Message from the CEO 
A few years ago as Chair of Medicine, I had an experience that caused me to rethink what constitutes an academic career. I questioned a bright, young junior scientist in the Heart Research and Followup Program, Jean Philippe Couderc, about his career aspirations, and he gave an atypical response. Rather than devote his career to writing and publishing scientific research papers, Jean Philippe told me that he was interested in founding a company.
A decade ago, this response would have been met with skepticism at most U.S. universities. The concern was that entrepreneurial activities would distract faculty from academic pursuits, compromising both productivity and the integrity of university research. Today, most major research universities--including the University of Rochester--have begun to change that view. Many are contributing substantial resources for concept and prototype development, business plan assistance, support staff and other resources to help faculty launch start-ups or license technology.
Meanwhile, studies have demonstrated that academic productivity has not suffered as commercialization activities have grown on university campuses. in fact, faculty entrepreneurs are often the most highly funded and prolific publishers.
Universitiies and their faculties must adopt a broader definition of what constitutes an academic career--and develop ways to nurture faculty who aspire to be both entrepreneurs and academicians. If we fail to do this, we risk losing some of our most inspired and motivated scientists and teachers.
As for Jean Philippe, his new company, iCardiac Technologies, is built around the software he developed here at the Medical Center that provides more precise and consistent cardiac safety profiles of in-development and on-market drugs. He's realizing his ambition of establishing a company--and he remains an active and contributing member of the URMC faculty.
Bradford C. Berk, M.D., Ph.D.
