Inaugural Ernest S. Kuh Distinguished Lecture

Jul 14, 2024

Inaugural Ernest S. Kuh Distinguished Lecture

Welcome and Introduction

  • Speakers and Guests: Distinguished guests, students, faculty, and friends.
  • Sponsors: Berkeley chapter of the bioengineering society and a new group, Out in Science, Technology, Mathematics (O Stem).
  • Special Tribute: To Ernest S. Kuh, former dean of the college of engineering, professor emeritus, and trailblazer in integrated circuit systems design.
  • Kuh Lecture Endowment: Made possible by the generosity of Ernie and his wife Patine.

Ernest S. Kuh's Achievements

  • Impact on Electronics: Pioneering work in the design of integrated circuits (ICs).
  • Industry Contributions: Co-founded Cadence Design, translating his research into industry.
  • Academic Contributions: Taught and mentored 40 PhD students, served as Dean of Engineering (1973-1980).
  • Legacy and Honors: Member of national and Chinese academies of engineering, Silicon Valley Hall of Fame inductee (2008).

Kuh Family

  • Family Contributions: Sons Tony (electrical engineering chair at University of Hawaii) and Ted (investment banker and faculty at Haas School of Business).
  • Patine's Support: Recognized for supporting the college.

Keynote: Dr. Andy Grove

  • Introduction by Chancellor: Andy Grove, a legend in electronics and Silicon Valley, earned his PhD at Berkeley.
  • Achievements: Founder of Intel Corporation, author of six books, Time Magazine's "Man of the Year".
  • Social Contributions: Advocate for undocumented students accessing education and jobs.
  • Medical Contributions: Advanced research on prostate cancer, Parkinson's disease, and created a Master's in Translational Medicine degree program.
  • Special Recognition: Chancellor's Citation awarded to Andy Grove.

Andy Grove's Lecture Highlights

  • Title Explanation: Compares speed of medical developments to technology; coined term 'Andy Grove Fallacy'.
  • Main Issue: Economic impact of slow medical advancements on the US economy.

Key Points on US Medical System

  • US Life Expectancy vs. Cost: High costs but minimal improvements in life expectancy compared to other countries.
  • Government Agencies' Roles:
    • NIH: Responsible for medical science development; prioritization issues.
    • FDA: Ensures drug safety and effectiveness; lengthy and costly approval process.
    • CMS: Determines treatment reimbursement; obscure pricing procedures.

Challenges and Proposals

  • Regulatory Overreach: NIH lacks effective project prioritization, FDA's extended responsibility for drug effectiveness leads to high costs.
  • Big Data in Medicine: Need for open access to large data sets for better medical research and decision-making.
  • Economic Considerations: Investment and operational costs, comparison to the decline of other industries.
  • Recommendations:
    • Facilitate healthcare resource reallocation.
    • Ensure transparency and data-driven decision-making.
    • Teach healthcare economics systematically.

Concluding Remarks by Faculty

  • Gratitude for Andy Grove’s contribution to the forum and insights into healthcare challenges.
  • Post-Lecture Reception: Hosted by student co-sponsors with gratitude to all attendees.

Questions and Answers

  • Student Questions: Topics included balancing FDA approval processes, NIH funding arbitrariness, integration of electronic medical records, and government versus private sector roles in healthcare.
  • Andy Grove's Responses: Emphasized the need for structured judgment and performance evaluations, careful balance of government and private roles in healthcare, and cost-effective medical innovation.

Closing

  • Expression of Thanks: To Ernie and Patine Kuh for creating the lecture forum, and to Andy Grove for his participation.
  • Student Co-Sponsors: Bioengineering honors society and OSTEM.
  • Reception Invitation: Hosted outside in the Garborini Lounge.