How do discoveries in a university lab make their way into everyday life? That question sits at the heart of AUTM’s Better World Project. When it first launched almost 20 years ago, it was just a small booklet with a handful of stories. Today, it’s grown into a global showcase with more than 600 examples of how technology transfer changes lives. In this episode, we’re taking another look at the project, what’s new, and why it continues to matter.
I’m joined by RK Narayanan, Senior Director of Business Development and Technology Transfer at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Since 2017, RK has been leading partnerships and collaborations there, but his path stretches across both research and commercialization. He earned a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Arizona and an MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Earlier in his career, he held research roles at Harvard Medical School and MIT before stepping into technology management at Illinois, where he oversaw more than 200 innovations in the life sciences. He brings a strong focus on value creation and mentorship to his work in tech transfer.
Also joining us is Parag Vasekar, Business Development and Licensing Manager for Physical Sciences at Purdue Research Foundation’s Office of Technology Commercialization. Parag’s training covers the full spectrum of materials science. He holds degrees from Pune University in India, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Central Florida, where he earned his PhD. His career has spanned both academia and industry, and today he plays a key role in evaluating technologies and shaping licensing agreements at Purdue. He also serves as co-chair of AUTM’s Better World Project Committee, giving him an inside view of how the initiative has expanded and adapted over time.
Together, RK and Parag walk us through the growth of the Better World Project from those early printed pages to today’s award-winning stories. We’ll talk about standout innovations like UMass Amherst’s PFAS-destroying water purification system, the artificial pancreas, and breakthrough cancer treatments. More importantly, we’ll hear why this project isn’t just about showcasing innovation, but about showing the human impact of university research on communities worldwide.
In This Episode:
[01:30] RK’s career path is highlighted, from research at Harvard and MIT to overseeing 200 innovations at Illinois.
[02:00] Parag’s academic and professional journey is detailed, with expertise in materials science and licensing.
[03:12] The Better World Project has grown from hundreds to more than 600 innovation stories.
[04:57] Examples like the Honeycrisp apple, N95 mask, and Google show university research impact.
[05:39] The project began as a way to highlight outcomes of the Bayh-Dole Act and has since gone global.
[06:14] From print to online multimedia, the growth reflects the maturing of the field.
[07:01] Parag shares what drew him to the project and how it connects the “what” of tech transfer to the “why.”
[09:09] RK explains how the project’s expansion shows the maturation of tech transfer beyond transactions.
[10:14] Impact is measured in healthier patients, cleaner water, and stronger communities.
[10:49] Lisa references Kate Zernike’s call for better storytelling in academic research.
[11:22] Parag outlines the Better World Project Award process and the criteria for submissions.
[12:29] The committee reviews entries before finalists go to the AUTM community for a vote.
[13:26] UMass Amherst’s PFAS-destroying water purification system is highlighted as the 2025 winner.
[14:38] Judging criteria have broadened from blockbuster drugs to more holistic measures of impact.
[15:48] The committee looks for “aha” moments where research curiosity directly impacts lives.
[16:33] RK explains how the project highlights long-term value beyond licensing revenue.
[17:04] Examples like the artificial pancreas and PFAS system show impact measured in human terms.
[18:22] Representation matters: the project spans medical devices, agriculture, and consumer products.
[19:03] A story from Pakistan’s NUST about a vibrational wave therapy device illustrates global reach.
[20:25] The project’s role during the pandemic highlighted universities’ rapid responses and collaboration.
[21:35] Stories included rapid diagnostic tests, open-source ventilators, PPE solutions, and vaccines.
[22:27] The key lesson: urgency and collaboration enable universities to meet global challenges.
[23:08] Parag describes how multimedia storytelling broadened the project’s reach and emotional impact.
[24:46] Barriers for smaller offices include staff limitations and lack of marketing expertise.
[25:31] AUTM staff provide editorial support and encourage frequent submissions.
[26:11] Parag shares the committee’s vision for the next five years, focusing on global reach and diversity.
[27:05] New story categories now include AI, sustainability, and social sciences.
[28:39] RK explains how storytelling makes the impact of university research clear to policymakers.
[29:28] With more than 600 examples, the project provides credible evidence of impact.
[30:08] The initiative is adapting to showcase AI, climate change, and global health innovations.
[31:42] Examples include carbon capture, agricultural advances, telemedicine, and vaccine technologies.
[32:19] The call is made for institutions worldwide to submit stories by October 15.
[33:38] The committee is currently full but encourages volunteering at future meetings.
[34:11] RK highlights Spinraza, developed at Cold Spring Harbor, as a personally inspiring story.
[35:19] The partnership with Ionis Pharmaceuticals shows the power of sustained collaboration.
[36:49] Parag points to Allegra as a reminder that consumer products also emerge from research labs.
[37:30] COVID-era stories reinforced how global tech transfer can adapt quickly.
[38:08] Both guests share their hopes for the project’s legacy as more than just a collection of stories.
[39:50] We encourage relentless storytelling and contributions to the archive.
[41:11] The Better World Project has become a powerful advocacy tool.
[42:27] Submissions for the 2026 Better World Project Award are now open.
[43:18] Let’s keep making the world better through technology transfer.
Resources:
RK Narayanan - LinkedIn
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Parag Vasekar - LinkedIn
Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization
Submissions for the 2026 Better World Project Award
