The State of Innovation Podcast
Brought to you by the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition, The State of Innovation features insight from practitioners, disruptors and thought-leaders from all corners of the state’s innovation ecosystem. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean.
Episode 12: Yele Adelakun, DePaul University
April 7, 2021 | Download Episode
On this episode of the State of Innovation, we chat with Yele Adelakun, Associate Professor at DePaul University’s College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM), and Founder of DePaul’s iD-Lab. We discuss his journey from Nigeria to Chicago (by way of Finland); his research on IT systems and outsourcing; as well as the groundbreaking work of DePaul’s iD-Lab.
Episode 11: Rob Patino
March 17, 2021 | Download Episode
On this episode of the State of Innovation, we sit down with Rob Patino, Director of the Office of Technology Transfer at the Southern Illinois University System. We discuss his career path from chemical engineering to IP law and technology transfer; innovation going on across the SIU System; how the university connecting researchers to industry through its new Research Enabled platform; and much more.
Episode 10: Bill Payne
February 8, 2021 | Download Episode
On this episode of the State of Innovation, we sit down with Bill Payne, Executive Director of Science and Technology at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago. We discuss his career path in engineering and telecommunications; Polsky’s technology commercialization work; how the university is supporting businesses on the South Side of Chicago; and much more.
Episode 9: Synim Rivers
November 12, 2020 | Download Episode
On this episode of The State of Innovation, we sit down with Synim Rivers, Director of R&D Communication at Horizon Therapeutics. We discuss her career arc, Horizon’s recent success, the R&D landscape in Illinois, and how to move forward on health equity issues.
Episode 8: Gail Rost and Kendra Wieneke, Siebel Center for Design
September 23, 2020 | Download Episode
Gail Rost and Kendra Wieneke from the University of Illinois’ Siebel Center for Design join the show to discuss developments at the Siebel Center; how Design Thinking and Human-Centered Design (HCD) can shape the way we approach challenges; and much more!
Episode 7: Kate Waimey Timmerman
August 31, 2020 | Download Episode
On this episode of The State of Innovation, we sit down with Kate Waimey Timmerman, Executive Director of the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE). On the heels of a game-changing announcement for quantum research in Illinois, we discuss how CQE is bringing together universities, federal labs, industry and startups to boost innovation and create jobs.
Episode 6: Abin Kuriakose
August 12, 2020 | Download Episode
On this episode of The State of Innovation, we sit down with ChicagoNEXT director Abin Kuriakose to discuss his career arc; the great work going on at ChicagoNEXT; how Chicago can leverage tech to inclusively grow its economy; and much more.
Episode 5: Colleen D. Egan
July 28, 2020 | Download Episode
ISTC’s podcast is back! We’re now The State of Innovation podcast. On our triumphant return, we speak to new ISTC/I CEO Colleen D. Egan about her journey and what’s next for our organization.
Episode 4: Beyond the Index with Mark Harris
December 19, 2018 | Download Episode
Episode 4 of the podcast goes in-depth on our recently released STEM Talent issue of the Illinois Innovation Index with Mark Harris, President & CEO of ISTC. We discuss trends in Illinois STEM talent pipeline, including the growth of computer and data science, and the need for greater diversity and employer engagement in Illinois.
Episode 3: Lori Andrews
November 14, 2018 | Download Episode
Episode 3 of the podcast features Prof. Lori Andrews from the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Chicago Kent College of Law. We chat about Prof. Andrews’ groundbreaking work at the intersection of law and technology, including her work in genetics and biotechnology, as well as with social networks and online privacy.
Episode 2: Brandon Cox
November 6, 2018 | Download Episode
Episode 2 of the podcast features Prof. Brandon Cox from the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. We discuss her research efforts in hearing loss and regeneration, SIU’s strength in hearing research, and how the field of hearing loss has evolved in recent years.
Episode 1: Edward Colgate
October 29, 2018 | Download Episode
On the inaugural episode of the Data Dish podcast, we sit down with Prof. Edward Colgate from Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering to discuss his research in robotics, his newest startup, and how university research has changed over the past 30 years.
