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IdeaRally: A Wiki-like Discussion

Interview with IdeaConnection Facilitator Teresa Michelsen
Jan-29-12. By Jane Mundy
Teresa Michelsen didn't expect a lot when she signed up to facilitate an IdeaRally with IdeaConnection, which made the outcome a pleasant surprise, to say the least. "IdeaRally is probably the most inclusive discussion I have ever participated in, which is why it was so exciting," says Michelsen.

The Journey from Wacky to Winning

Interview with IdeaConnection Facilitator David Gleiser
Jan-20-12. By Jane Mundy
Trust is a pre-requisite on the journey from wacky ideas to a prize-winning solution. "You've got to be able to trust each other and trust the system in which you are working," says David Gleiser, one of IdeaConnection's facilitators.

Beyond the Box

Interview with IdeaConnection Facilitator Peter Lloyd
Jan-19-12. By Jane Mundy
It took some convincing before Peter Lloyd accepted his first challenge as one of IdeaConnection's facilitators. At first, the idea of working on contingency didn't appeal to him but Scott Wurtele, IdeaConnection's founder, convinced Lloyd to give try it. And he liked it; so much so that he just completed his fifth challenge.

What it Takes to Facilitate

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Jan-12-12. By Jane Mundy
After signing up as an IdeaConnection facilitator, it took Lisa Singh, from Dayton, Ohio, several months to accept two challenges. "Working on a challenge sounded too good to be true, it sounded too easy – even though it meant working on contingency," says Singh, "but after my first successful challenge I was hooked! I could hardly wait until the next challenge."

Rally Winner Uses Funds to Educate Students

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Jun-02-11.
Harrys K.C. Jacob is a graduate student in a joint PhD program with the Institute of Bioinformatics in Bangalore and Manipal University, Manipal investigating cell signaling pathways in lung adenocarcinoma especially in resistant cell lines using high throughput quantitative proteomic strategies.

Idea Rally: Exciting and Thought-Provoking

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
May-09-11.
Dr. Vijay Dalal has research experience in three institutes that spans over ten years after he received his MTech (Applied Botany) degree, which includes research work performed during his PhD.

An Opportunity to Learn and Share

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
May-02-11.
Dr. Saminathan Thangasamy has a BS in Agriculture, MS in Plant Breeding and Genetics and PhD in Biotechnology (Rice Functional Genomics).

Professionalism, Knowledge and Quality

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Apr-25-11.
Dr. Ryan Fink: My background is relatively broad, I started my scientific career working towards my bachelor degree in natural population genetics of Norway spruce. I received my Ph.D. in 2000 from the University of Milan, Italy, on a research focused on the genetics and molecular biology of eukaryotic systems (plants), including the development of molecular markers, and gene mapping.

Idea Rally adds to Solvers Successful Portfolio

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Apr-13-11.
Dr. T. Charles John Bhaskar has a varied background which he feels is helpful in solving varied problems. His undergraduate degree was in biochemistry, postgraduate degree in Mariculture and doctorate work was in molecular biology and biophysics.

Team Synergy Produces Successful Solutions

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Feb-20-11.
James Threadgill is a Polymer Chemist and has worked on various scientific problems in the Tampa Bay Area for about twenty-five years, including the Space Shuttle at Honeywell.

Harnessed Expertise Produces Winning Solution

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Feb-14-11.
TJ Cradick majored in Biology as an undergraduate at MIT, and completed all the coursework in Mechanical Engineering plus graduate and a med school class. He received a Masters in Immunology from UC San Francisco and a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Iowa. In addition, TJ has worked in a number of biotech and consulting settings.

IdeaConnection is Like my Dream Job

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Feb-06-11.
Sanjay Parmar has completed his M.S. (Pharm) in Pharmacology & Toxicology from National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, India. He is currently working as a JRF on 'biomarkers/genetic markers in angioplasty patients' project at L. M. College of Pharmacy, India. This project is also a part of his PhD work.

We are All Problem Solvers By Necessity!

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Jan-28-11.
Shane Mayack has a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, Program in Immunology, from the University of Massachusetts Medical Center where she studied the role for the kinase Jak3 in effector CD4+ T lymphocyte function. After receiving her Ph.D., she was a postdoctoral fellow for 5 years at Harvard Medical School. During her postdoc, she studied blood forming (hematopoietic) stem cells and how environmental queues regulated stem cell function.

