Chief Innovation Officer, VCOM Medical School

Ph. D., Bioengineering, 2003

What role do you play in the entrepreneurial ecosystem?

My role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem has been as a builder and innovator - to be the person with the machete, carving the first path through the jungle. 

In practical terms, this has meant developing solutions to important problems (e.g., in cancer and women's health), then being a communicator and leader to engage others in enacting those solutions, all for the purpose of meaningful impact.

What are some of your best memories of your time at Clemson?

A memorable PhD graduation ceremony in Littlejohn attended by family and friends from Canada.

Fun times in Clemson and on road trips with fellow Bioengineering graduate students.

Crack of dawn workouts at Fike that forged a lifetime friendship.

Speaking at (University) President Barker's inauguration when I was President of the Graduate Student Body.  

What were the key inflection points in your career after you left Clemson?

When notable licenses were signed or (others') startups founded through my work as commercialization officer at CURF.

Kiyatec growth and maturation milestones over many years that ultimately have culminated in helping brain cancer patients, with other cancer types on deck.

With my wife Theresa, co-inventing the smart earrings on which Incora Health was founded, towards enabling women to understand their unique fertility, energy levels, and hormonal changes.

Key wins as a founder/leader in city and statewide life science ecosystem organizations including NEXT (now NextGen), SCMedTech and later, SCBIO.

Very recently, starting my new position as Chief Innovation Officer of the VCOM Medical School! with the opportunity to impact the school and its students, along with the future patients and communities they will serve.

What are your personal and professional dreams?

Personally, with a firm commitment to truth, to live my faith and be a great husband and father; and to be an engaged, contributing member of vibrant communities.

Professionally, to improve people's lives and health by creating and implementing effective solutions to meaningful problems.

What would you recommend students do to maximize their remaining time at Clemson?

Know thyself (great advice for 2,500 years and counting) - specifically your values and what you are passionate about.

Create a plan to acquire knowledge about and invest in experiences tied to your values and passions and update the plan periodically.

Carry out the plan, which will intrinsically benefit you (most important) and will also positively differentiate you as you pursue future opportunities.

What else should we know about you?

I'm currently very excited about emerging science demonstrating the effect of nutrition and diet on disease mitigation and, negatively, on disease initiation and progression. We can impact people's health in ways not previously imagined, with thoughtful and prudent changes to what they eat. The science is actionable, with huge potential for good.