In honor of Disability Pride Month, I'd like to talk about a simple image that's quietly making a big difference around the globe. You might've seen it, a sunflower printed on a lanyard or pinned to someone's jacket, but maybe you weren't exactly sure what it meant. Well, that little sunflower is a lifeline, a subtle sign helping millions of people with invisible disabilities feel less alone, better understood, and genuinely welcome.

Paul White, who’s joining me today, is the CEO and co-founder of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. Back in 2016, Paul set out to change how we see disability, not just the ones that are obvious, but the ones you can't always see at first glance. Under his guidance, the Sunflower initiative has reached more than 40,000 locations in 53 countries, giving people space to simply exist without constantly needing to explain or justify themselves.

In our chat today, Paul opens up about how the Sunflower started as a small airport project and grew into a worldwide movement, and he shares why places like universities and tech transfer offices have such an important role in creating environments where everyone truly feels they belong.

In This Episode:

[02:15] The Hidden Disability Sunflower was created in 2016. It was first used at the Gatwick Airport to help identify people with non-visible disabilities.

[04:07] The sunflower was used because they wanted to create a symbol around positivity, happiness, strength, and confidence.

[05:08] Disability is about barriers, and the sunflower is about what you can do.

[06:23] A hidden disability is any disability that isn't visible. It can range from hearing loss to any type of chronic condition. Environments such as airports can also make people feel disabled.

[09:46] Wearing the sunflower enabled a man with dementia to ride the bus and go to the sports club without his wife.

[10:40] The sunflower program also offers training and advocates for rights within the community.

[14:24] Sunflower has a membership platform, and the first thing you'll see is the training. There are also testimonials about how the sunflower has impacted people.

[15:35] The hidden disability sunflower means that a wearer has a non-visible disability. You don't need to know or ask what that person's condition is, just give extra time, patience and understanding.

[18:43] One in seven people have some form of disability. It should be up to an organization to allow a space for this person to access this area.

[22:27] Universities are also using the sunflower. It helps spark the conversation and normalize disability.

[23:42] The Scouts have also just introduced their first sunflower badge.

[25:12] How the sunflower is being used as a symbol to help create independence in the Middle East. They have Global Partners all across the globe.

[28:28] Paul's message would be for businesses and organizations to create an environment where people feel comfortable disclosing that they may have a non-visible disability.

[29:45] Organizations could have newsletters, representation, or employ more disabled people.

Resources:

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower - Paul White

Paul White - LinkedIn

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower - Instagram

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower - Facebook

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower - X

Have you ever tried to picture the natural world without relying on sight? It’s a wild thought, but for Dr. Geerat J. Vermeij, it’s just how he experiences life. Blind since the age of three, Dr. Vermeij built an extraordinary career as an evolutionary biologist. He’s a MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, a celebrated author, and Professor Emeritus of Earth and Planetary Sciences at UC Davis.

In our conversation, Dr. Vermeij walks us through the hidden stories that mollusk shells can tell us about evolution. Think underwater battles, survival strategies, and long-forgotten extinction events. He also introduces a powerful idea (no pun intended): that it’s not just energy that drives evolution, it's power. He digs into this more deeply in his book The Evolution of Power, which turns traditional theories on their head in the best possible way.

But science is just part of the story. Dr. Vermeij also talks about what it’s been like to build a life in academia without sight including challenges, but also the deep gratitude he has for the mentors and collaborators who helped him thrive. He doesn’t sugarcoat it, but there’s something incredibly moving about the way he frames inclusion not as charity, but as essential to discovery.

This episode kicks off our special series for Disability Pride Month, where we spotlight brilliant thinkers who expand how we see the world and what’s possible within it. Dr. Vermeij’s life reminds us that resilience, curiosity, and community can break barriers and reshape the story of science itself.

In This Episode:

[02:32] Dr. Vermeij talks about some of the things that he is the most proud of including his early insights including that shells are defenses against predators.

[03:12] Shells get damaged but not necessarily lethally damaged. Most of his work has been a variation of this theme.

