Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President

Faculty Spotlight

Michael W. Fountain

USF Center for Entrepreneurship

College of Business Administration, Marketing Department

College of Engineering, Industrial and Managing Systems Engineering Department

College of Medicine, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Department

Undergraduate Degree

Honors BS, Samford University

Doctoral Degree

Ph.D., Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine

Previous Post(s)

Five most recent posts:

• Professor, Industrial and Managing Systems Engineering 2005-Present
• Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine 2005-Present
• Director USF Center for Entrepreneurship 2004-Present
• John and Beverley Grant Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship at USF 2004-Present
• Board of Directors, Kauffman Fellows Program (Center for Venture Capital Education) 1999-2005

Selected Published Works

59 published manuscripts and chapters and 31 U.S. and International Patents granted

Area of Specialization / Research

Interdisciplinary technology entrepreneurship, drug delivery systems, nano and micro encapsulation technologies

Current Course Offerings

• GEB 6115 : New Venture Formation
• EIN 6934 : Technical Venture Strategies
• GEB 6930 : Strategic Market Assessments for New Technologies
• EIN 6935 : Strategic Marketing Assessments
• GEB 6930 : New Product Development
• EIN 6934 : Product Development
• GEB 6930 : Entrepreneurship Strategy and Innovation

How and when did you first become interested in your field of study?

I have always been fascinated by the translation of new innovative research into products and services which help mankind. I became deeply involved as a pioneer in the biotechnology revolution in the 1970s and 1980s where I engaged in the development, manufacturing and commercialization of micro and nano-encapsulation of molecules for medical therapies of biotechnology molecules. This nodal intersection of science, medicine, engineering and business became structurally integrated into the DNA of my professional life. I realized that the most effective way to translate new innovations was through the development of interdisciplinary teams. This novel approach to education and training has carried forward into my current responsibilities at USF and has strongly influenced my philosophy and pedagogical approach to interdisciplinary entrepreneurship education.

What made you decide to pursue a career in higher education?

I have a life-long love of learning, pursuit of innovation and a strong commitment to educating and training our future generations of entrepreneurial leaders.

Why did you choose to be a part of the academic community at USF?

The opportunity to become the founding Director of the USF Center for Entrepreneurship at a young, vibrant research intensive university with a strong commitment to research and translation of new research innovation. I was drawn to the commitment of President, Provost and Deans of the Colleges of Business Administration, Engineering and Medicine to create an internationally recognized center of excellence in interdisciplinary entrepreneurship education that would educate and train entrepreneurial leaders for the State of Florida, the United States and Global Enterprises. I have enjoyed the flexibility to work across colleges to create new, innovative educational programs for our students. These programs are now recognized among the nation’s best entrepreneurship programs. In 2007 USF’s entrepreneurship graduate program was recognized as the number nine program among all graduate programs, number four among state supported institutions of higher education and in 2008 has been recognized as one of the nation’s best entrepreneurship programs for women.

What do you enjoy about teaching the students of USF?

I really love the diversity of our students. Their keen interest in learning how to apply the principles of interdisciplinary entrepreneurship to create their own careers gets me going every day. I love to be engaged in the evolving practice of entrepreneurship. I enjoy helping students gain insight into the process of entrepreneurship and an appreciation of the contributions of individuals from different educational and professional backgrounds to the creation of new ventures.

What do you like about the university community?

I enjoy the freedom to work across disciplines to develop unique education and training opportunities for our students. I also enjoy the privilege to engage our students in a variety of learning settings with members of the Tampa Bay business and professional communities. These partnerships help us to build strong bridges among our students, internal and external stakeholders. It also provides a continuing showcase of the breadth and depth of talent we have in our student population at USF.