What’s the Buzz?! Designing the Next Innovation Ecosystem
In this episode of What’s the Buzz?!, we’re joined by Roy Zwahlen, a strategic leader working at the intersection of innovation, execution, and ecosystem design in the life sciences.
Drawing on his roles as Interim Executive Director, Chief Strategy Officer at Eshelman Innovation and Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships and Risk Management at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Roy brings a practitioner’s perspective on what it actually takes to translate research into real-world impact. The conversation explores how innovation ecosystems are intentionally designed—not just funded—and why strategy, governance, and operational excellence matter as much as breakthrough science.
We discuss how academic institutions, industry partners, and global collaborators can better align incentives, manage risk, and move discoveries beyond the lab.
