OpenScholar Open Up

In 2009, OpenScholar began as an open source research project, led by Gary King, the Weatherhead University Professor and Director of the Institute for Quantitative Social Science at Harvard. Gary shares why he founded the web content management system and how it grew organically at Harvard and other research institutions.

On this episode of OpenUp, Jess speaks with Beth Daley (Editor and General Manager of The Conversation) about the ways in which news and research create new pathways for collaboration. They discuss the rigorous pitch-to-publish process each story goes through and why it is important to present research in context to engage audiences. They also examine bias in journalism, how to add to public discourse on a variety of subjects as well as how their platform brings researchers together from across the globe.

In this episode, Jess sits down with Dr. Christian Stegmann (Bayer Head, Precision Cardiology Lab) to discuss his experience in bringing two research organizations, Bayer and the Broad Institute, together and how family history and personal experience brought him to his career in cardiovascular research.  Dr. Stegmann discusses the European approach to IP collaboration and the benefits of open communication and broad expertise between organizations when it comes to producing groundbreaking innovations and rapid publications. Lastly, we discuss his continental transition from Germany to the U.S. and the achievements of the Bayer/Broad Institute since his move to Cambridge.

Jess sits down with Dr. Bryan Bryson (Assistant Professor of Biological Engineering, MIT/Associate Member, Ragon Institute) to discuss the fun of trial and error and how it led to his passion for science at a young age.  Dr. Bryson discusses the importance of creating shared languages to build support and increase scientific impact across fields and levels of expertise. We also discuss the role of fun and fostering workplace friendships in initiating research collaborations.  As an infectious disease expert, Dr. Bryson discusses the global impact of Tuberculosis and what success will look like in the COVID-19 recovery. Lastly, we discuss the beauty of science and the exquisite representation of an immune system response to pathogens through the medium of watercolors.    Quote of the Ep: “If I had to bet on anything right now, I’m betting on science.” - Dr. Bryan Bryson

In episode four of Open Up, Jess speaks with Dr. Matt Menard (Co-Director, Endovascular Surgery/Program Director, Vascular and Endovascular Surgical Fellowship/Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School Vascular and Endovascular Surgery) about his winding path toward surgical medicine and the long term process of creating a cross departmental cardiovascular trial from idea to dissemination.  Dr. Menard discusses what makes the patient and surgeon relationship unique and the importance of removing departmental silos in an effort to generate productive research. He also expresses the need for community investment in research to ensure longevity and statistical significance for long term projects.  Quote of the Episode:  “I think science is our best honest effort to get to the truth” -Dr. Matt Menard

On the premiere episode of Open Up, Jess Drislane (CEO, The OpenScholar) speaks with Danielle Ciofani (Senior Director of the Data Sciences Platform, Broad Institute) about the importance of collaborative research and the reinvigoration of shared scientific resources amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic.  We discuss the power of experimentation in and out of the lab, building a community that focuses on collective achievements over individual successes and why scientists, including Einstein himself, are drawn to music and the arts.   Quote of the Episode: “The future doesn’t belong to any one lab; it belongs to the community.” -  Danielle Ciofani