Our Hopes and Dreams for FundScience
Without repeating our mission, we just want to say that we hope that we can make science more understandable and accessible to everyone. We hope that we can foster an environment where people get together to solve the tough challenges our society faces in terms of a brain drain and technological advancement. And we hope we can give some of the decision making skills to the public and away from the NIH and other large corporations. Who knows maybe in a few years with the help of the public we can fund our own drug trials, create our own research institute and spin off our own technologically advanced socially responsible biotech companies. We should realize that none of this can be achieved by a single individual and that the input of thousands and millions of people would help this cause become a force to be reckoned with. Think back to how opensource software began, and see how much of a run for it’s money this movement is giving to Microsoft, Oracle, etc…
Our Founders
David Vitrant
Executive Director
Executive Director
David Vitrant has been a scientist for over 10 years now. Working in a variety of fields and labs over the years. Currently he is in his last year of Graduate School in the Department of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh. As a CMU alumnus and scientist he is used to working in interdisciplinary fields and is the driving force behind FundScience. In his years as a researcher he noticed several things that led him to FundScience- Younger researchers were not being encouraged to stay in their research fields and become innovative (oversaturation).
- Science is a very closed and anti-collaborative in many aspects.
- There needed to be more interaction between scientists of all types and the public.
Mark Friedgan
CTO
CTO
Over the years Mark has been a software developer, consultant, manager and executive. In that time he has learned when technology works and when it doesn't. He has dealt with both successful and failed start-ups and is eager to apply successful entrepreneurial principles to the world of science. There is a clear need in science for alternative means of funding and publishing. I am confident we can create a platform for both.Board of Directors
Dr. Nathan Bahary
One of the greatest hindrances to the advancement of science is often the inability of an investigator to pursue unique insights, a new direction, or test a new concept for lack of funding. Especially in this time of greater budget constraints, the ability to identify and bring some of these ideas to fruition is a critical imperative. Hopefully FundScience can fill this niche, and provide that spark that sets the fire of creativity ablaze.Dr. Saleem Khan
I am excited about being involved with FundScience because of its potential to bring scientific/medical research to common people! Although many private foundations and charities currently fund research, there is a need for a more intimate involvement of common people in all aspects of such research. A long-term benefit of this approach will be the development of a personal stake for people in FundScience from the resulting benefits to society in large such as new treatments and cure for many serious diseases. I cannot wait to get involved in launching this initiative!Mr. Alex Goldstein
Alexander Goldstein is currently a Managing Partner at Pangea Ventures, LLC, a real estate private equity fund. Before joining Pangea Ventures, Mr. Goldstein cofounded CashNetUSA (www.cashnetusa.com). CashNetUSA has quickly grown to become one of the online leaders in payday loan services. In 2006, CashNetUSA was acquired by Cash America International, Inc. (NYSE:CSH), one of the brick & mortar leaders in short-term lending. Alexander believes that applying principles that makes a startup successful can work in the scientific process. By providing a small amount of seed funding, younger researchers can test new ideas. At the same time, we will be able to foster collaboration between researchers and encourage interest from the general public.
Ms. Deborah Moses
The intersection of social good and enterprise is a burgeoning area and one of great interest to me. FundScience's mission sits at this intersection. By opportunistically leveraging social networking FundScience enables us to affect how and where our research dollars go and ultimately transform the research equilibrium. This is an exciting prospect and I feel privileged to be part of the mission.Mr. Scott Leff
With a background in technology, business, and nonprofits, I'm fascinated by the way that FundScience innovatively combines all three. We are in the midst of a global upheaval that is democratizing, well, everything. FundScience extends this model to scientific research and enables individuals to connect personally with thier dreams for the next paradigm shift. That is truly social enterprise at its finestFriends of FundScience
Dr. Daniel Gaddy
Editor
Editor
The central goals of FundScience is to educate the public
regarding the scientific research that impacts their lives, and to
give the public a direct mechanism to influence the funding of this
research, thereby directly shaping the research that takes place. My
role on this site is to provide an “insider’s” point of view. I offer
the perspective of a young scientist at a pivotal point in my career.
As I enter the 3rd and final year of my fellowship, I will begin to
search for a “real” job in an increasingly competitive market. My
posts will attempt to discuss topics that are of interest to me,
ranging from the science itself to the politics that influence
science, and the jungle that is the job market for young scientists as
I navigate my way through it. The people behind FundScience have set a
lofty goal for themselves, but I am excited to be a part of it.Mrs. Irena Friedgan
COO
COO
Irena’s experience spans several industries including healthcare, financial services, and most recently, airlines. Over the years she has concentrated on balancing operational and financial efficiencies of small and large businesses and subsidiaries. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has an MBA from the Chicago Booth school of business.
© Fund Science 2008. Site design by David J Rush.