Book Talk | Betting the Farm: How a Maverick Entrepreneur and a Band of Scientists Changed Agriculture Forever
- Sponsor
- University of Illinois College of Law, Innovation Law and Technology Program; Bock Agricultural Law and Policy Program
- Views
- 35
- Originating Calendar
- College of Law - Lectures Calendar
"Betting the Farm: How a Maverick Entrepreneur and a Band of Scientists Changed Agriculture Forever"
Featured Speakers
Janice Kimpel (ACES '77)Professor Jacob S. Sherkow (moderator)
College of LawProfessor Bryan Endres (moderator)
ACESThe Innovation Law and Technology Program and the Bock Agricultural Law and Policy Program are proud to host Dr. Janice Kimpel (ACES ’77) to discuss her new book, "Betting the Farm: How a Maverick Entrepreneur and a Band of Scientists Changed Agriculture Forever." Two scientists offer an eyewitness account of the early agricultural biotechnology revolution, describing how they and other leading academics were recruited to turn emerging genetic science into viable genetically modified crops. The story shows how scientific ambition collided with law and regulation, as shifting government policies, financial rules, and market forces created unintended consequences that shaped what technologies could survive. Through the rise of Agrigenetics, the book highlights how scientists, entrepreneurs, and legal frameworks together determined the trajectory of modern agricultural biotechnology.
This event is free and open to the public; registration is not required.
Books will be available to purchase. Lunch will be provided (while supplies last).
About Dr. Janice Kimpel
Janice received her BS in Botany from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1977 and her PhD in plant physiology in 1982 from the University of California, Davis. She spent two years as a post-doctoral associate learning the emerging plant molecular-biological techniques before taking an assistant professorship at Oregon State University in Botany & Plant Pathology. She was lured to the position of External Contracts Research Manager at Agrigenetics in 1985, which her academic colleagues thought ill-advised. She enjoyed the excitement of working with cutting-edge researchers, like Adrienne Clarke, while learning about the patenting process and the importance of intellectual property in the business world. After leaving Agrigenetics, Janice began a career in technology transfer and business development at the University of Georgia. After becoming a Registered Patent Agent with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, she worked for three years at an intellectual property law firm, and then joined a start-up biotech vaccine company as Vice President for Business Development, managing a large patent portfolio and rising to the Office of the CEO. She now consults regularly for start-up biotechnology companies.