Stephen J. Bares, PhD

Steven J. Bares, PhD, joined the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Board of Trustees in 2015.  Dr. Bares is the retired President and Executive Director of the Memphis Bioworks Foundation, a broad-based public/private partnership focused on the growth of bioscience research, education and commercialization. Coming from past executive roles in industry, Dr. Bares specializes in growth business management and new product development, and has led the development of more than 15 new technologies from concept through the entire technology development cycle for consumer and commercial markets. During his tenure, Bioworks operated a comprehensive program in technology commercialization comprised of incubation, mentoring, talent acquisition, and venture investing. He is co-founder of the Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, a middle/high school for 700 Memphis inner city children. Dr. Bares has served on several community boards, has authored nine patents, and published numerous business-related articles. He recently retired from the Office of Research at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center as Associate Vice Chancellor of Research and Entrepreneurship. Dr. Bares holds a Ph.D. and MBA from Oregon State University, and a BSc from Cal Poly Humboldt.