Researcher has an eye for translating innovation into practice

“Serendipity is the occurrence and development of events by chance in a beneficial way,” Rohrer said, citing examples from her own work. In one case, a dinner invitation led to an important discussion about ways to expand the life span of neurons. In another, a speech to a foundation that advocates for blind people led to an important funding connection for her work. “How can we cultivate the art of serendipity at MUSC?” 

Timing has also paid off for Rohrer. An idea for research involving macular degeneration went unfunded one year, she told the crowd, but thanks to publications that sparked new interest in her area, the next year, funding came easily. 

Rohrer’s speech was part of a larger celebration that not only included the induction ceremony into the MUSC chapter of the NAII but also highlighted a new fountain and brick wall near the main hospital. The wall is covered with black plaques representing patents linked with MUSC.

Michael Rusnak, executive director of the MUSC Foundation for Research Development, said the event is part of an effort to change the culture at MUSC. “It’s no longer teach, get grants and tenure,” Rusnak said. “It’s about applied and innovative research that will get us more attention in the area of funding and also keep the brightest and best to stay around. 

“We need more engagement with our community to let them know this is all happening so they can get involved. MUSC is and can be a better transformational institution for health care, for higher learning and for new ideas, a brand that can shape Charleston for the better, above and beyond what it is today.”

Rohrer said MUSC is already headed in that direction, noting that the world’s largest organization for the advancement of technology recently ranked MUSC fourth in the country in its Patent Power list.

“In today’s research and education funding climate, we need to be innovative and creative. MUSC has been forward thinking in that respect, generating more and more interest and more and more financial support through innovation and industry links.”

She left the audience with these words: “Let me close by challenging you all to cultivate the art of serendipity at MUSC – the time is right!”