Dr. James E. Dahlberg

Dr. James E. Dahlberg is recognized for a career that spans groundbreaking scientific research, biotech entrepreneurship, and visionary leadership. As Professor Emeritus of Biomolecular Chemistry at the UW–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Dr. Dahlberg's curiosity-driven research led to the discovery of a novel enzyme activity that became the foundation for more accurate and sensitive genetic diagnostics.

In 1993, he co-founded Third Wave Technologies, which licensed patents from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) to develop DNA-based diagnostic tools—including a transformative test that identifies high-risk strains of HPV associated with cervical cancer. The company's success culminated in its acquisition by Hologic for $580 million. Dr. Dahlberg’s innovations also helped enable Cologuard®, the at-home colon cancer test developed by Exact Sciences.

Through scientific rigor and entrepreneurial vision, Dr. Dahlberg has made lasting contributions to global healthcare while helping shape Wisconsin’s biohealth innovation economy.