Abstract 1199 Fostering the next generation of innovative biochemists

What is innovation? A simple question, yet many biochemistry students have never been asked this directly. Today's students must be innovators if they are to be successful, whether in the classroom, lab, or boardroom. Students not only require an understanding of science and the associated ethics involved in scientific innovation, but also of the business of science. Focusing on early-career undergraduates, a new course was designed to engage students in innovative thinking. The course challenges students to identify problems and pathways to solutions. Using open-access podcasts, scientific primary literature, and case studies, students hone their skills of problem identification and are introduced to myriad ways of solving problems innovatively. Moreover, students learn about patent law, funding mechanisms, drug development and launch, and business models. A final project investigates the science, business, and ethics of a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or direct-to-consumer testing company. Students report an increased ability to identify problems and solutions along with other benefits upon completion of the course. By engaging students early (sophomore year), the goal is to foster an innovative mindset that carries throughout their time at school and beyond, leading to a more robust generation of innovative biochemists. This work was supported by a grant from the U-Imagine Center for Integrative and Entrepreneurial Studies at Ursinus College.