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Former Eli Lilly Executive August 'Gus' Watanabe Honored for Career Achievements, Support to Rose-Hulman
April 19, 2011
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has
recognized the career accomplishments of Dr. August "Gus" Watanabe,
former executive vice president of science and technology for Eli
Lilly & Company, by installing a commemorative plaque in Moench
Hall.
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Honoring Life Sciences Leader: Helping
unveil the plaque honoring Dr. August "Gus" Watanabe's
contributions to the life sciences and Rose-Hulman Institute of
Technology were (from left) his wife, Peg; James Baumgardt, former
Eli Lilly executive and former president of the Guidant Foundation;
Molly Gillam, senior applied biology major; and Lee Waite, head of
the Department of Applied Biology and Biomedical
Engineering. |
The plaque honors Watanabe for his support in
establishing Rose-Hulman's Lilly-Guidant Applied Life Science
Research Program. He played a major influence in providing the
scope and range of the research program for undergraduate science
and engineering students, according to James Baumgardt, former
executive director of business development for Lilly and former
president of the Guidant Foundation.
"Gus was a visionary who could see how Rose-Hulman could play an
instrumental role in the biological sciences and biomedical
engineering," Baumgardt stated. "He would be very proud of the
growth in Rose-Hulman's applied biology and biomedical engineering
program and the high quality of its graduates."
Watanabe was a renowned physician, researcher and professor who led
research and development at Lilly for nearly a decade, and was a
pioneer in the study of the cellular mechanics of the heart. He was
a member of Lilly's Board of Directors from 1996 to 2003. He joined
the Indianapolis-based company in 1990, and held several executive
positions in the company's research and development component prior
to assuming the role as President of Lilly Research Laboratories in
1994.
During his tenure as its head, the Lilly research and development
organization more than doubled in staff as Watanabe recruited a
number of the world's top biomedical researchers to the company.
Under his guidance, Lilly launched 11 important new pharmaceutical
products and, upon his retirement, Watanabe left the company well
positioned with a rich pipeline of innovative drugs in
development.
Watanabe supported the establishment of Rose-Hulman's Lilly Applied
Life Sciences Research Center in 1994, with a five-year $125,000
grant, to encourage faculty and students to investigate problems
and pursue projects in the life sciences. The center provided a
critical component to encourage the establishment of the Department
of Applied Biology and Biomedical Engineering. In 2001, the initial
grant was renewed and expanded to $150,000 through assistance from
the Guidant Foundation and the program was renamed the
Lilly-Guidant Foundation Applied Life Sciences Research Center to
reflect that partnership.
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| Remembering A Legend: A plaque located in
Moench Hall on the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology campus
commemorates the role Dr. August "Gus" Watanabe played in helping
establish the Lilly-Guidant Applied Life Science Research
Program. |
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"Dr. Watanabe played a crucial role in
establishing the hands-on and research qualities that have been an
important part in Rose-Hulman's applied biology and biomedical
engineering program," said Molly Gillam, a senior applied biology
major from Lafayette who has completed several research projects
during her undergraduate career. "Dr. Watanabe continues to serve
as a role model for all of us to pave a path of scientific
discovery that benefits others."
Following his retirement from Lilly, Watanabe remained active in
the biomedical field, until his death on June 9, 2009. He served as
chairman of BioCrossroads, co-founder of Marcadia Biotech, partner
in Twilight Venture Partners, and a director of Ambrx, Endocyte,
QuatRx, and Kalypsys. He was also a senior advisor to Frazier
Healthcare Ventures. He also remained active in the community,
serving as a director of the Regenstrief Foundation, Christel House
International, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
The mission of Rose-Hulman's Department of Applied Biology and
Biomedical Engineering is to educate, challenge and support
students in a multidisciplinary environment so they will be
prepared to lead in the fields of biology and engineering.
Biomedical engineering integrates concepts from engineering,
mathematics, computer science, the natural sciences and medicine
with the ultimate goal of improving human health and quality of
life. It leads to careers in designing artificial joints and
organs, designing computer systems to monitor patients or designing
new medical imaging systems.
Find out more about Rose-Hulman's Department of Applied Biology and
Biomedical Engineering at www.rose-hulman.edu/abbe.