In this episode, we explore:
→ How evolution guides modern drug discovery
→ Why ground squirrels are going to space with NASA
→ The surprising advantages of doing biotech in Wisconsin
→ Building academic-industry partnerships outside major hubs
→ Creating scientific community in the Fox Valley
What is Fauna Bio?
Fauna Bio leverages millions of years of evolution by studying animals that naturally avoid diseases humans struggle with—from cancer-resistant elephants to hibernating ground squirrels that survive without eating for six months.
Connect with Ben
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-sajdak/
Fauna Bio
https://www.faunabio.com/
Fox Valley Science Society
https://www.tardigradesbookshelf.com/fv-science-society
Segments
00:00 - Intro
00:40 - What Fauna Bio Does: Using Evolution to Fight Disease
02:03 - Ben's Journey from Construction Worker to Biotech
03:08 - Why Study Disease-Resistant Animals vs Disease Models
04:16 - The Ground Squirrel Colony at UW-Oshkosh
05:35 - Hibernation Biology: From 300 to 3 Heartbeats Per Minute
07:02 - Academic-Industry Partnership Model
08:23 - NASA Space Mission: Sending Squirrels to Space
10:07 - Machine Learning and the "Convergence" Platform
13:04 - Sponsor Break (Headway)
14:10 - Spiny Mouse Research: Regeneration and Scar Prevention
16:44 - Wisconsin's Underrated Biotech Potential
18:11 - Breaking Down University Research Silos
19:57 - Community Building and Networking Challenges
23:14 - Showcasing Hidden University Research
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Interested in being a guest? Reach out!
Startup Wisconsin's mission is to connect, educate, inspire, and grow tech startup communities across the state, not just during events, but year-round. This podcast is part of that vision, creating deeper connections and sharing the knowledge that helps Wisconsin's startup ecosystem thrive.
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