What do football, physical therapy, orthopedic surgery, and startup acceleration have in common? For Dr. Sam Ward, they’re all chapters in a career defined by curiosity, collaboration, and impact.

In this episode of Bizzy Scientist, Dr. Nora Safa sits down with Dr. Ward—Vice Dean for Research at UC San Diego’s School of Medicine and a leading voice in translational medtech—to talk about his unique path from engineering student-athlete to biomedical innovator.

They discuss:

• Why medtech innovation needs clinicians, engineers, and business minds working as equals

• How to navigate UC San Diego’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and choose the right accelerator

• What makes the Device Acceleration Center and MedTech Council vital entry points for startups

• Why parenting, equity, and career-building need to coexist—not compete

• How the university can better prepare students to think commercially from day one

• The potential (and risks) of wearable sensors, wireless health tech, and patient-generated data

Dr. Ward also reflects on the future of science as a team sport, the importance of early exposure to STEM, and why the best innovations often come from unexpected intersections.

Whether you're an academic founder, clinician with an idea, parent in STEM, or just curious how big ideas become real solutions—this episode offers an inspiring look at innovation that spans disciplines, generations, and goals.

🎧 Listen now and stay Bizzy.