From the Podcast: Can You Be a Top Scientist and an Innovator? A Conversation with Henri Leinonen and Tarja Malm (UEF)
In the very first episode of the University of Eastern Finland’s Innovation Pathways podcast, a bold question takes center stage: Can you really be a top scientist and an innovator at the same time?
The conversation brings together two researchers approaching innovation from different points in their careers – Professor Tarja Malm from A.I Virtanen Instute and Dr. Henri Leinonen, Research Council of Finland Fellow and group leader at the School of Pharmacy. Guided by host Minna Hendolin, Director of Impact at UEF and a seasoned innovation veteran, the episode offers a candid and practical look at how academic science and real-world impact can grow side by side.
Innovation Isn’t a Career Switch — It’s a Mindset
For Professor Malm, innovation didn’t start with educational background. Instead, it grew naturally through hands-on exposure during her PhD and postdoctoral work in a research group that actively collaborated with industry and launched companies. That early experience shaped how she now leads her own lab – embedding industry awareness, structured documentation, and intellectual property considerations directly into everyday research practices.
Dr. Leinonen´s journey took a slightly different route. With a background in pharmacy, commercial thinking was already part of his professional DNA. But it was his postdoctoral experience in California that truly reshaped his perspective. There, he found a culture where mingling between academia, startups, and industry wasn’t seen so risky.
His key realization? You don’t need to wait until later in your career to think about impact. You can stay deeply committed to fundamental research while still being curious about how your work might matter beyond academia.
Breaking the Myths Around Commercialization
Both guests highlight common misconceptions that often hold researchers back.
One major myth is the idea that commercialization requires personal financial risk. In reality, researchers typically invest time and effort – not their own money. Investors, angel funders, and venture capitalists usually take on the financial risk.
Another misconception is that innovation only begins once a product is nearly finished. In practice, commercialization is often a long learning process. It involves understanding real-world problems, challenging assumptions, and gathering validation data that may not always feel “publishable,” but is essential for real-world application.
As Professor Malm explains, academic discoveries are often just the very first step in a long translational pathway – especially in fields like drug development, where extensive safety and validation studies are critical before anything can move forward.
Many Paths from Ideas to Impact
There’s no single “correct” route from research to innovation.
Professor Malm describes working across a wide range of industry collaborations, consortium projects, and proof-of-concept initiatives. These experiences not only brought in external funding, but also introduced her team to industry timelines, milestones, and expectations –shaping how the lab operates on a practical level.
Dr. Leinonen mentions than rather than licensing or “selling out” ideas early, he sees more value in developing inventions further within academia – even toward a spin-off – to reduce risk and strengthen the science before partnering with industry.
Both agree on one thing: proof-of-concept funding plays a critical role. It allows researchers to “de-risk” ideas, generate validation data, and build stronger foundations without immediately giving up ownership or control.
Failure as Redirection, Not Defeat
Innovation, like research, is full of uncertainty.
Dr. Leinonen reframes failure as “redirection.” Sometimes the science is solid, but the timing or use case isn’t right yet. The work still feeds back into academia, generating better questions, refined hypotheses, and stronger research.
Professor Malm echoes this, noting that even “failed” side projects often lead to unexpected collaborations, discoveries, or new funding opportunities. Engaging with non-academic environments expands what’s possible – even when the original commercialization goal doesn’t materialize.
You Don’t Do Innovation Alone
Both guests emphasize the importance of institutional support and innovation ecosystems.
At UEF, innovation services help researchers explore ideas without pressure to commercialize too early. The real value lies in access to people, networks, and conversations – whether that’s pitching to investors, refining proposals, or understanding what industry partners are actually looking for.
Early feedback, especially from investors and company representatives, often provides the clearest signal of what’s needed to move an idea to the next stage.
Science and Innovation Strengthen Each Other
So, can you be a top scientist and an innovator at the same time?
The answer from both speakers is a confident yes – if innovation is approached thoughtfully.
Rather than distracting from scientific excellence, innovation can sharpen it. Being forced to explain why your research matters, who it could help, and what assumptions it relies on often reveals new gaps – and those gaps become powerful new research questions.
As Minna Hendolin concludes, innovation isn’t a separate track. It’s an extension of scientific curiosity and part of academia’s broader responsibility to society.
For researchers at any stage of their careers, the message is clear: if you have an idea with potential, talk about it. Reach out to your supervisor, connect with innovation services, and start the conversation. Your innovation journey might begin sooner – and more naturally – than you think.
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Full audio available at:
Youtube: Innovation Pathways: What happens on the journey from idea to impact?
SoundCloud: Stream episode Innovation Pathways: What happens on the journey from idea to impact? by University of Eastern Finland podcast | Listen online for free on SoundCloud
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