Bentley University welcomes two new Executives-in-Residence this fall. Michael A. Boss, PhD, MBA, and Nancy Hsiung, PhD, will collaborate on research and mentor students in Bentley’s newly established Center for Integration of Science and Industry. The Center’s mission is to understand the process by which science is translated for public value and accelerate this translation by engaging top leaders in the fields of science and industry in interdisciplinary dialogue, scholarship, and education.   

“We are pleased to welcome two such high level experts in the fields of science and business to the Bentley community,” notes Dr. Fred Ledley, Director of the Center for Integration of Science and Industry and a professor of Natural and Applied Sciences and Management.  "Their professional success as executives and entrepreneurs will help inform our scholarship, and we are certain they will be great role models for our students as they prepare for careers in technology-intensive industries of the future.”

Michael Boss, PhD, MBA, has been a leader in the biotechnology industry for more than 30 years as a scientist and senior executive. As a group leader at Celltech, he was lead inventor of the landmark “Boss Patent,” which enabled the genetic engineering and manufacture of recombinant, monoclonal antibodies, and generated more than $1 billion in revenue. In addition, Boss co-founded Oros Instruments, a successful developer of protein purification equipment that was acquired by Biotage. He subsequently joined Genica Pharmaceuticals as Vice President of Research and Development and later Vice President of Operations, where he had a central role in building Genica (renamed Athena Diagnostics) into the leading developer of neurological and genetic tests. Most recently, he held the position of Vice President, Corporate Office of Technology, at Elan Corporation and Chief Operating Officer of Xanthus Life Sciences, leading its acquisition by Antisoma, where he continued in senior executive positions.

“It remains incredibly difficult to develop great science into great products and great businesses,” notes Boss. “Inventive scientists can’t do it by themselves. Scientists need to team with smart business leaders and together, find ways to creatively translate inventions into successful products and sustainable businesses.  It is exciting to be part of a Center that is studying how to make this process more efficient and preparing students to lead such processes in the future.” 

Nancy Hsiung, PhD has more than 30 years of experience in the biotechnology industry in scientific research, management, and venture capital. She was an early employee of Integrated Genetics (Genzyme/Sanofi) where she established the company's gene expression and tissue culture capabilities and has served in management positions at Applied Biotechnology, Inc., as US Head of Corporate Development for Toyobo Corporation's biopharmaceutical division, and as a consultant with expertise in strategic planning, business development, technology assessment, market research and financing for biotechnology and biopharmaceutical companies. Hsiung has also worked as a Partner with GeneChem Management and a Vice President of A.M. Pappas & Associates. She holds over 15 patents and patent applications worldwide.

“Doing diligence for venture investments in start-up companies reveals a lot about what it takes to build a business based on science,” said Hsiung. “The typical business and investment models often don’t work for start-up companies.  I am looking forward to working with the faculty and students at Bentley to study science-based business models and strategies that may create greater public value from translational science.”

Created in 2012 with a generous grant from the National Biomedical Research Foundation to Bentley University, the Center for Integration of Science and Industry brings together faculty, students, and visiting scholars in an interdisciplinary effort to improve the efficiency of translating scientific discoveries to create public value. The Center is an environment for thought leadership that brings together scholarship that spans science, technology, management, finance, and public policy. This scholarship will be informed by expert workshops as well as contributions to the practices of both public and business organizations.