Innovative Insights: Kristofer Mussar of VectorBuilder on Disruption
Written on
Chapter 1: The Power of Collaboration
In the realm of significant disruptive changes, whether beneficial or detrimental, it's rare for a single individual to effect such transformations alone. The most substantial advancements usually stem from the collaboration of diverse groups. A more varied team leads to a more comprehensive organization.
As part of our series featuring influential business leaders, I had the privilege of interviewing Kristofer Mussar, the Managing Director of VectorBuilder GmbH and COO of VectorBuilder Inc. He joined VectorBuilder at its founding and established VectorBuilder GmbH a year later, managing operations ever since. With a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from the University of Georgia, where he specialized in Epigenetics and Evolution, he also earned an MBA from the Terry College of Business.
Thank you for joining us! Before we dive deeper, could you share a bit about your background and what inspired your career choice?
I was fortunate to witness two groundbreaking scientific milestones during my youth—the emergence of the internet and consumer computing, as well as the Human Genome Project. For my generation, these events were akin to the moon landing; they profoundly influenced my educational and career decisions.
While navigating academia, I had the privilege of being mentored by Dr. Carl Woese, a brilliant scientist whose guidance significantly shaped my trajectory. Initially, I pursued a medical career, but my perspective shifted dramatically after attending a graduate-level course during my senior year. Dr. Woese's class attracted students from various disciplines, and I saw how those from fields like business, psychology, and engineering were captivated by his lectures on evolutionary genetics.
This experience ignited my passion for evolution and genetics, steering me away from the conventional medical school route. It was serendipitous, as the field of bioinformatics was just emerging. Dr. Woese's mentorship and the introduction to bioinformatics broadened my understanding of how I could make a difference.
As William S. Bragg famously stated, "The most important thing in science is not so much to obtain new facts as to discover new ways of thinking about them." This shift in thinking has been pivotal in my journey.
Section 1.1: Disruption in the Life Sciences
What makes your work at VectorBuilder disruptive?
At VectorBuilder, our mission is to render traditional cloning methods obsolete in everyday life science laboratories. To maintain our innovative edge and expand the frontiers of research, we must continuously evolve our approaches to scientific inquiries and methodologies.
Research papers no longer focus on vector construction, so we need to transform how scientists tackle their projects. By leveraging our services and expertise, we aim to assist in building complex gene delivery systems, enabling researchers to pose challenging questions that drive significant advancements.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Importance of Adaptability
Section 1.2: Learning from Mistakes
Can you recount a humorous mistake from your early career and the lesson learned?
Oh, there have been many! One particularly memorable incident occurred during my first oil change in Europe. Unlike the quick service typical in the US, this experience was quite different. After moving to Germany to establish VectorBuilder's international office, I encountered a learning curve regarding car maintenance.
I quickly realized that the oil quality in Germany was superior to what I was used to, meaning that oil changes were only necessary once a year, as opposed to the 3,000-mile interval I had been taught. When I saw the bill, I experienced sticker shock, thinking I had been misled due to my unfamiliarity with local customs.
However, reflecting on this experience reminded me of Dr. Woese's teachings—embracing new perspectives to solve common issues. This incident, along with many others while expanding our international presence, highlighted the importance of being open to new approaches and recognizing that traditional methods are not always the most effective.
Chapter 2: The Role of Mentorship
Who have been your mentors, and how have they influenced your career?
As previously mentioned, my mentor was Dr. Carl Woese, an extraordinary figure in microbiology and biophysics renowned for transforming phylogenetic taxonomy. He illuminated the advantages of interdisciplinary research, fostering collaboration among students from various fields.
Dr. Woese's approach in evolutionary genetics brought together bright minds from diverse backgrounds, allowing for rich discussions on our evolutionary journey. He demonstrated that inquiries from different scientific disciplines could yield novel approaches to solving scientific challenges, such as how physicists can analyze cellular energy kinetics.
Section 2.1: Understanding Disruption
In today's context, being disruptive is often viewed positively. However, can disruption be detrimental? When do we acknowledge that certain structures have endured over time?
Disruption, when viewed positively, is linked to innovation. To foster maximum creativity, one must be willing to relinquish established structures to explore the unknown. Challenging conventional practices allows us to develop new standards that can guide the industry until the next breakthrough emerges.
Conversely, disruption can have negative consequences. Once a disruptive innovation occurs, the next step is execution. If the disruptive action becomes counterproductive to advancing knowledge, it ceases to be beneficial.
Imagine a scenario where researchers agree upon a classification system to standardize descriptions across cultural and linguistic differences. If a single lab adopts a different system that makes sense to them but confuses their peers, it can hinder knowledge evolution and innovation.
Essentially, while disruption and innovation are essential, successful execution is vital; otherwise, we are left with great ideas that go unheard.
Section 2.2: Five Strategies for Industry Disruption
Can you share five strategies for shaking up an industry?
- Innovation — Embrace creativity and think unconventionally. There are always new solutions to everyday challenges; we must continually strive to think outside the box.
- Expertise — Relevant experience is essential for progress. It fosters critical thinking, builds confidence, and instills trust, which is crucial for collaboration in scientific research.
- Compassion — Demonstrate genuine concern for your clients' success. Our products and services should empower them to push the limits of innovation.
- Customer Service — Exceptional customer service is often lacking in our industry. Providing outstanding support distinguishes a company and fosters customer loyalty.
- Teamwork — Significant disruptive changes, whether positive or negative, are rarely achieved by individuals alone. The greatest advancements typically result from collective efforts and diverse perspectives.
We know you're just getting started. How do you plan to continue shaking things up?
Indeed, we are only at the beginning. VectorBuilder initially served as a free online resource for researchers to explore molecular biology and gene delivery techniques. Since then, it has evolved into one of the largest online e-commerce platforms in the industry. Our ongoing mission is to eliminate the physical process of vector cloning, allowing researchers to focus on the critical scientific questions that will lead to groundbreaking discoveries.
Section 3.1: Influential Literature
Have you read a book, listened to a podcast, or attended a talk that significantly influenced your thinking? If so, can you share how it impacted you?
Nassim Taleb's The Black Swan has profoundly shaped my perspective. The book addresses the impact of rare and unpredictable outlier events, human tendencies to oversimplify, and the limits of human understanding.
I appreciate its relevance to both scientific and business contexts, which has encouraged me to approach problems with an open mind. Rather than dismissing outliers, I strive to understand their origins. I read this book while pursuing my MBA, and I still apply its lessons in my work today, even referencing it in a recent meeting about bottlenecks. It illustrates that we never truly know what the next significant discovery will be.
Section 3.2: Life Lesson Quote
What is your favorite life lesson quote, and how has it resonated with you?
"Anything worth doing, is worth doing right." — Hunter S. Thompson. This quote speaks for itself. Never undertake a project unless you are committed to giving it your full attention and effort.
Final Thoughts: A Movement for Good
As someone with considerable influence, if you could inspire a movement to benefit the most people, what would it be?
My movement would center on the Golden Rule—treating others as you wish to be treated. While I could propose a more complex initiative, I believe simplicity can lead to the most significant positive change. My experiences across the globe have shown me that fostering kindness and understanding can lead to a flourishing society, even in scientific fields.
How can readers stay connected with you online?
Readers can follow VectorBuilder's updates on our website and social media platforms: VectorBuilder Facebook, VectorBuilder LinkedIn, and VectorBuilder Twitter.
Thank you for this inspiring conversation!