Without a doubt, recent advances in biotechnology and biomaterials have revolutionized medicine over the past half of century, including my area of research which includes our ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases.  But, how did this occur? Was your research part of these advancements? Have we innovated and commercialized enough?  While some of these wonderful research advances have made it to the market helping real people, many have not. Are we doing enough to translate biotechnology research into real products? Are companies not paying attention to this wonderful research? Are Universities not doing enough to help you? Is your research being licensed to larger companies to make products that help society? Are you starting new companies? What about federal funding agencies? Are they supporting your commercialization efforts? And, most importantly, are you in the right environment to innovate and commercialize your research? Especially in these turbulent times in academic research in the US, it is time to take control of your destiny.

In my own experience, above all else, it takes a supportive environment. We all have great ideas. But, it takes more than that. It takes a supportive community to translate lab research into commercial products. It takes determination and fortitude to see it through. You need to surround yourself with the right people – and if you are currently not around a supportive optimistic environment, leave ! Leave that negative, ultra-competitive University you are at - I did! Start your own company! I did! Attend the right conferences, not those super competitive conferences where the same old people give the same old talks, and criticize your work simply to support their own! I did!

Most importantly, find the right community. I left a very negative, ultra-competitive Northeastern University in Boston (I have never seen such negative people in my 25 year career) over 4 years ago and I have never looked back. I found a truly supportive environment by forming my own companies and yes, finding supportive Universities who value me and my contributions.

Only after leaving such negativity, did I succeed.  Only then was I able to start numerous companies and commercialize my research into medical devices now in over 30,000 patients with no failures, only success! No infection! No chronic inflammation! No implant loosening! No failures! Period!

Once I found the right environment outside of Northeastern University, everything else moved very quickly – including FDA approval and my research advances in over 30,000 patients in just 4 years! So, I encourage everyone to find that right environment. Make that move. Find that place where YOU are supported. Life is too short and patient lives need to be saved now! And attend the right conferences: the Biotech Congress 2025 is at the heart of innovation and commercialization! Meet the right people! Be energized by optimistic people! It will change your life once you make the commitment to surround yourself with positive people.  I know, because I lived it.

I look forward to seeing everyone and sharing my story!

Sincerely,

Thomas J. Webster, Ph.D.
H-index: 130
Fellow, AANM, AIMBE, BMES, FSBE, IIAM, IJN, NAI, and RSM
Past-President, US Society for Biomaterials
Nominated for the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2025)