Post on 01-Nov-2014
description
Getting the public invested in science
OpenScience Summit 2010David Vitrant Ph.D. & Mark Friedgan
Why We Started FundScience
• The average age of NIH grant recipients is 42!• Few PhD and Post-Doc starter grants available• Few funding institutions provide money for
untested ideas• NIH, Biotechs, and Foundations
o Control most of the fundingo Usually fund large, well established labs or facilities.o Retain intellectual property
• I wanted my mom and friends to understand my research project
FundScience Goals• Provide research funds to future generations of
researchers• Create an ecosystem for scientists to collaborate
with each other and interact with the public• Enable public philanthropy through tactical
funding of small pilot research projects• Give public insight into the scientific process from
grant writing to results• Apply open source methodology to scientific
research
Getting the public invested in science
Accomplishments• Raised over $100,000• Established partnerships
o Pittsburgh Super Computing Centero Carnegie Science Center
• Round one of grant applications is in progress
• Received 501(c)3 status (Public Charity)• Press Coverage
o Scienceo The Scientist
Round One Projects• Elucidating the molecular mechanism of the
Glutamate Transporter through simulation and modeling o Researcher: Joshua Adelmano Institution: University of Pittsburgh
• Insights into multidrug resistant pneumococcal infections using comparative genomics o Researcher: Dr. N. Luisa Hillero Institution: Center for Genomic Sciences
• Spikerboxo Researcher: Timothy Marzullo o Organization: Backyard Brains
Where we want to be• Active community of scientists
and laypeople• At least 2 Project Submission
cycles a year• Premier source of alternative
funding for young researchers
The Team• David Vitrant Ph.D
o Founder and Executive Directoro Ph.D. in Geneticso Active in molecular biology and genetics
• Mark Alexander Friedgan o Founder and Chief Technology Officero Infoworld 2010 Top 25 CTOo Startup technology specialist
• Irena Friedgan o Chief Operating Officero MBA from University of Chicagoo Experience in Health Care and Financial Services
Sponsors and Partners
Questions
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