Top Solver Wins another Challenge

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Jan-18-11.
Dr. Sandip Bharate has a PhD in Natural Products Chemistry from India with a postdoctoral experience in Medicinal Chemistry from USA. He is a pharmacist by profession and is interested in natural products and medicinal chemistry.

A Good Way to Use My Knowledge

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Dec-30-10.
Ivan Delgado has a Bachelor's degree and a PhD in genetics, and an MBA. He has been solving problems in both academic and industrial settings, including as a contractor, before working on problems for IdeaConnection.

Solvers provide valuable Intellectual Property for Seeker

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Dec-16-10.
Julia Skripka-Serry has a Master's degree in Drug Discovery and a Bachelor's in Biotechnology. This is the second challenge she has worked on.

Crowdsourcing Provides People with Opportunities to Solve Problems

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Nov-29-10.
Sekhar Konjeti was trained in organic chemistry initially and obtained his Ph.D. in organic/medicinal chemistry. He is now a Research Professor in Vanderbilt University working on drug development for cancer. He has gained experience in biology, molecular biology and cell signaling over the years through his research. He has successfully solved 6 Innocentive challenges and two team challenges through IdeaConnection.

A Good Way to Use My Talents

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Nov-15-10.
Prasun Pradhan did his postdoctoral research in synthetic organic chemistry and catalysis, and is presently working as a scientist at TCGLS.

Solving Challenges: A Rewarding Experience

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Nov-07-10.
Paul Comet's academic background is in Geology (MS) from London University (UK). He also has a doctorate from Bristol University (UK) in organic geochemistry (biomarkers or "chemical fossils").

Committed Team Members Give All They Can

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Oct-21-10.
Keith Everett is a system and hardware designer working currently in the Biotech/Pharma business. He is a biologist by education with extensive experience in Biotech and analysis related automation, process design and hardware design for plant-based production systems.

More Satisfying to Share a Success

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Sep-29-10.
Stefano Biondi graduated from the University of Bologna with a degree in chemistry, and worked as a medicinal and pharmaceutical chemist for more than 20 years in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, where he held senior positions in research and development.

Achieving Solutions You Couldn't Achieve Alone

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Sep-18-10.
Stuart Levy, PhD, is a Principal Consultant at SGL Chemistry Consulting, focused on the advancement of small molecules from discovery into clinical trials, since May 2010. Dr. Levy has broad and significant experience in troubleshooting and solving problems in the pharmaceutical industry related to chemical and pharmaceutical development.

Solving Problems and Social Networking

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Sep-12-10.
Raico Ernesto Laria Lamela completed his Bachelor degree in Biochemistry at the University of Havana, graduated with Honors in 1998. Four years later while working for the Centre of Fisheries Research in Havana city he got his Master Degree in Marine Biology and Aquaculture.

Different Views Cause Creativity

Interview with IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Jul-26-10. By
David Neslony teaches vocals, including proper diction for speaking and singing. He has also taught and played most stringed musical instruments. He is a "natural born" solution catalyst, seeing multiple paths to a solution where none seem to exist.

Supporting the Group Leads to Increased Communication and Creativity

Interview with IdeaConnection Facilitator
May-22-10. By Paul Arnold
Rowan Oloman was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, and has a master’s degree in environmental resource management from the University of New South Wales, Australia. In the fall of 2010 she’s embarking on an MBA in sustainable business at Bainbridge Graduate Institute.

Solvers from Diverse Countries achieve Successful Results

IdeaConnection Interview with a Problem Solver
May-02-10. By Jane Mundy
Francis Cho received a PhD in mechanical engineering from The University of Texas, and is the CEO and co-founder of VoRo Technology LLC.

Companies Only Pay for Viable Solutions

IdeaConnection Interview with a Problem Solver
Apr-13-10. By Paul Arnold
Charles John Bhaskar is Managing Director of GeoMarine Biotechnologies (P) Ltd, a biotechnology research company with a focus on research, education and training, especially in marine biotechnology. He is one of the three innovation specialists in India and the first person in his country to commercialize indigenous probiotics in Aquaculture.