[04:04] These adaptations are relatively recent in geological time. This means that the evolution between predator and prey has experienced spectacular adaptations.

[05:16] He spent a lot of time studying in Guam, Panama, and Jamaica. Also New Guinea, Australia, and many more Islands. Every biologist should visit the tropics.

[07:08] His main finding was to connect geological history with modern adaptation. He's also expanded to other organisms besides mollusks.

[08:17] He's working on another book about what it's like to be a scientist. He and a colleague are also working on the evolution of semi-aquatic mammals.

[09:39] Trying to understand evolutionary transitions and taking fossils into account is part of a larger project.

[10:17] We should be diverse in the ways that we approach problems.

[11:01] Unanswered questions in biology today including questions about natural selection.

[12:40] What are the effects of climate change? A place to look are the changes in the effects of the geological records.

[13:15] Dr. Vermeij talks about his book, The Evolution of Power. Energy doesn't do anything for you unless you use it.

[16:39] How collecting shells as a boy shaped his love for the sciences. He's always had an interest in nature and the natural sciences.

[20:13] We learn about his experience being a blind scientist. According to Dr. Vermeij, he has faced relatively few barriers. He had highly supportive potential mentors.

[22:38] He's adapted well to his work, because he's had extremely amazing and helpful assistants.

[24:03] All of his role models have been sighted, and have gone out of their way to help someone who was really interested in their work.

[27:15] He's always had a successful career from the beginning.

[28:32] Advice includes really liking what you're doing and working very hard. Have a strong curiosity about the world and the sense of what is important and what is not important.

[29:39] For blind people, having readers can get you through materials so much faster than the computer. This is also how Dr. Vermeij met his wife.

[31:56] He's had a long time view that we should pay less attention to people's identities and more to what they can actually do.

[33:42] He's the most proud of his journey, and how he recognized something interesting and pursued knowledge. He's all about asking scientific questions.

Resources:

Dr. Geerat J. Vermeij - UC Davis

The Evolution of Power: A New Understanding of the History of Life

MacArthur Fellows

What if one of the most important medical breakthroughs of the 20th century began with a dead cow and a desperate young farmer? That’s exactly what happened in 1933, when 21-year-old Ed Carlson arrived in Madison, Wisconsin, carrying a bucket of blood and a mystery that would eventually lead to the discovery of warfarin. This unlikely starting point sparked years of relentless research by biochemist Karl Paul Link and his team, fueled by scientific curiosity, institutional support, and an unshakable belief in the power of perseverance.

As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), we’re shining a light on the remarkable intersection of science, history, and Wisconsin legacy that made this discovery possible. Our guest is acclaimed journalist and author Doug Moe, whose storytelling career spans four decades and includes thousands of columns and multiple award-winning biographies. His latest work, Saving Hearts and Killing Rats: Karl Paul Link and the Discovery of Warfarin, brings this fascinating journey to life and was recently honored as the “Wisconsin Book of the Month” by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

In our conversation, Doug shares how he was first approached to tell this story, why it took him years to finally dive in, and what he uncovered in Link’s letters, archives, and personal history. We’ll hear about the personalities, the persistence, and the politics that surrounded the development of warfarin and explore why the impact of WARF and university-driven innovation still resonates so powerfully a hundred years later.

In This Episode:

[01:59] Tom Link, the son of Carl Paul Link, brought Doug a stack of articles and papers about his dad. This was a decade ago.

[03:24] Doug knew Carl Paul Link was somebody who needed a biography written. This is the perfect time to highlight innovation and university research and tech transfer.

[04:40] Link died in 1978, but the University of Wisconsin had an amazing archive of his work. Link was an avid letter writer. He would even put the time of his correspondence on his letters and it was often 2:30 in the morning.

[06:09] The incoming correspondence was also a treasure trove.

[07:24] Doug walks us through the story of the origin of warfarin, beginning with a dead cow and a bucket of blood.

