciences in Kansas, so that was critical. But I was also impressed with the incredible public and private enthusiasm for the biosciences in the state.

06
KU Medical Center recently unveiled a 10-year, $800 million blueprint to expand life science research at KUMC and in the region. What was your reaction to the plan and how does it fit in with what KBA is doing?
Let’s say KBA is an investor and we want to see a well-thought-out business plan for expanding biosciences in the region before moving forward. What KU Medical Center has done is develop this incredible business plan with specific actions, funding and outcomes. I think it’s a plan the entire region can embrace. What we’re doing at KBA — developing a research structure in Kansas and encouraging new researchers through our Rising Star initiative — totally fits into the KU Medical Center plan.

07
What or who inspires you?
I’m really inspired by people like KU Cancer Center Director Roy Jensen. He is an incredible visionary, a great researcher and manager, and he’s doing such astonishing things over there. I’m also inspired by entrepreneurs. They are such bold risk-takers and they really stick their necks out every day to try to bring something new to the market.

08
What do you do to relax and get away from it all?
Well, I have an unusual hobby. I love to collect and restore old wooden boats. I can’t even remember how I got into it, but I’ve been doing it for years and it’s a big passion of mine. I’m also a big gardening enthusiast. And I love to run.

09
What do you like about living and working in Kansas?
I come from Chicago, so needless to say, it’s a thrill to be able to go pretty much any direction and drive 25 miles in 25 minutes. I can’t get over that. I also really enjoy being able to live in a metropolitan area, but not be next to a big high-rise. I also love the people in Kansas.

10
Ten years from now, what would you like to be most proud of when it comes to the Kansas Bioscience Authority?
I think what’s exciting about what we’re doing at KBA is serving as this catalyst to bring bioscience research and industry together. I would like to see investment in bioscience research and development triple in Kansas over the next 10 years. I’d like to look back and see that $100 million dollars had been put into bioscience start-up companies. I truly believe if we work together and aggressively pursue these goals, it’s going to pay off not just for the KBA, but for all of Kansas. +