Jeff Karp

Jeff Karp is a Harvard Medical School professor, pioneering biomedical engineer, and the author of LIT: Life Ignition Tools, who has developed over 50 patent applications by using nature-inspired approaches to solve complex medical challenges. His groundbreaking innovations include surgical glues inspired by slugs, tissue adhesives modeled after gecko feet, and drug delivery systems based on porcupine quills.

Innovation Inspired by Nature

Dr. Karp leads the Karp Lab at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where his team looks to the natural world for solutions to some of medicine’s most difficult problems. His nature-inspired approach has produced innovations that are transforming surgery, drug delivery, and regenerative medicine. He has been named to the world’s most influential scientific minds lists and has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and major scientific publications.

Teaching the World to See Differently

Karp’s work demonstrates that the most transformative breakthroughs often come from looking beyond your own field for inspiration. His book LIT provides a framework for overcoming creative blocks and developing the kind of curiosity and perspective-shifting that produces breakthrough solutions. His keynotes deliver inspiring presentations on nature-inspired innovation and creative problem-solving, overcoming mental blocks and seeing problems differently, building cultures of curiosity and experimentation, and the life ignition tools that unlock breakthrough thinking in any field.

Custom Keynote to unleash higher levels of personal and professional creativity, innovation, and ultimately a deeper sense of purpose.  Great for small corporate leadership retreats, association annual event general sessions, and niche specialty groups like K-12 educators, administrators, students, and Higher Ed.

LIT: Life Ignition Tools

Use Nature’s Playbook to Energize Your Brain, Spark Ideas, and Ignite Action