[09:02] There was a connection between sweet clover hay and cow's dying because their blood couldn't clot.

[10:15] Scientists spent six years trying to figure out why this was. They eventually discovered a hemorrhagic agent that they were able to reproduce synthetically.

[11:27] They faced many hurdles including how long it took to have success. Perseverance is at the top of the success list.

[13:10] People doubted Link's story, but Ed Carlson was real.

[15:14] Warfarin is an anticoagulant, but it can also be used as a rat poison.

[17:10] How warfarin got its name.

[19:06] The tipping point for warfarin becoming commonly accepted was when President Eisenhower had a heart attack in 1955.

[20:34] Link had a big personality. He was likely manic depressive or bipolar. He was a complex individual. He was also a fancy dresser.

[22:52] Link was also into activism on campus.

[25:00] He also had controversies.

[28:44] We learn about Link's blowout with Harry Steenbock.

[29:25] WARF's involvement in warfarin becoming available to the public. WARF helped with the patent and donated money to the University of Wisconsin.

[31:37] WARF's 100th anniversary, and the power of university tech transfer and public research foundations.

[32:29] Doug is glad that his book highlights the importance of innovation and tech transfer.

[34:29] What Doug would like readers to take from the book.

Resources:

Saving Hearts and Killing Rats: Karl Paul Link and the Discovery of Warfarin

Doug Moe

Doug Moe - LinkedIn

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation:WARF

Karl Paul Link

What happens when climate innovation isn’t just a buzzword but a blueprint for real change? In this episode, we explore how climate-focused technologies are being developed, commercialized, and scaled in ways that go far beyond traditional models.

My guest, Josh Dorfman, brings a rare mix of experience in both business and policy, with a track record of building ventures that reduce emissions while delivering everyday value. Josh is the co-founder and CEO of Plantd, a company creating carbon-negative building materials that was recently named one of the world’s most innovative by Fast Company.

He also launched The Lazy Environmentalist, a media brand that made sustainability more accessible, and now runs Supercool, a platform spotlighting climate tech with real-world impact. With past work ranging from startups to established brands like Brita, Josh offers a grounded, actionable look at how innovation, sustainability, and commercialization intersect and what that means for tech transfer offices and startups who want to make a difference.

In This Episode:

[02:17] Thinking about climate goes back to being an English teacher in China in the 1990s. He saw the future of a billion cars in China and never shook the thought.

[04:36] He was involved in tech in the States, but wanted to do something about climate. He started a sustainable furniture company in 2004. This eventually led to where he is now.

[05:12] Plantd is working on carbon negative construction materials made out of grass and resin.

[06:23] They talked to green builders, but the scale wasn't there. They decided to reach out to the largest builders in the market.

[07:32] They opened a path to go to market with D.R. Horton, one of the biggest builders in the country.

[10:01] First steps for building sustainability into your tech transfer strategy include being integrated in the tech ecosystem that many cities are building around the country.

[11:07] Building connectivity and getting integrated in the ecosystem is paramount.

[12:05] Sustainability is built into the product. Go fast but don't over commit to the wrong path.

[13:42] Supercool focuses on technologies that reduce emissions and improve everyday life.

[14:09] Technologies include WasteLess, a food waste prevention company. Another one includes Upway which is an infrastructure for getting pre-owned bikes. It creates a built-in market for e bikes.

[18:06] When large brands commit, they're really committed.

[19:40] Working with Brita helped eliminate some disposable water bottles.

[20:46] How policy shapes the space between innovation and government.

[23:05] The global march towards the low carbon future is inevitable.

[24:20] This is a huge time for cultivating environmentally friendly technology and entrepreneurship.

[26:16] Advice includes lean into sustainability strategically just like bringing any other product to market.

[27:50] Focus on the outcomes and the results for the business that your product will enable. Use sustainability as a differentiator.

[28:26] Josh is excited about the concept of urban mining.

[29:11] In the west, we have all the stuff that contains all these materials.

[31:31] Focus on solutions.

