Foundation-funded professor leads UVA initiative to accelerate life-saving medical discoveries

Mark Esser, the Thomas A. Saunders Family Jefferson Scholars Foundation Distinguished University Professor and head of UVA’s Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology, is leading a new initiative to speed the development of breakthrough therapies. inspired by the “Shark Tank” model, the Manning Institute’s SPARK Tank competition will provide funding, mentorship, and industry expertise to help researchers translate promising discoveries into treatments that improve and save lives.