Her Story
About Denise
Denise Dunlap has nearly 20 years of experience in academia, primarily in strategic management and international business. She earned her PhD from Temple University, where she focused on innovation and entrepreneurship in the biotech and med tech space, and she also attended Penn State. For the past nine years, she has held her current academic position at UMass Lowell in Lowell, Massachusetts. As an interdisciplinary research scholar, Dunlap collaborates with colleagues in business, engineering, and medical fields on new product development and biomedical technologies. Her notable work includes participation in NIH grants supporting smaller companies in commercializing innovations, as well as projects on point-of-care technologies during COVID, aging technologies, cardiovascular and blood disease technologies, and mental health technologies. She is a member of the Academy of Management, Strategic Management Society, and Academy of International Business. Dunlap values authenticity in her research and teaching, drawing from mentors who encouraged her to develop her own voice rather than following trends. She is also dedicated to mental health advocacy and broader health and wellness initiatives.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Denise
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The power of finding my own authentic voice and creating my own unique research and teaching streams rather than following trends or parroting others. Mentors challenged me to develop novel ideas and feel secure in questioning existing work.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You don't have to do everything right now; take your own pace and have a long life ahead. Balance family and career by focusing on one more at times. Pursue your authentic voice and passions even if not the safe or popular path, as that leads to true expertise and impact.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity, passion, societal impact, helping the underdog and paying it forward through mentoring, family, community, sustainability, nature, and spirituality. Valuing non-material contributions to society over material things.
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