The University has announced the lineup for its Innovation Engagement Speaker Series, which is aimed at uncovering several aspects of innovation as it is developing at Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University) and beyond.

The focus includes local, regional and national perspectives, with topics ranging from start-up challenges, innovation across healthcare, venture capital, to prototype generation. The series also will expose participants to emerging opportunities in their respective areas. Whether a clinician, researcher, nascent inventor, entrepreneur or just a curious mind, attendees will walk away with something of value.

“We want to provide both prospective and active entrepreneurs with great resources to be as successful as possible,” said Dan Whitzer, project coordinator of the Innovation department at Jefferson. “The speaker series really speaks to that thought process because we always work hard to get a diverse lineup of industry professionals who can speak about the different steps in the entrepreneurial workflow. There aren’t many opportunities like our series where up-and-coming entrepreneurs can listen and speak directly to professionals who have such vast knowledge about what’s needed to start a business or create a product.”

All talks will take place at 12 p.m. in the main lobby at 901 Walnut St. in Center City. RSVP to innovation@jefferson.edu. Can’t attend in person? The lectures will be live streamed here.

The 2018 lineup features:

Jan. 25
Disruption of Healthcare: The Challenge and the Opportunity
Speaker: Anthony Coletta, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President and President, Facilitated Health Networks, Independence Blue Cross

Feb. 1
Beating the Odds: Building a Wildly Successful Biotech Startup
Speaker: Jeff Marrazzo, Co-founder and CEO, Spark Therapeutics

Feb. 8
The Newco and the Vision: Powering Through the Challenges
Speaker: Nicholas Siciliano, PhD, Jefferson Alumnus, CEO, Invisible Sentinel Inc.

Feb. 15
Intellectual Property and Early Corporate Concerns: How to “Copilot” Your Way to Success
Speakers: Ellen Grady and Kyle Vos Strache, Attorneys, Cozen O’Connor

Feb. 22
Designedly Yours: Jefferson East Falls
Speaker: Michael Leonard, MAEd, IDSA, Dean, School of Design and Engineering, Jefferson

March 8
Evolving Ben: Joining Forces for Growth
Speaker: Scott Nissenbaum, Chief Investment Officer, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania

March 15
Navigating Amazon: Bushwhacking Through the War Room
Speakers: Harold Epps and Matt Cabrey, Director of Commerce and Executive Director, Select Greater Philadelphia

March 29
Artificial Intelligence: Powering the Future of Work
Speaker: Athena Karp, Founder and CEO, HiredScore

April 5
Kennedy and Jefferson: Innovation Better Together
Speaker: Joseph W. Devine, FACHE, President New Jersey Division, and Executive Vice President of Hospital and Health Services, Jefferson Health

April 12
Angel Seed and Venture Capital: A 2018 Snapshot
Speaker: Barbara Schilberg, CEO, BioAdvance