An Agile, Cross-Discipline Model for Developing Bio-Enterprise Professionals

Authors

  • Moira A. Gunn University of San Francisco, School of Management, Founder and Director, Business of Biotechnology Program; Producer and Host, BioTech Nation
  • Jennifer Dever is Founder and Director, Professional Science Masters in Biotechnology Program, Associate Professor, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, University of San Francisco
  • Christina Tzagarakis-Foster is Associate Director, Professional Science Masters in Biotechnology Program, Associate Professor, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, University of San Francisco
  • Paul Lorton, Jr. Professor, Business Analytics and Information Systems, School of Management, University of San Francisco
  • Kathleen Kane Professor, Focus on Leadership, Developing Leaders and Team Building, School of Management, University of San Francisco
  • Nola Masterson Founder and Managing Director, Science Futures Management Company, LLC, Adjunct Professor, Business of Biotechnology Program, School of Management, University of San Francisco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5912/jcb630

Keywords:

industry-relevant education, professional skills development, Bio-Enterprise Innovation Expertise Model, bioentrepreneurship education, Business of Biotechnology Program

Abstract

In meeting bio-enterprise needs, university education often revolves around introducing students in the sciences to business, managerial and other professional expertise. This paper introduces the Bio-Enterprise Innovation Expertise Model, an alternative driver for bio-enterprise-relevant education that includes science-focused students, but also draws students from non-scientific fields, which are essential to the success of any bio-enterprise. Students are grounded in the global biotechnology industry and the dynamic of expertise required throughout the innovation process – from science to product. Against a backdrop of current approaches, the experience of the Business of Biotechnology (BoB) Program at the University of San Francisco (USF) is described. It utilizes the model to cohesively integrate multiple degree programs (business, law, information systems and biotechnology.) With a complement of three lecture courses and four study tours to differing global bioclusters, 95 graduate students from four degree programs undertook 170 BoB courses over five semesters. In terms of extensibility, previously unpublished Council of Graduate Schools research data is presented that shows master's focused institutions out-performing doctoral institutions at the master's level, establishing relevance of the model to all universities. The experience further demonstrates how such programs can evolve incrementally with strategic use of the model, opening numerous options for implementation, and increasing the potential to better serve bio-enterprise. 

Author Biographies

Moira A. Gunn, University of San Francisco, School of Management, Founder and Director, Business of Biotechnology Program; Producer and Host, BioTech Nation

founded and directs the Business of Biotechnology program in the School of Management at the University of San Francisco, where she is an assistant professor. A former NASA scientist and engineer, she is producer and host of Tech Nation and its regular segment BioTech Nation, which air on the National Public Radio 24-hour Program Stream, among other venues. Dr. Gunn holds a patent in nutrition research measurement.

Jennifer Dever, is Founder and Director, Professional Science Masters in Biotechnology Program, Associate Professor, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, University of San Francisco

is Founder and Director, Professional Science Masters in Biotechnology Program, Associate Professor, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, University of San Francisco

Christina Tzagarakis-Foster, is Associate Director, Professional Science Masters in Biotechnology Program, Associate Professor, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, University of San Francisco

is Associate Director, Professional Science Masters in Biotechnology Program, Associate Professor, Biology, College of Arts & Sciences, University of San Francisco

Paul Lorton, Jr., Professor, Business Analytics and Information Systems, School of Management, University of San Francisco

is Professor, Business Analytics and Information Systems, School of Management, University of San Francisco

Kathleen Kane, Professor, Focus on Leadership, Developing Leaders and Team Building, School of Management, University of San Francisco

is Professor, Focus on Leadership, Developing Leaders and Team Building, School of Management, University of San Francisco

Nola Masterson, Founder and Managing Director, Science Futures Management Company, LLC, Adjunct Professor, Business of Biotechnology Program, School of Management, University of San Francisco

is Founder and Managing Director, Science Futures Management Company, LLC, Adjunct Professor, Business of Biotechnology Program, School of Management, University of San Francisco

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Published

2013-10-03

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 4 (2013)

Section

From the Classroom