Stanford
Emergence Program

Faculty Collaborations

Translating research into commercial impact is a complex journey that requires significant effort and funding. That is why fewer than 5% of academic research initiatives in the U.S. successfully transition to commercial applications, with an even smaller fraction reaching a scale that can positively affect millions of lives.

This challenge, often referred to as the “Valley of Death,” involves hurdles such as developing sustainable business models, attracting founding teams, securing strategic capital, and effectively scaling operations. These issues are especially pronounced in emerging sectors, which demand innovative business approaches, public-private partnerships, and multidisciplinary collaborations.

At Emergence, we aim to bridge the gap between research and impact by collaborating with scholars and faculty to develop scalable solutions and connect them to a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Example Faculty Collaborations 

Regenerative Farming in Partnership with Local Communities

Collaboration with Dr. Desiree LaBeaud - Professor - University Medical Line, Pediatrics - Infectious Diseases Senior Fellow, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment Associate Dean of Global Health, Stanford University School of Medicine

Dr. Desiree LaBeaud’s research explores the connection between infectious diseases and climate change. She works with communities in Africa to address the impact of waste and climate change on global health. Through our collaboration, we are investigating solutions for a circular economy and regenerative farming in partnership with local communities.

Impact of Extreme Heat on Vulnerable Populations

Collaboration with Dr. John Openshaw - Assistant Professor, Infectious Disease - Medical School

Dr. John Openshaw’s research investigates the interplay among environment, health, and pathogens. He works closely with communities in Indonesia to examine the impact of extreme climate events on global health and to develop capacities for climate adaptation. Through our collaboration, we develop scalable solutions to mitigate the impact of extreme heat on the health of informal settlements and vulnerable populations.

 

Innovations in Food Is Medicine

Collaboration with Dr. Christopher Gardner - Director of Nutrition Studies at Stanford Prevention Research Center The Rehnborg Farquhar Professor of Medicine at Stanford University

Dr. Christopher Gardner's research is investigating the impact of diet on health outcomes. For more than two decades, he has been studying the potential health benefits of various dietary components or food patterns through large clinical studies. He also investigates how dietary patterns contribute to climate change, impact animal rights and welfare, and human labor abuses. Through our collaboration, we aim to inspire more innovations in Food Is Medicine (FIM) and develop partnerships with the healthcare ecosystem to incorporate FIM into patient care.

Equitable Access to Sports and Physical Activity

Collaboration with Dr. Yetsa Tuakli - Director of Stanford Sport Equity Lab

Dr. Yetsa Tuakli conducts research at the intersection of medicine, sports, and social equity. She investigates ways that everyone, regardless of background or ability, can access the transformative benefits of sports—well-being, social cohesion, good health, and personal growth. Through our collaboration, we develop scalable solutions to improve public health outcomes and social well-being through equitable access to sports and physical activity.