Symposium 2026 | Research Innovations Having Real World Impact
Research Innovations Having Real World Impact
How is performance research making an impact once it leaves the lab? Speakers will share how their work is reaching the world, from new therapeutics and next-generation wearable technology to advances in manufacturing and translational injury research.
CO-MODERATOR
Sam Ward, PT, PhD
Sam Ward is a professor in the Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, Radiology, and Bioengineering at UC San Diego, and he is a Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance Innovation Hub Director. He is the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation and Director of the Muscle Physiology Laboratory. His research interests are directed at understanding normal and pathological muscle biology and physiology in the presence of joint disease.
CO-MODERATOR
Kay Koplovitz, MA
In 2000, Kay Koplovitz co-founded Springboard Enterprises, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) accelerator built to help women-led companies scale through strategic resources, investor access, and operational insight that opens doors to capital. In its 26th year, its impact is reflected in a strong track record: $76 billion in value generated, with 240 exits to strategic acquirers, and 28 IPOs. Digital Health and Women’s Health are among Springboard’s accelerator programs focused on advancing innovation in women’s health and performance, with a plan to launch a Longevity program encompassing Health & Wealth companies.
SPEAKER
Jonathan Long, PhD
Jonathan Long is an assistant professor of pathology and an Institute Scholar of Stanford University’s ChEM-H (Chemistry, Engineering & Medicine for Human Health). He studies signaling pathways in mammalian energy metabolism with the long-term goal of translation into therapeutic opportunities for obesity, metabolic disease, and other age-associated chronic diseases. His contributions in biochemistry and energy homeostasis have been recognized by numerous awards, including the NIDDK Catalyst Award, the Ono Pharma Foundation Breakthrough Sciences Award, and the Jacob Churg Research Award for Junior Faculty.
SPEAKER
Zhenan Bao, PhD
Zhenan Bao is the K.K. Lee Professor of Chemical Engineering at Stanford University and, by courtesy, Professor of Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, and Bioengineering. She directs the Stanford Wearable Electronics Initiative (eWEAR). She is widely recognized for her work on artificial electronic skin, which is enabling a new generation of skin-like electronics for restoring the sense of touch in neuroprosthetics, advancing human-friendly robotics, enhancing human–machine interfaces, and enabling seamless health-monitoring devices.
SPEAKER
Joseph M. DeSimone, PhD
Joseph DeSimone is the Sanjiv Sam Gambhir Professor of Translational Medicine and Chemical Engineering at Stanford University, where he serves as Co-Director of the Canary Center and Interim Vice Chair of Strategy in Radiology. A pioneer in green chemistry, nanomedicine, medical devices, and 3D printing, he has authored more than 390 publications and holds over 240 patents. He co-founded the additive manufacturing company Carbon and served as its CEO from 2014–2019. In 2016, he received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Obama.
SPEAKER
Robert Guldberg, PhD
Robert Guldberg is the DeArmond Executive Director of the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, Vice President of the University of Oregon, and a member of the Executive Leadership Council of the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance. His research is focused on musculoskeletal mechanobiology, regenerative medicine, and orthopaedic medical devices. He is an elected fellow of TERMIS, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE), the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS), and the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
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