Neural networks are important in nanotechnology, and Steve Papermaster also believes a blockchain based network can enhance results in the space. Getty Images

Steve Papermaster has roughly 30 years of experience as a career technology entrepreneur, public policy expert and author, which includes service as senior advisor to President George W. Bush concerning domestic and global strategy for innovation, technology and science. Today, the Chairman and CEO of Nano Vision, which focuses on delivery of nanotechnology-powered innovations, is working with his team on developing a company that uses blockchain technology to solve global health issues.

Papermaster is one of a growing community of blockchain enthusiasts who believes that an increase in regulation will benefit the market as a whole.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Papermaster about his work, his company, the team behind it, and his goals for the company.

What is it that made you decide to start a business focused on global health issues?

Papermaster: The way things are now isn't working. We're spending trillions of dollars every year for medical care, we're donating and spending billions of dollars on research each year, and we're not seeing the results that we should be. Certain organizations and governments are the ones getting the money for research and they are the ones deciding what the world's priorities are. If they decide cancer isn't a priority, they won't focus on it.

I wanted to change that. I wanted to start a business that would enable the sharing of real-time data and collaboration so that we could start getting real results.

Why did you decide to incorporate blockchain into the company?

Papermaster: Blockchain is now as fundamental as the internet. We open up massive molecular data from laboratories to collaborators globally and secure it. It has so many uses, so much potential, and so much power.

It was important that we use blockchain within the cure development process because it empowers the entire global community to share valuable and costly data. It is a tool that connects everybody. Not just a small subset of people--everyone. Because of that, blockchain enabled decentralized research enables acceleration of developing cures to diseases.

What kinds of people are you hoping will use the Nano Vision platform?

Papermaster: Every kind. We want everyone to use the Nano Vision platform. When I say, "the entire global community," I mean it.

Of course we want doctors and scientists and the world's "greatest minds" to get involved, but we want mechanics, teachers, and next door neighbors to get involved too. We want everyone using Nano Vision to work together, collaborate, and solve the world's greatest health challenges. We want both scientist and citizen scientists, as we like to call them, to get involved and work together to find the cure for cancer or to eradicate superbugs, and to help create solutions to the health issues that the world faces now and will face in the future.

Do you think diversity is key to success?

Papermaster: Absolutely! In fact, Nano Vision embraces diversity from the inside out. The entire team behind Nano Vision is incredible--they're critical parts of the company and help drive us forward. But, two of our leaders, in particular, are women who have carved incredible careers in science and marketing, and they are using their experiences--experiences that none of the rest of us have had--to build an inclusive company.

Christine Smid Scheve is the CSO of Nano Global, which is a group within Nano Vision, and her team leads the science for the development of our molecular data platform, and blockchain data and token minting of all data on our chip. She is an outstanding young leader on the Nano team--she is excellent. She has advanced degrees in computer science and nanotechnology, and has expertise across science and technology, making her a core part of our team.