Well, this may be the first time in my life that people’s eyes won’t glaze when I talk about it, but I’ve done research on coronaviruses.

I have a couple dozen papers with William Groutas from Wichita State University working on drug candidates for a variety of viral targets.  He actually started work last year to commercialize one drug for feline coronavirus (which causes peritonitis in cats), but suddenly our earlier studies on human coronaviruses like MERS are attracting far more attention.  Normally, no investor would give something like that a second glance because most novel viruses run their course a lot faster than it takes to bring a specifically targeted drug to FDA approval, but these are not normal times.

Anyway, the antiviral research is a side project, and it unlikely to take over my life but, for the time being, it gives me something else to talk about.

I tend to mix it up a bit. 

One vital recreation for me is spending time with my teenaged son.  We both have busy schedules, but our shared activities (walking dogs; watching YouTube humor together before bed, etc.), are sacrosanct.

Physical fitness is a key part of the routine.  Active body makes for an active mind!  At times I’ve also dabbled in writing both prose and music but such creativity, although fun, is work. Right now, I need to save my creative energy for work that I’m being paid for.

But that segues to my final recreation -- work itself!  Sure, some of my professional responsibilities are standard grind, but I find the intellectual challenges of innovation incredibly satisfying.  So, if there's one thing I’d recommend to virtually anyone, it would be to hone your responsibilities to the point where work becomes play!

The smile.

Granted, if circumstances are solemn or intense, I’ll respect your solemnity or intensity, but otherwise, I’m watching your face.  I’m especially watching the eyes, because that’s where the real smile happens.

A smile is a universal greeting, and it’s a window to the soul.  It doesn’t matter if you’re confident or nervous, the smile tells me if you’re happy to be here; comfortable in your shoes; glad to be doing this.

Smile like you feel you belong, and I’ll welcome you in.

There are many wonderful people to acknowledge, but the one person who got me where I am is my current CEO and business partner, Tony Barnes.

Before Tony, I'd spent my career as a support scientist, bolstering other people's research.  I'd learned a lot, and was well published, but almost none of the ideas I helped to prove were really my own.  I was a 'third wheel' co-inventor of antimicrobial technology when Tony came aboard to help us commercialize. By unrelated chance, he and I discovered a shared, passion for neuromedicine, and he took an interest in my ideas for treating fatal, incurable neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.  He kept asking tough questions, and kept pushing me for rigorous answers.  Years later, our concepts have matured in commercial viability, and are attracting tangible investor interest.

It's been quite a ride but, thanks to Tony, I’ve gotten invaluable experience in innovation and, together, we're now prepared to make a serious go of our new technology!

What inspires me is our own 21st century American youth.  If you’re skeptical, then go visit a regional science fair, or a high school speech/debate tournament. You’ll be impressed!

Such events used to seem a bit marginal – extracurriculars designed to give non-athletes a chance to pad college applications.  Not anymore!  These are dynamic proving grounds for young professionals who defy their age (14-18) and often emanate more confidence than the early career job applicants of past generations.  These teens can explain their phenotype sorting cytometry experiment with the polish of a PhD student.  They deftly leap from affirmative to negation on nuanced issues criminal justice reform. They’re amazing!

My own generation rules a world full of challenges. We owe it to everyone to keep trying working toward solutions before we hand over the reins. Yet, perhaps we should also be making an extra effort to mentor our serious-minded youth; to give them resources and encouragement to channel their willingness, and emerging ability, to change the world

Simply put, no.

I used to get out of bed every day ready to help other people’s research.  It seemed like a safe, quiet, low-key life.  Apart from headaches, a rapidly greying / balding head, and personnel issues, it was good work... until it fell apart and I was forced to stand on my own.

Now, I rise each day to a new set of heady challenges as I help guide our innovations toward a positive, real world impact. Each day, I set my own agenda.  Should I scour the latest literature to validate and refine our targets and testing protocols? Do I have anything to add to the presentation I’ll make next week to a new prospective partner? And did our CIO send back his comments on the latest provisional patent draft?

So, it's a very different life than the one I thought I’d committed myself to. One can argue pro or con but, hey -- my hairline has been recovering a bit.