On this episode of the State of Innovation, we talk with Mahesh Krishnamurthy, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Academic Director of the Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship at Illinois Tech. Mahesh shares his research interest in power electronics, electric machines and adjustable speed drives; where the electric vehicle market stands today; and new entrepreneurship initiatives he's leading through the Kaplan Institute.

On this episode of the State of Innovation, we chat with Dr. James Gillespie, Executive Director of the Prysm Institute—a business accelerator founded by Sterling Bay to provide resources to emerging and established companies specializing in life sciences, healthcare and technology. We discuss the Dr. Gillespie's career arc and interest in life sciences and technology; his leadership on diversity, equity, and inclusion; his new role with the Prysm Institute; and much more. 

On this episode of the State of Innovation, we chat with Yele Adelakun, 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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!

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. 

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.

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.