[32:44] Josh shares his hope for the future. Sustainability is an opportunity for all ages.

Resources:

Plantd

Josh Dorman - LinkedIn

Supercool

Lazy Environmentalist

WasteLess Solutions

Upway

What if universities had a smarter way to surface the innovation already happening across their campuses? In this episode, I’m joined by Steven Lehmann, Managing Director of Stargaze at Portal Innovations, and Ashish Uppala, Head of Engineering and Product for Stargaze.

Steven brings over a decade of experience in venture building and university innovation ecosystems, including leading the University of Chicago’s $20 million pre-seed fund and authoring the Innovation Ecology Substack. Ashish, a former CTO of scite.ai and an expert in AI and machine learning, combines deep technical knowledge with a passion for mapping biotech innovation.

Together, they share how Stargaze is helping universities navigate today’s funding challenges by identifying hidden opportunities in their research ecosystems. From integrating complex data sources to predicting commercialization potential, Stargaze is transforming how institutions connect innovation with impact.

In This Episode:

[01:50] Portal has been around for about 5 years. The goal has been to build infrastructure that's necessary to commercialize innovation in areas that are over-scienced but underfunded or don't have the resources to take the innovations to market.

[02:51] They've been building the infrastructure to get academic ideas for a Series A investment.

[03:06] They needed to find the scientist and the ideas to plug into their infrastructure. Stargaze is like Google Maps for innovation.

[04:12] Stargaze builds rich maps of scientific ecosystems. They use AI, network science, and reason models.

[06:33] Stargaze helps keep track of all the possibilities and move from reactive to proactive.

[08:24] They are equipping innovators and scouts with understanding the commercial potential of research.

[09:07] They can build a picture to understand the potential landscape.

[11:41] We talk about who's working on the project.

[13:18] The core of Stargaze is organizing information around innovation so that they can feed it into different matching and scoring algorithms.

[15:17] Because of the information they have, they find investors that are interested in whatever the researcher may be working on.

[16:55] How Innovation biomarkers can be helpful in an emerging system.

[18:47] Finding the signals of who can work together in a meaningful way toward a particular problem.

[21:12] We talk about privacy and security. Data and license is scoped to that person or project.

[25:26] The recent rate of innovation has been crazy.

[27:54] Thinking about synergies and risk to the core business.

[29:18] How Tech Transfer professionals can implement Stargaze by signing up to the Stargaze network.

[31:48] It's very user friendly.

Resources:

Steve Lehmann - Portal Innovations

Steven Lehmann - LinkedIn

Ashish Uppala

Ashish Uppala - Portal Innovations

Ashish Uppala - LinkedIn

Stargaze Network

OpenAlex

The world of software innovation is evolving faster than ever, and Tech Transfer professionals are being asked to make critical decisions around open source, copyright, patents, and AI. In this episode, we take a deep dive into this complex landscape with Dan Dardani, Director of Physical Sciences and Digital Innovations Licensing and Corporate Alliances at Duke University. Dan brings over two decades of experience to the conversation, including nearly 20 years at MIT and his long standing leadership in AUTM’s Software Course Committee.

Dan shares his practical insights into how Tech Transfer offices can navigate the tricky decision between copyright and patenting software, how to handle open-source licensing in research environments, and what to consider when commercializing digital tools. He also offers guidance on machine learning and artificial intelligence, addressing real-world questions around IP ownership, data licensing, and the legal gray areas created by emerging technologies.

Whether you’re just starting to build policies for software disclosures and AI-related inventions, or you’re looking to refine your office’s strategy, Dan’s perspective is both grounded and forward-thinking. His advice, drawn from decades of hands-on experience, will help you understand not just what’s changing in the digital IP world, but how to keep up and lead through it.

In This Episode:

[01:57] Patents and copyrights aren't mutually exclusive. They protect different aspects of the software. Software comes with copyright right out of the box.

[02:44] Patents are more difficult and more expensive to obtain. Courts have recently made it more difficult, but it still can be done.

