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The MSU Research Foundation Podcast takes you behind the scenes of research and entrepreneurship within Michigan State University's ecosystem. Discover how ideas create impact, with stories from dedicated researchers, ambitious entrepreneurs, and the innovators shaping Michigan's future. From breakthrough discoveries to startup journeys, explore how the MSU Research Foundation helps fuel innovation and economic growth across the state.
17 Episodes
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Send us a text In this episode, David Washburn talks with Craig Wesley, Executive Director of 20Fathoms in Traverse City, about how northern Michigan is cultivating a vibrant entrepreneurial community and expanding opportunities for early-stage founders across a 10-county region. Craig shares his path from Michigan State University to two decades in Silicon Valley and back to Traverse City, and how that experience shaped his vision for building an environment where innovators can thrive. He ...
Send us a text In this episode, David Washburn talks with Lisa Prasad, Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer at Henry Ford Health, and Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Ventures at the MSU Research Foundation, about how Michigan State University and Henry Ford Health are accelerating healthcare innovation through collaboration and venture investment. Lisa shares how Henry Ford Innovations evolved to translate research and clinical expertise into real-world impact—supporting pilots, st...
Send us a text In this episode, David Washburn interviews Pete Martin, Director of Portfolio Management at the MSU Research Foundation, about the launch of PitchMI—a new statewide startup pitch competition awarding up to $1.25 million in investment. Pete shares his journey back to Michigan after building a tech career across New York, Chicago, Florida, and Austin, and how reconnecting with the state’s entrepreneurial community reshaped his view of Michigan as a hub for innovation. We explore...
Send us a text In this episode, David Washburn interviews Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Ventures at the MSU Research Foundation, to recap a high-impact fourth quarter of venture activity. Jeff shares highlights from 20 new investments and financial transactions completed between April and June 2025, including support for startups tackling everything from microbiome therapeutics to plant health monitoring, as well as portfolio wins like the acquisition of Atlas Space Operations and a majo...
Send us a text In this episode, David Washburn interviews Chad Bassett, Chief Operating Officer of BAMF Health, a precision medicine company transforming how cancer is diagnosed and treated. Based in MSU’s Grand Rapids Innovation Park, BAMF Health combines advanced imaging, targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy, and artificial intelligence to deliver highly personalized care and accelerate clinical trials. Chad shares the company’s origin story, which began with a 40-year vision sketched on a...
Send us a text In this episode, we talk with Jon Barada, vice president of IU Ventures, about how Indiana University is building a thriving startup ecosystem powered by alumni engagement and early-stage venture funding. Like the MSU Research Foundation, IU Ventures supports faculty, student, and alumni-led startups through a mix of philanthropic venture funds, an angel network, and community-building programs. Jon shares how IU Ventures launched its Founders and Funders Network to connect IU...
Send us a text In this episode, we talk with Peter Falzon, president and CEO of Ripple Science, a clinical trials software company that spun out of the University of Michigan and now serves researchers around the world. Ripple’s platform helps academic institutions, healthcare providers, and industry sponsors recruit and retain participants in clinical studies, tackling one of the top reasons clinical trials fail. Peter shares how he went from launching startups in Silicon Valley and Japan t...
Send us a text In this episode, we talk with Dr. Tom Guarr, founder and CTO of Jolt Energy Storage Technologies, a Michigan-based startup developing organic compounds for redox flow batteries. Tom shares his journey from academia to industry—first leaving a tenured faculty role to join Gentex, where he helped develop dimmable windows for the Boeing 787, then returning to research at the MSU Bioeconomy Institute to pursue electrochemical innovation. We explore how Jolt pivoted from lithium-io...
Send us a text In this episode, we talk with Nick Farina and Dr. Johannes Pollanen of EeroQ, a quantum computing startup with roots at Michigan State University. Johannes is a physics professor at MSU and co-founder of the company, while Nick serves as EeroQ’s CEO. Together, they’re working on a unique approach to quantum computing that uses electrons floating on helium and connects with today’s chip-making technology. We dive into how their system works, why they focused on making it scalab...
Send us a text In this episode, we talk with Dr. Mark Frohlich, CEO of Indapta Therapeutics, a biotech company working to make cancer treatment safer, more effective, and more accessible. Indapta is developing natural killer (NK) cell therapies—an emerging form of immunotherapy that uses the body’s own immune system to fight disease. Mark shares his path from clinical oncology to biotech leadership and explains why NK cells are generating excitement as a next-generation alternative to existi...
Send us a text In part two of our conversation with Bruno Basso, professor at Michigan State University and co-founder of CIBO Technologies, we explore what it takes to scale scientific innovation into a venture-backed company. Bruno discusses his role as Chief Scientist, pitching to investors like Al Gore, and the importance of grounding technology in rigorous, transparent science. We also dive into the intersection of AI and agriculture, the challenges of sparse data, and how CIBO is combi...
Send us a text In part one of this two-part episode, we talk with Bruno Basso, professor at Michigan State University and co-founder of CIBO Technologies, a company using advanced modeling to help farmers make smarter decisions that improve both productivity and environmental outcomes. Bruno shares his journey from Naples, Italy to MSU, where he helped pioneer crop modeling techniques that have shaped modern agricultural research. We explore how Bruno's lab integrates remote sensing, drones, ...
Send us a text In this episode, we talk with Mike Klein, CEO of Genomenon, a genomics intelligence company helping researchers and clinicians make sense of vast amounts of genetic data. Mike shares his journey from electrical engineering to leading a genomics startup, discussing how Genomenon’s AI-driven platform, Mastermind, is accelerating precision medicine by making genomic information actionable. We explore how Genomenon’s technology is used by healthcare providers and pharmaceutical com...
Send us a text In this episode we talk with James Klausner, professor of mechanical engineering at Michigan State University and co-founder of Redoxblox, a startup developing thermochemical energy storage solutions. James shares his journey from academic research to entrepreneurship, discussing how his work in energy storage led to the founding of Redoxblox and its mission to decarbonize industrial heat. They explore the challenges of commercializing university research, the role of venture c...
Send us a text In this episode we talk with Jason Miller, founder and CEO of BitLyft, a cybersecurity company based in St. John’s, Michigan. Jason shares his entrepreneurial journey, from starting a company in Tampa, Florida, to returning to Michigan to build BitLyft, which specializes in cybersecurity solutions for mid-market organizations. They discuss BitLyft’s evolution from co-managed SIM services to its flagship TrueMDR platform, emphasizing the critical role of detection and automated ...
Send us a text In this episode, David Washburn introduces Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Ventures at the MSU Research Foundation. Jeff shares his journey from growing up in Chesney, Michigan, to leading transformative ventures at the Foundation. With a rich background in accounting, leadership, and entrepreneurial innovation, Jeff discusses his roles at Deloitte, a dental distribution company, and Two Men and a Truck before joining the MSU Research Foundation. Together, they delve into th...
Send us a text PILOT 1: In this episode of "Started @ State," Dave interviews Jeff Smith, Director of Research Parks at the MSU Research Foundation and board member of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP). Jeff provides a deep dive into the world of university research parks, their evolution, and their impact on innovation and economic development. Key Takeaways: Research parks are hubs for startups, innovative companies, and university-related activities, fostering co...
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