MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation is proud to introduce a new series of essays that highlight the profound impact of university innovation on the well-being of Wisconsin, the nation and the world. This series, “How Wisconsin Ingenuity Benefits the World,” marks WARF’s 100 years of advancing research and fostering collaboration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Kevin Conroy, Chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences, authored the inaugural essay, “How Wisconsin Ingenuity Is Shaping the Future,” which delves into the pivotal role that Wisconsin’s innovative spirit plays in driving scientific discovery and economic growth.
In his essay, Conroy highlights the deliberate efforts, strategic investments and collaborative spirit that have been the cornerstone of WARF’s mission for the past century. By transforming groundbreaking research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison into real-world applications, WARF has not only advanced science but also created economic opportunities that extend far beyond the state.
Conroy shares his personal experiences with WARF, from his time at GE Healthcare to his leadership roles at Third Wave Technologies and Exact Sciences. He emphasizes how WARF’s support has been instrumental in turning lesser-known scientific discoveries into transformative technologies. For instance, a variation of an enzyme discovered by Jim Dahlberg became part of the cervical cancer test developed at Third Wave and is now used in Exact Sciences’ Cologuard® test, which has screened over 19 million people for colorectal cancer.
WARF’s ability to bridge academia and industry has helped build a robust ecosystem that drives growth. Wisconsin’s recent designation as a federal tech hub is a testament to this collaboration. The strength of UW-Madison research, the supportive infrastructure of the University Research Park and the partnerships WARF has cultivated over the decades all contribute to this success.
While acknowledging challenges such as the need for more early-stage capital and the importance of attracting and retaining top talent, Conroy remains optimistic about the future. He stresses the need for ongoing investment in research facilities, streamlining partnerships and ensuring fair policies for inventors.
Looking ahead, fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, nuclear energy and life sciences will shape the future, and UW-Madison is well-positioned to play a leading role. Achieving this will require continued collaboration between the university, WARF and the private sector in an ecosystem where ideas flow freely, partnerships are encouraged, and solutions are efficiently brought to market.
Throughout the year, WARF will publish additional essays from various thought leaders, each offering unique perspectives on the impact of university research on global challenges. These essays, available at warf.org/WisconsinIngenuity, will highlight the importance of long-term investments in university innovation and the transformative potential of academic-industry partnerships.
About WARF
Celebrating a century of service in 2025, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) patents and licenses discoveries from UW-Madison research, manages an investment portfolio generated from licensing and investment proceeds, and provides annual grants to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Morgridge Institute for Research to support further scientific investigation and research. By driving collaborations among researchers, investors, industry and entrepreneurs, WARF commercializes innovations from campus through various initiatives. WARF Accelerator improves the commercialization potential of university intellectual property through industry engagement and investment in proof-of-concept milestones to validate market potential, demonstrate commercial value and de-risk technology. WARF Therapeutics partners with UW-Madison and Morgridge Institute researchers employing an industry-focused approach to improve the value propositions of drug candidates. WARF Ventures is an early-stage venture fund that invests in startups based on UW/WARF technologies. Learn more at warf.org.