[03:23] When deciding between copyright or patent, ask what the innovation is. Is it a transformative leap?

[04:57] You need to tell a compelling story and emphasize the transformative ability of your software.

[05:53] The last thing to consider is if there's a commercialization strategy.

[06:48] Examples of software innovations that have met the criteria for patentability. Diamond v. Diehr in the 1980s. Transformative is a key concept in IP thinking.

[08:03] We have to be more careful with applying for algorithms now.

[09:11] Workhorse apps and code may be more suited for copyright protection than patents.

[10:22] Copyright is the first line measure for protecting innovation.

[10:46] Open-source is vital to software innovation. Risks dealing with open source innovations include third-party code issues, sponsorship issues and open source compliance issues.

[11:45] It's important to not commit copyright infringement by releasing someone else's code.

[13:34] Balancing a researcher's desire to use open source licenses and the universities need to protect IP and pursue commercialization. Education and early communication.

[15:49] There are multiple ways to license, including dual licensing strategies.

[16:14] An example of FFTW using a hybrid licensing model.

[18:13] Releasing code as part of the peer review process.

[21:55] Focusing on machine learning and AI.

[22:07] Addressing IP ownership when working with these technologies. Understanding the difference between being a data producer and a data user.

[23:42] It's crucial to understand the layers and document the data sources.

[24:24] Navigating inventorship when AI is involved. A human needs to be named the inventor.

[26:01] There's going to be an evolution of the laws regarding patents and AI. The laws are going to need to adapt to address inventorship and ownership.

[28:26] Advice for TTOs to mitigate risk that might infringe on existing IP. It gets complicated, and the best advice is to start with a clean house.

[31:13] Distinguishing between the types of data used for licensing.

[33:49] Advice for tech transfer offices that are just beginning to think about these issues and develop policies around proper software hygiene and AI related inventions.

Resources:

Daniel Dardani - Duke University

Daniel Dardani - LinkedIn

Innovation Without Borders: Insights from the ISTA Forum 2024

Diamond v. Diehr

FFTW

AI is no longer just a concept in IP. It’s part of how teams work, make decisions and create value. In this episode I talk to Dr. Marcia Chang, VP of IP Operations and Client Success at Tradespace. Dr. Chang has over 20 years of experience in IP strategy, operations and commercialization and has a unique blend of engineering and legal expertise.

She has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University and a J.D. from Santa Clara University she’s held leadership roles at companies like Applied Materials, Metawave Corporation and Hewlett Packard Enterprise. She was also recognized as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders in Tech Law. At Tradespace she’s now at the forefront of using AI driven approaches to transform how IP is managed and commercialized.

Dr. Chang explains how Tradespace is helping universities and companies streamline the entire IP lifecycle. By using AI to simplify invention disclosures, evaluate technical content and identify commercial opportunities the platform gives IP teams clearer insights and greater strategic impact. For Tech Transfer offices with limited resources and growing demands Tradespace is a practical way to prioritise what matters and move more technologies to real-world application.

We discuss adapting to new technology with a curiosity and willingness to learn. Along with practical tips for building smarter, more connected systems. Dr. Chang also reflects on how AI went from being a tool she was sceptical of to one she now advocates for.

In This Episode:

[01:41] Dr. Chang gives us an overview of Tradespace. Its mission is to empower IP teams to focus on strategy and unlock the value of their portfolios.

[02:29] The name Tradespace comes from mapping choices onto a multi-dimensional trade space. Teams can weigh alternatives, trade-offs, and find the optimal path.

[03:15] It's their goal to help teams manage IP better and even make IP better.

[04:02] Tactically Tradespace can help IP teams translate technical concepts in the business concepts. Strategically they focus on communicating more value.

[05:54] They help teams sift through the technical information in a short amount of time.

[06:08] Key tools that Tradespace offers. They have tools that help with invention disclosure and use AI to make the submission process easier.

[08:34] They have the ability to streamline the entire IP process in a single end-to-end platform.

[09:27] The data is also very secure.

