Big Red Podcast

Reweaving the Clothing Industry: Beth Esponnette ’10 is founder of unspun, a Series B startup that's transforming how we make clothing more sustainably - what unspun does, and why it's important for sustainable apparel - why she chose Cornell's fiber science and apparel major - the journey of building a Series B startup

AI and Health at Weill Cornell: Professor Fei Wang is Associate Dean for AI and Data Science at Weill Cornell, we chatted about: - why Cornell is the best university for AI health research - examples of how AI is used throughout Weill Cornell - Cornell's amazing culture of collaboration and innovation

Building the Data Layer for AI Agents: Chris Pisarski ’11 is Founder of Crustdata, an AI startup that provides B2B data for AI agents!! we chatted about: - importance of B2B data in AI workflows, helping AI agents access data - how to think bigger and move faster, to build momentum in the startup - the future of AI agents buying from AI agents

Commercializing Cornell's Breakthroughs: Loren Busby is Director of Weill Cornell's BioVenture eLab!! we chatted about: - innovation at Weill Cornell, how the BioVenture eLab help researchers and clinicians - how to commercialize research, through licensing, startups, and more - how academic successes translates to commercialization successes come to the Weill Cornell BioInnovate Conference on 4/23!! (registration info in comments)!! the most amazing research and commercialization!!

Rajni Aneja, MS ’85, helps Food Companies connect with Cornell Researchers, and organizes the Cornell Food Hackathon!! we chatted about: - how to start a startup in the food/beverage industry - the incredible resources at Cornell to help entrepreneurs - the amazing food hackathon, every student should participate

JD/MBA Law Firm Founders: Mehak Rashid, JD/MBA ’16, and Neil ODonnell, JD/MBA ’16, started the #1 boutique law firm in finance!! we chatted about: - what does the law firm do in fund formation and debt financing - how the law firm built financial expertise and help clients - writing airtight contracts and the importance of creativity

How to Get a Job: Lisa Rangel ’92 is an expert at finding work!! we chatted about: - how to find a job, the importance of networking - how recruiters and hiring managers hire the best talent - importance of the resume in the job process

AI for Human Health: Chethan Sarabu ’09 is building Cornell's Health Tech Hub, led by the incredible Tanzeem Choudhury!! we chatted about: - what is health tech, healthcare tech, and all the exciting AI advances - come to the Cornell Health Tech Summit 3/2-3/3, the #1 Health Tech Summit - why Cornell is the best university, for health tech research and innovation

Buz Barstow, PhD ’09, is a Professor-Entrepreneur, researches synthetic biology for bio-mining rare earths!! we chatted about: - the exciting advances in synthetic biology - how to commercialize research into startups - the future of innovation and research funding

The Engine of Democracy: Professor Alexandra Dufresne runs Cornell's State Policy Advocacy Clinic!! we chatted about: - how to pass legislation, through op-eds, white papers, legislator meetings, and more - the importance of the advocacy process, in a well-functioning democracy - scaling up the State Policy Advocacy Clinic, to more states around the country please reach out to Alexandra: - if you can guest lecture for the advocacy clinic or attend a advocacy training - if you're in another state, interested in starting a clinic, please reach out - Alexandra is starting an endowment, please reach out if you can support

From Research to Revenue: Tomer Joshua, MBA '25, transforms PhDs into Entrepreneurs at the Cornell Tech Runway Program!! we chatted about: - how PhDs can commercialize their research, and build a startup - the Runway Program, how PhDs benefit from the amazing curriculum and community - when to start thinking about entrepreneurship, how to first get started

Professor Meredith Silberstein started Cornell's Engineered Living Materials Institute!! we chatted about: - the power of biology in creating materials, to improve everyday life - interdisciplinary research, collaborating between different colleges - how to build a research institute, with an exciting research platform

Kristin Hook, PhD '16, is a Scientist, Running for Congress, for a 2nd time!! we chatted about: - why it is important to run for Congress, how to be a good public servant - how to build grassroots support, and recruit the volunteers and staff - what is science policy, and how the government is important in science

Betsy Lowe, MRP ’80, is Founder of the Wild Center, the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks!! we chatted about: - building grassroots support, political support, and raising $30m to build the Museum - how the museum grew over time, by adding more exhibits, and growing the membership - the NY Department of Environmental Conservation, and the importance of public service

Pam Marrone ’78 is a Serial Entrepreneur, she's sold 3 companies and took 1 public!! we chatted about: - how her new startup protects ecosystems from invasive species, by discovering microbes that kill the species! - the biologic pesticide industry trends, the distribution channels, sales processes! - her career trajectory, from PhD in entomology to serial entrepreneurship!!

Deborah Muller ’87 is Founder and CEO of HR Acuity, the leading employee relations HR software!! we chatted about: - the exciting HR function of employee relations, how every F500 company has an employee relations function now - working with Private Equity firms, how growth equity can help grow the company! - how she started the software business, transforming from consulting services to a software business!

Eli Lehrer ’98 is cofounder of a Think Tank in Washington, DC!! we chatted about: - what is a think tank? how to develop policy ideas - how to build expertise, and build credibility with policy makers - how to grow a think tank to 80 full-time staff

Akhil Iyengar ’26 dropped out of Cornell, to go through YC, and start a Startup!! we talked about: - how his startup helps retailers and PE portcos with pricing/promotion strategies - the YC accelerator, how it made them more ambitious and think bigger - what it was like dropping out of Cornell in his junior year Startup: https://www.operand.com/

Prashanth Chandrasekar, MEM ’03, is CEO of Stack Overflow, the top software developer community!! we talked about: - transforming the company from a B2C to a B2B strategy - how to keep a pulse on new AI trends, and adapt to them - how Cornell prepares us well to become CEOs Stack Overflow Internal: https://stackoverflow.co/teams/

Kim Bixler ’91 is making a new musical, featuring Brazilian body percussion!! we talked about: - what is Barba the Musical? how did you make the musical? - how did you navigate career changes? (going back to grad school at 52 years old!) - what is the networking and business side of musicals? Barba Musical: https://barbamusical.com/

Robyn Carter ’96 is a marketing trends and innovation expert, she helps the biggest brands understand their customers!! we talked about: - what are marketing trends, and how trends are manifested - how companies make new products, and adapt to new trends - how to start a consulting firm, and grow it over the decades

Hao Shi, PhD ’20, is founder of a Series A startup, Kanvas makes cancer therapy more effective, by improving the gut microbiome, we talked about: - the importance of the gut microbiome, the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy - scaling up the startup, from 2 cofounders to 30 employees, with clinical trials on the way - his personal journey from starting his PhD at Cornell and commercializing his research

Charles Stuppard ’82 is a Leader, in the military and in the Cornell community, we talked about: - building leadership skillsets, how anyone can become a leader!! - his personal journey to leadership, from Haiti to Cornell to the Navy and beyond! - how Cornell became the #1 university for veterans! the Cornell Military Network! - case studies on leadership, from Abraham Lincoln to leading 25 Cornell volunteers his new book "Sea Dog: A Seafaring Captain's Lessons in Leadership" is at https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Dog-Seafaring-Captains-Leadership/dp/1394248245

Laura Schoenle ’06 helps Cornell undergrads do research, we talked about: - the skillsets developed through undergraduate research!! - how her undergrad research experience influenced her career path, from high school teacher to PhD and beyond!! - how undergrads at Cornell can find research opportunities!!

Alex Martin ’89 is a biotech CEO, on a mission to cure a rare disease, we talked about: - building a biotech company, building the team (20 to 50 people!), fundraising (over $350 million!) - executive coaching, being a good sounding board, remove obstacles faced by team members - career path, from a government major at Cornell to a biotech CEO, 1st job, MBA, and more!

Debra Stern ’87 is the founder and executive director of Amani Public Charter School, a K-8 school in Mount Vernon, NY, we talked about: - importance of education, for equity and opportunities, and for bringing together the community - how her student leadership at Cornell led to a career in education administration - leadership opportunities as Cornell alumni, and service on the Cornell University Council!

Maria Fernandez, JD ’92, is New York State's Deputy Secretary for Education!! we talked about: - the importance of education and public service - benefits of going to law school, the skillset and the network - volunteering for Cornell (President's Council of Cornell Women!!)

Molly Morse ’03 is founder of Mango Materials, a Series B startup!! we talked about: - the science, sustainability, and business model of the startup - the process of commercializing research, the mindset changes - how to get more startups coming out of universities