The Future Is Now: Mark Wisniewski Of UCLA TDG On How Their Technological Innovation Will Shake Up The Tech Scene
Proactively Build Your Network: Embrace networking without any preconceived notions and just talk to people! You never know when opportunities may arise. When I was a scientist, I actively avoided networking events out of fear of not being sufficiently prepared and over-thinking expectations. That was a mistake!
As a part of our series about cutting-edge technological breakthroughs, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mark Wisniewski.
Mark Wisniewski is the Senior Director of Biopharmaceuticals at UCLA Technology Development Group (UCLA TDG), the creator of UCLA’s Los Angeles Bioscience Ecosystem Summit Twenty23 (LABEST), and is responsible for the life science and biopharma intellectual property developed at UCLA, including managing licensing and marketing staff, financial management of the portfolio and outreach to inventors and industry. His career spanned multiple roles in biotech management, entrepreneurship and product commercialization in both start-up to Fortune 100 companies. Prior to his role at UCLA TDG, Mark was a Principal Advisor to the National Institutes of Health and National Cancer Institute’s Commercialization Accelerator Programs, which provides business strategy, product commercialization, fund raising and strategic partnership guidance to hundreds of early stage biotech and life science companies. Mark received his MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and his Masters of Immunology and Microbiology at the UCLA School of Medicine.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit about you. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Ever since I was young, I was always interested in science and thought that I would become a doctor. But when I realized that I couldn’t tolerate the sight of blood, I decided to pursue a different career path as a research scientist. After completing my master’s degree in science, I worked in the lab and learned that the success of a research project did not equate with business decisions. So I decided to pursue a business degree which is why I pursued an MBA. That enabled me to transition into different biotech business roles including strategy and business development. What struck me was that my scientific background was critical for making informed business decisions. I eventually transitioned to being an entrepreneur and advising early-stage biotech companies. This led to an understanding that the major gap in communication between scientists who focus on research and management can impede the advancement of research into drugs to benefit patients. When the opportunity to join UCLA TDG appeared, it really resonated with me as both a UCLA alum and with my passion for addressing this communication gap. The LABEST event resulted as an extension of this mission.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
During my tenure at Prolacta Biosciences, I was focused on strategy, research, and product development of 100% human breast milk. Prolacta performed numerous clinical studies demonstrating that feeding premature babies only human milk, and eliminating cow’s milk formula, significantly improved the baby’s development, growth, and overall health. It was fascinating research and rewarding to know that testing components of milk like cream, microbiome, and stem cells could improve the lives of vulnerable babies.
Can you tell us about the cutting-edge technological breakthroughs that you are working on? How do you think that will help people?
Our LABEST event showcases cutting-edge bioscience research where significant expertise and resources have been invested to develop new breakthrough therapies to address critical diseases. Six Research Theme Showcases have been organized to highlight the promising breakthrough technologies in cancer, cardiovascular, immunology, metabolism, neuroscience and regenerative medicine. These showcases are intended to be interactive and facilitate new collaborations between academia and the biopharma industry.
How do you think this might change the world?
Navigating the University environment can be a challenging and time-consuming task especially when trying to identify the best scientist or research program which aligns with your interests. Yet academic-industry collaborations are critical for developing and commercializing new therapies which have the potential to significantly improve both the quality and quantity of people’s lives. LABEST endeavors to facilitate collaborations more efficiently through programs designed to raise awareness of cutting-edge research programs and brilliant scientists in an organized fashion.
Was there a “tipping point” that led you to this breakthrough? Can you tell us that story?
When I joined UCLA TDG, I had the opportunity to organize the first life sciences conference at UCLA. It was decided that instead of only focusing on UCLA, other prominent institutions like Caltech, Cedars-Sinai, USC, and City of Hope should be invited to participate. A sort of “one-stop shopping for investors and industry” to showcase the best research programs, faculty and biotech startups. This would ultimately result in our LABEST event which is in its 5th year.
What do you need to lead this technology to widespread adoption?
LABEST has consistently grown every year and attracted new bioscience participants. The key to attract widespread participation is to consistently promote the mantra of a “rising tide lifts all boats” i.e. we are better together. When investors and biopharma companies recognize that the next big thing in drug discovery may be on display at LABEST, they will make it a priority to attend! The onus is on our team to “keep our eye on the prize” and attract new brilliant scientists to showcase their cutting-edge research. Ultimately, branding LABEST’s role as a matchmaker or to establish a “marketplace” whereby innovative research, brilliant scientists and investors can efficiently find each other.
What have you been doing to publicize this idea? Have you been using any innovative marketing strategies?
This interview with Authority Magazine is exactly the type of public exposure that LABEST needs to propel it to greater heights!
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I am exceedingly grateful to the numerous people who mentored and assisted me throughout my career. For LABEST, our core team has an admirable dedication and passion “above-and-beyond” their normal job responsibilities to plan, organize, and execute for the success of our event! It is quite remarkable and humbling to be part of this genuine team effort!
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
My network has grown significantly with joining UCLA and then expanded further due to the success of LABEST. I strive to utilize my LA biotech “influencer” role to connect, mentor, and educate the next generation whenever needed. With an incredible talent pool at UCLA and across LA, the best approach is to position them for success by “teaching people to fish” in terms of supporting their entrepreneurial endeavors.
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?
Proactively Build Your Network: Embrace networking without any preconceived notions and just talk to people! You never know when opportunities may arise. When I was a scientist, I actively avoided networking events out of fear of not being sufficiently prepared and over-thinking expectations. That was a mistake!
It’s ok to make mistakes as long as you learn from it! “Throw spaghetti at a wall and see what sticks.” Experience is truly the best teacher. Many of my startup failures were due to not having the right team, unrelated to the underlying technology or product. This makes you appreciate the effort required to screen and organize an effective team!
Thy shalt ask, thy shalt receive. Unless you ask, you’ll never know. The response may unexpectedly be a “Yes!”
Persistence pays off in unexpected ways. I did not dream of being at UCLA TDG when I was young, unlike other young kids who may have dreamed of being future doctors, lawyers and fire-fighters. But being open to trying new career paths can lead to unexpected opportunities and outcomes!
Pursue goals with belief and conviction! This will provide endurance during the testing times.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
“Teaching how to fish” by empowering the academic environment to embrace a culture change and recognize that their role is pivotal with new drug development and commercialization. It is inefficient for scientists to focus solely on the science and management to focus on the “Business” separately. It is a “team sport” with both scientists and management being critical for the success of new drugs throughout the discovery to commercialization phases. Choose and embrace your role based on your interests and expertise but understand that it is a team sport.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Being a chess player, this quote resonates with me: “Life is like a game of chess. To win you have to make a move. Knowing which move to make comes with IN-SIGHT and knowledge, and by learning the lessons that are accumulated along the way. We become each and every piece within the game called life!” ― Allan Rufus
Some very well-known VCs read this column. If you had 60 seconds to make a pitch to a VC, what would you say? He or she might just see this if we tag them :-)
Choose Los Angeles as a bioscience growth investment market! “#LongLA”! With a wealth of talent, resources, capabilities and network, its potential is enormous. It is UCLA TDG’s role to facilitate collaborations by breaking down the silos and showcasing the best research, scientists, and startups. This is what LABEST is all about. We are here to collaborate!
How can our readers follow you on social media?
You can find more information about LABEST here: https://tdg.ucla.edu/news-events/events/labest-2023.
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational.
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