Fertile Times in Materials Science: A Conversation with Dr. David Kaplan

Innovators

David Kaplan is Distinguished Professor and Stern Family Professor of Engineering and Chair of Biomedical Engineering at Tufts University and was recently elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Research is achieving major breakthroughs in tissue growth, cellular agriculture, medical implants, new ways to store electricity and deal with plastic waste. The time is right for a brief conversation with a leading researcher in materials science, so we asked Dr. Kaplan:

1. What have been the primary accelerators of discovery, innovation, and invention in materials science during your career?
2. Which are the principal “engines” producing new knowledge in materials science – universities, large governmental and non-governmental laboratories, or industry?
3. The interdisciplinary nature of materials science research is quite remarkable: How did that feature come about?
4. What are the attributes of administrators and executives that make for effective leadership to enable solid research in materials science?
5. What does the near-term future hold in terms of new advances in materials science?

Continuing to direct a large research laboratory while chairing a major program in medical engineering, Dr. Kaplan speaks with wit, pride, and humility about a field pushing its boundaries in a multitude of directions with remarkable results already affecting important change. Innovators is a podcast production of Harris Search Associates.

*The views and opinions shared by the guests on Innovators do not necessarily reflect the views of the interviewee's institution or organization.*