Tom Skalak, Bainbridge Island, WA. Bioengineer/Writer. Skalak is the founding Executive Director of The Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, launched in 2016. The Frontiers Group, based in Seattle, seeks to explore new frontiers, reinvent fields in ways that reflect major societal challenges and fundamental scientific curiosity, and bring new knowledge to light with a broad array of global partners, making a positive impact on the world. A major interest of the Frontiers Group is the growing landscape of quantitative bioscience. Previously, Skalak was Vice President for Research at the University of Virginia, where he led research and innovation programs spanning biosciences, environmental sustainability, physical sciences, engineering and technology, arts, design, and humanities. He led the launch of the OpenGrounds collaboration initiative, bringing people together across fields for ideation; the statewide i6 Virginia Innovation Partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce; and the Global Water Games, a participatory computer game that improves the health of watersheds worldwide. Skalak is a past President of both the American Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) and the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), representing over 60,000 professionals. He is a frequent speaker on innovation and creativity with Fortune 500, venture capital, major art museum, foundation, and government partners, including The White House. Skalak was originally educated as a bioengineer, with minor studies in Art History. He has learned four languages, looks forward to surfing and sailing, and enjoys boating with his family in the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest.