The book “Bioconvergence Revolution” dives into the transformative power of bioconvergence in reshaping scientific research. With a focus on how integrating biology, digital technologies, and material science can accelerate research productivity, the book tackles pressing challenges such as ethical dilemmas, collaboration, and funding. Drawing inspiration from nature’s ingenious designs, she explores how these disciplines intersect to unlock groundbreaking scientific advancements. She also highlights the critical role of ethical standards and financial support in driving progress, using Israel’s innovation ecosystem as a key example. This engaging and interdisciplinary work is an essential read for researchers and scholars across industries and academia alike.

Nina, what inspired you to write this book?

I am a scientist by training and have a profound passion for digital transformation. Bringing both aspects together is particularly exciting to me as I firmly believe that through bioconvergence, we can significantly enhance research productivity and yield widespread benefits across various sectors. During my scientific career, I had the opportunity to explore various facets around fungal research, including but not limited to drug research. I investigated plant-microbe interactions and evolutionary aspects of fungal pathogenicity, to name a few. I truly believe that fungi are the unsung heroes in science, and we have only scratched the surface when it comes to maximizing their potential. Whether a project was focused on natural product research and fermentation or on high throughput sequencing and data analysis, the need for digitalization was clear many years ago.

The idea to write about bioconvergence materialized during my previous role as Chief of Staff to the Chief Science and Technology Officer at Merck, when I had the privilege of chairing a session on bioconvergence during the Curious Future Insight ^TM Conference in 2020. This experience allowed me to engage with thought leaders and innovators in the field, selected based on the challenges and opportunities I anticipate when merging scientific disciplines with digitalization. The exchange with leaders in the industry solidified my hypothesis on the challenges and opportunities and inspired me to prepare a book proposal and invite co-authors to contribute to the work in a truly collaborative piece of work.

The Digital Transformation MBA emphasizes innovation and interdisciplinary approaches. How did this program influence your perspective on bioconvergence?

I had worked in innovation for 7 years already by the time I started my MBA at GBS. Interdisciplinary collaboration has always been part of my work, so I can say I am very familiar with the challenges and opportunities this approach entails. The Digital Transformation MBA was an excellent fit for me as the focus on digital transformation was particularly attractive to me as it brings three components full circle: my science expertise, business acumen and data & digital. I selected modules where I learnt the basics of coding R and Python. This was frightening initially but exciting once I understood how to do it. This was enlightening as it stressed the importance of a digital culture and digital leadership. Emphasizing digital leadership is crucial to truly realize the potential of bioconvergence, as it empowers organizations to proficiently navigate the complexities of converging scientific disciplines and digitalization. Personally, I have a strong passion for digital leadership and am eager to explore this topic further by building on my recently completed MBA thesis, which focused on Digital Transformation Management.

As a GBS alumna, what advice would you give to current students or recent graduates who want to combine academic knowledge with impactful projects, such as writing a book?

Returning to the classroom has proven to be an exceptionally rewarding experience for a multitude of reasons. Beyond the outstanding curriculum offered by the program, the opportunity for peer learning has been instrumental in my development. The diverse backgrounds of our cohort have significantly enhanced the overall execution of the MBA, fostering a rich environment for collaboration and knowledge exchange.

I wholeheartedly encourage anyone looking to merge academic insights with impactful projects to seize this opportunity. Personally, I undertook three strategic approaches:

1. Select a Topic of Passion: It is essential to choose a subject that resonates deeply with you. Given the substantial time commitment required, your passion will be a vital driving force behind the project's success.
2. Integrate with Professional Work: Where feasible, align your project with your current professional endeavors, whether on a content or execution level. In my case, I was fortunate to achieve both. Collaborating with co-authors on this book not only enriched the content but also involved significant project management responsibilities.
3. Strategic Alignment with Thesis: Consider how your thesis can complement your project. I chose to focus my MBA thesis on Digital Leadership, a crucial element for driving successful bioconvergence. This alignment not only enhanced the relevance of my work but also contributed to my broader professional objectives.

By adopting these strategies, I have maximized the impact of my academic journey, and I encourage others to do the same.

For readers who may not be familiar with bioconvergence, how would you explain its potential to transform scientific research in simple terms?

Nature's amazing variety shows how powerful biological processes can be and what incredible results we can achieve by observing and learning from evolution. It serves as a natural laboratory, highlighting how important trial and error is for advancing technology. Bioconvergence is a new approach that combines biology with fields like engineering and computer science to enhance scientific research. By learning from nature and using technology, scientists can work together more effectively. This collaboration has led to major breakthroughs in the last twenty years, creating new markets and disrupting existing ones. With advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, discoveries are happening even faster. For instance, AI can quickly analyze large amounts of biological data to speed up drug development, and engineering can help create personalized medical devices. Overall, bioconvergence allows researchers to better understand complex systems, like the human body, and tackle challenges such as curing diseases and developing sustainable materials.

As highlighted in your book, bioconvergence brings up ethical challenges. Could you share an example?

Merck is tackling ethical challenges related to patient data in its data-driven business models by focusing on bioethics and digital ethics. The Merck Ethics Advisory Panel for Science and Technology (MEAP) guides ethical decisions based on scientific progress. To enhance its digital transformation, Merck also formed the Digital Ethics Advisory Panel (DEAP), which includes outside experts. The DEAP addresses ethical issues related to data, evaluates risks, and develops new policies. One of its first projects was creating a Code of Digital Ethics (CoDE) with 20 principles. A key issue is informed consent, which is challenging with big data and complex algorithms. To address these challenges, Merck is using the DEAP's expertise, the CoDE, and a risk assessment tool called Principles-at-Risk Analysis (PaRA).

Collaboration is key to bioconvergence. In your opinion, what is the most difficult aspect of fostering successful interdisciplinary collaboration?

The biggest challenge in promoting successful interdisciplinary collaboration is breaking down communication barriers. It's essential for people from different fields, like biology, chemistry, and data science, to share a common language and understand each other's core concepts and methods. This understanding helps facilitate effective communication and respect for each discipline's unique perspectives. For example, biologists focus on cellular processes, while data scientists emphasize data analytics. By fostering mutual understanding, teams can share insights and drive innovation, which is crucial for solving complex global issues like healthcare and climate change. Encouraging cross-disciplinary dialogue allows organizations to leverage diverse expertise for more effective solutions. Ultimately, supporting interdisciplinary collaboration enhances communication and drives innovation, helping organizations lead in scientific advancement. A strong digital leadership strategy is essential for achieving this collaboration.

During your research for the book, what is one surprising fact or insight you discovered that you believe would captivate readers, regardless of their background?

Researching for the book was a wonderful experience. I am deeply fascinated by nature and its diversity, and I learned a lot. A great example of nature-inspiring engineering is Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains, which were influenced by the Kingfisher bird. In the early 1900s, the Shinkansen traveled at speeds of 200 miles per hour, but entering tunnels created loud pressure waves. To reduce this noise, engineers designed the train's nose to resemble the Kingfisher's long, narrow beak, which allows the bird to dive into the water quietly. This design helps minimize pressure waves and improves aerodynamics. The Shinkansen supports the UN Sustainable Development Goal for Sustainable Cities & Communities and highlights the need for sustainable energy sources. If you visit Japan and ride the Shinkansen, you'll see how nature inspired this technology.

Thank you so much, Nina, for taking the time to speak with us and share your insights with the GBS community!