MSU Research Foundation Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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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-affiliated entrepreneurs with capital, expertise, and one another. We discuss the growing role universities play in early-stage investing—especially in regions underserved by traditional venture capital—and how cross-campus and Big Ten collaboration can help amplify impact. Jon also talks about building trust with advancement teams, cultivating a strong alumni pipeline, and the vision behind the Big Ten Venture Network.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Jon Barada (Vice President, IU Ventures)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

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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 to becoming a mentor-in-residence back in Michigan, where he helped Ripple transition from a homegrown academic tool into a flexible, scalable platform. We discuss the challenges of participant engagement, why trials often struggle to meet recruitment goals, and how Ripple’s AI-powered tools help researchers do more with less. Peter also talks about building the company with support from Michigan’s university and venture capital ecosystems—and why now is a critical moment for clinical research innovation.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Peter Falzon (President and CEO, Ripple Science)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

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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 the creation of the Foundation's venture ecosystem, including its venture creation and investments subsidiaries—Spartan Innovations, Red Cedar Ventures, and Michigan Rise. Jeff offers insights into fostering entrepreneurship, building high-impact teams, and driving innovation across Michigan. This is the first of many conversations with Jeff, setting the stage for exploring the exciting work happening within the MSU ecosystem.

Host: David Washburn
Guest: Jeff Wesley, Executive Director of Ventures, MSU Research Foundation
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

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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 collaboration and growth.
• These parks have evolved from isolated research spaces to vibrant communities with amenities like amphitheaters and retail spaces.
• The AURP focuses on advocacy, knowledge sharing, and best practices for its 250 members, promoting innovation.
• Research parks are typically developed through public-private partnerships and are often located near universities to leverage talent and resources.
• Post-COVID work trends include a shift towards mixed-use innovation buildings and integrated amenities, enhancing research environments.

Jeff explains how research parks foster industry-university partnerships and drive economic development. He shares examples of innovative parks across the country and highlights the various amenities that make these spaces attractive to both startups and established companies.

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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-ion battery safety to large-scale, sustainable energy storage. Tom explains why flow batteries are well suited for the grid, how organic chemistry can reduce reliance on rare earth elements, and how Michigan’s startup ecosystem has supported the company’s growth. He also discusses partnerships with national labs like Argonne and NREL, and what it will take to bring Jolt’s prototype system online by the end of the year.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Dr. Tom Guarr (CTO, Jolt Energy Storage Technologies)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

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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 scalable from the beginning, and what makes it different from other methods being explored. Nick and Johannes also share how the company got started, why they waited to raise venture capital, and the role MSU played in launching the effort.

Host: David Washburn
Guests: Nick Farina (CEO, EeroQ) and Dr. Johannes Pollanen (Cowan Professor of Physics at MSU and Co-founder, EeroQ)
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

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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 existing treatments like CAR-T. We discuss how Indapta’s work could help more patients benefit from cell therapy, what it takes to move from lab research to human trials, and how strong partnerships—including early support from Michigan State University—are fueling the company’s progress.

Host: David Washburn
Guest: Dr. Mark Frohlich, CEO of Indapta Therapeutics
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

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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 combining process-based models with machine learning to improve decision-making in food systems. Bruno shares his thoughts on the Midwest’s innovation ecosystem, what makes East Lansing an underrated tech hub, and why he remains optimistic about the future of climate resilience in agriculture.

Host: David Washburn
Guest: Bruno Basso, Professor at MSU and co-founder of CIBO Technologies
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

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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, and simulation models to capture the complexity of farming across space and time—and how this research evolved into CIBO Technologies, a venture-backed platforming helping businesses quantify the environmental impact of food production. Bruno also discusses the entrepreneurial side of science, what it takes to build a 30-person research team, and how smart agriculture can benefit farmers, businesses, and the planet.

Host: David Washburn
Guest: Bruno Basso, Professor at MSU and co-founder of CIBO Technologies
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

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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 companies worldwide, the company’s evolution amid the AI revolution, and how their work has directly impacted patient lives. Mike also reflects on Michigan’s growing startup ecosystem, the role of early-stage investment, and the collaborative support from both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan in scaling the company.

Host: David Washburn
Guest: Mike Klein, CEO of Genomenon
Producers: Jenna McNamara and Doug Snitgen
Music: "Devil on Your Shoulder" by Will Harrison, licensed via Epidemic Sound

Stay connected with the MSU Research Foundation by following us on LinkedIn or subscribing to our email newsletters.