Impact Stories

“[M]y time at Harvard ... immersed me in a vibrant, interdisciplinary, and intellectually stimulating community.”

As the Alfred D. Chandler Jr. International Visiting Scholar at Harvard Business School in 2023, I had the unique opportunity to delve into the history of the life sciences industry in the Cambridge-Boston area. My research focused on how key actors influenced changes within the local innovation ecosystem, shaping the field's trajectory. As an interdisciplinary scholar, I examined the evolving relationships among individuals and organizations that helped cultivate a world-leading industry at the technological frontier.

The fellowship significantly enriched my research through unparalleled access to archival resources, including the Henri A. Termeer Papers at the Baker Library. This access was transformative, offering a deeper historical perspective on life science innovation in the area. Additionally, the proximity to the Center for the History of Medicine at Countway Library and the Distinctive Collections at MIT allowed me to gain complementary insights into the scientific and technological foundations of the industry and the evolution of academic entrepreneurship.

Beyond archival work, I engaged with the living history of the Cambridge-Boston life sciences sector by connecting with key actors in the local ecosystem. I am deeply grateful to the scientists, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, legal experts and policymakers who generously shared their extraordinary experiences in building the local life sciences industry. These conversations added a human dimension to the archival data, illustrating the intricate web of relationships that enabled the rise of a world-leading cluster. They also provided a holistic understanding of how academic science, entrepreneurial spirit, risk capital, and serendipity fuelled groundbreaking discoveries and the growth of pioneering firms.

Through the Entrepreneurship and Global Capitalism course and the seminars of the Business History Initiative, my time at Harvard also immersed me in a vibrant, interdisciplinary, and intellectually stimulating community. Such engagements opened doors to new perspectives and networks in business history. Indeed, my fellowship experience also highlighted the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration and the ongoing dialogue between historical analysis and practice. By exploring the historical factors behind such local success, my study further aims to provide broader insights into how scientific discoveries translate into dynamic industries and invaluable therapeutics.