The best scientific discoveries broaden understanding and lead the way to practical solutions for real-world problems. Often this requires a special effort by researchers to bridge the gap between theory and the application of knowledge.

I am one of the scientists who believe it is important to bridge this gap. I work toward this goal in a variety of roles, including as the founder of Hamza Mbareche Consulting, where I focus on helping businesses, schools and organizations understand the risks of airborne pollution and mitigate the danger.

As a scientific researcher of bioaerosols, the microbiome, molecular biology, genomics and bioinformatics, I have studied the hazards of airborne microbes intensely, making at least 20 significant discoveries along the way. I’ve learned that the key to improving the health of the planet, communities and people is sharing knowledge, and maximizing its benefits.

Along those lines, I believe it is important to tap into the research base provided by major companies. The private sector is where some of today’s most significant discoveries are being made. In addition, the amount of time required to bring such research benefits to market is substantially shorter than that of discoveries originating in university laboratories.

Academic and commercial research complement each other. Academic research is often driven by scientific curiosity and aims to explore fundamental questions in a particular field. It can provide a foundation for further research and development in applied fields. Commercial research, by contrast, often draws upon fundamental research findings to develop new products, processes, or technologies that can have a significant impact on industry and society.

We can see the benefits of scientific collaboration all around us. Academic research in biomedical sciences has contributed significantly to the development of new drugs, medical devices, and diagnostic tools in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Industrial research has enabled the translation of basic research findings into real-world applications, such as the development of new cancer therapies or vaccines.

In the technology sector, research in computer science and engineering has led to the development of smartphones, social media and artificial intelligence, which have changed the way people communicate, work and interact with the world.

Scientific cross-pollination between academia and industry has helped effectively target environmental issues, such as air and water pollution, climate change and habitat loss. Research on renewable energy sources has led to the development of exciting new technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease dependence on fossil fuels.

Cross-functional collaboration is essential within industries as well, especially those that involve interdisciplinary teams, such as healthcare, technology, and research and development. In healthcare, for example, interdisciplinary teams may consist of clinicians, nurses, researchers, and IT professionals who work together to improve patient care. In technology companies, cross-functional teams may include software developers, product managers and designers who collaborate to create new products.

While there may be differences in the goals and priorities of academic and industrial research, they both rely on similar research approaches such as hypothesis-driven research, data analysis and experimental design. The similarities between these approaches allow for knowledge transfer between academia and industry, as well as collaboration and partnership opportunities.

I believe we should cultivate such partnerships whenever and wherever possible. Like flowers in the spring, what blossoms is sure to be astonishingly beautiful.