[10:31] How they help bring innovations to market. They provide AI-assisted commercialization with automatic matching of potential partners along with generating text summaries.

[11:57] They've helped customers identify dormant IP assets and uncovered use cases that hadn't been thought of before.

[14:22] We talk about the specific ways that AI is reshaping the field of IP management. This includes better portfolio management and faster decision making.

[18:22] Getting comfortable with AI begins with education.

[20:55] Challenges in tech transfer today include budget restraints and having to do more with less. AI tools can help with the entire process making things faster, cheaper, and better.

[23:03] They've seen backlogs cleared. It's like adding a member to your team.

[23:57] Potential trends include more transformative technologies unlocking innovation.

[26:03] Dr. Chang talks about her inspiration and how she always took the road less traveled.

[29:56] Valuable lessons include always being humble.

[32:54] Tradespace has unlocked over $100 million of potential revenue for clients. They hope to scale as AI evolves.

[34:56] AI is evolving to become a partner in our work.

Resources:

Tradespace

Dr. Marcia Chang - LinkedIn

Tomorrow's Lawyers: An Introduction to your Future

When you start a biotech company, equity isn't just a line on a spreadsheet. It can literally determine who gets to keep pursuing their dream and who has to step aside. In this episode, we're digging into equity distribution, an aspect of launching a startup that's easy to overlook but critically important. It shapes whose ideas ultimately make it from the lab bench to the real world.

My guest today is Dr. Jahanara Ali, founder of Longitude Ventures Consulting. Dr. Ali has spent years working with universities, biotech startups, and investors, helping them transform research into successful businesses. Her recent three-part series, "Dividing the Equity Pie," explores how equity was distributed among founders and investors in biotech companies that went public from 2021 to 2023, and her insights reveal some fascinating trends.

We'll unpack those insights, explore the differences between companies launched by investors versus those started by founders, and talk honestly about the persistent gender gaps in equity stakes. Whether you're a researcher wondering how equity works, a tech transfer specialist representing inventors, or an entrepreneur setting up your own startup, you'll leave this conversation with practical tips and a clearer understanding of how to manage equity fairly and effectively.

In This Episode:

[02:08] We learn about how Dr Ali ended up in biotech and venture consulting. She was a scientist but she knew she wanted to move into the business side.

[03:14] She began working in Tech Transfer and joined an early stage biotech startup to learn about the business side.

[04:02] Through her various experiences she became an expert in equity, licensing, and early stage development.

[05:30] She dove deeper and deeper into how to divide equity for biotech companies.

[06:02] She discovered that equity was all over the place for academic founders.

[07:34] Academic founders usually do better with their equity shares if they negotiate for themselves.

[08:52] She discovered that founders who developed foundational IP or an inventor who took an operational role usually end up with more equity than inventors who stay in academia.

[09:27] It's important to educate faculty members and licensing offices on this data.

[11:12] Advice for academic inventors includes to partner with tech licensing offices but negotiate the equity component separately.

[12:05] Key differences between investor-launched and entrepreneur-launched biotech companies.

[13:43] Founding investors retained about 30% of equity at IPL. Founding entrepreneurs retained about 14% of equity.

[15:13] Companies launched by VCs raised over $100 million. This was a lot more than the entrepreneur launched companies.

[16:08] Lessons include understanding how difficult it is to succeed. Have experienced people around you who have done it before.

[17:18] Out of 243 founders, only about 51% were on the cap table at IPO. The other 50% just drops off for whatever reason.

[18:47] If you're going to raise money, dilution will happen.

[19:50] Gender disparities among founders.

[20:15] About 85% of the founders were male. Women were 10%. Investors started 5% of the companies.

[21:51] Young women should include male mentors in their professional network.

[23:19] There are Angel networks that do invest in women entrepreneurs.

[24:18] There is an opportunity to standardize academic equity.

[25:03] Key insights for academic inventors.

Resources:

Dr. Jahanara Ali - LinkedIn

Longitude Ventures Consulting - LinkedIn