A Marvelous Release of Mental Energy

IdeaConnection Interview with a Problem Solver
Apr-05-10. By Paul Arnold
Doug Kenfield’s background is primarily a combination of three things; biology, medicine and chemistry and to combine all those three interests he spent much of his career focusing on plants. His PhD is in plant pathology and 30 years ago he was working in biomimicry long before the field was considered cool.

Tapping into Global Expertise 24/7

Interview with IdeaConnection Facilitator
Mar-25-10. By Paul Arnold
Sandy Ping has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in innovation, which started with Procter and Gamble in 1980. He worked his way up through the company and became a senior engineer in the innovation section.

Success with First Ever Challenge

Interview with IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Mar-18-10. By Paul Arnold
Graham Hallson’s background is in molecular biology and he’s currently working on his PhD at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia. A huge fan of problem solving he completed a successful challenge on his very first attempt and spoke to IdeaConnection about his experience.

Diverse Teams Provide Insight

IdeaConnection Interview with a Problem Solver
Mar-13-10. By Paul Arnold
John Pisciotta obtained his PhD from Johns Hopkins University in 2007 in the department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology. At the time he was studying Plasmodium falciparum, the disease-causing agent responsible for malaria. His objective was to figure out how the malaria parasite ingests hemoglobin after invading the red blood cell, and then degrades it for its own nutrients.

People Lift Each Other Beyond Their Conventional Game

Interview with an IdeaConnection Facilitator
Mar-03-10. By Paul Arnold
Peter McCoppin is an internationally renowned conductor, broadcaster and a gifted communicator. As an executive coach, his leadership, team-building and communication skills are the foundation of the training programs he has developed for corporate and government executives.

You are Stronger When you are More than One

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Feb-21-10. By Paul Arnold
Joseph Hawumba carried out the first study in Uganda on the characterization of thermophile bacteria from Ugandan hot springs. The research was for his Master’s degree in Biochemistry which he completed in 1997. Two years later he was off to the University of Pretoria in South Africa where he worked on his PhD.

When You Have a Tough Problem it’s Good to Collaborate

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Feb-10-10. By Paul Arnold
Gary Vardon has a BS from Metro State College in Denver and a Master's degree from Louisiana State University and over 26 years of professional experience with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). He is also the author of Do It Right and Consulting for Profit published by PublishAmerica.

Using Other People's Knowledge to Increase Your Own

Interview with an IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Feb-03-10. By Paul Arnold
Andrew Kyle trained as a mechanical engineer, and since leaving university has been involved in a lot of technology start-ups and alternative energy companies. For the last few years he has used his experience to branch out into consulting, and he has one patent to his name.

The Opportunity to Work with Bright Minds

Interview with an IdeaConnection Facilitator
Feb-02-10. By Paul Arnold
Jason Reed was born and educated in the UK. Following university he worked as a systems developer for Littlewoods Home Shopping and then ran his own IT solutions company for 10 years. Currently he's a consultant and a coach focusing on online collaboration. So he is a ideally suited to be a facilitator.

100 Percent Solve Rate

Interview with IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Jan-27-10. By Paul Arnold
Prashant Agrawal was born in India and studied for his bachelors and masters degrees in chemistry in his native country. In 2002 he moved to the Netherlands to do his PhD in biophysical chemistry. He is now working on the European project, MediTrans: targeted delivery of nanomedicine using molecular imaging.

Challenges as Brain Teasers

Interview with an IdeaConnection Facilitator
Jan-27-10. By Paul Arnold
Rick Jezzi, a chemical engineer, has acted as a facilitator on a number of open innovation challenges posted by IdeaConnection. He is currently on his forth challenge, having made three previous submissions. One has already received a cash reward while the other two are still pending.

Facilitator says it's about Team Synergy

Interview with IdeaConnection Facilitator David Gleiser
Jan-26-10. By Paul Arnold
Born and raised in Colombia, David Gleiser, a team facilitator, studied psychology at university and became a professional psychologist. He also achieved a master's degree in economics and worked on a PhD in experimental psychology which he didn't finish.

Green Power Solution

Interview with IdeaConnection Problem Solver
Jan-26-10. By Paul Arnold
David Leithauser, a solver from the United States majored in physics for two years before switching to marine engineering and then finally to electrical engineering. He has a broad background in science and engineering and devours scientific literature.

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