Precapstone: Business Ideas and Entrepreneurial Innovation

Steven Denkin is the director and research advisor in the Biotechnology Graduate Program at the Harvard Extension School. He received his BS and PhD in biological sciences with a concentration in microbiology from the University of Rhode Island. Denkin's dissertation, "Regulation of empA metalloprotease in Vibrio anguillarum," investigated physiological aspects of a bacterial fish pathogen under various environmental conditions including salmon gastrointestinal mucus. His postdoctoral training at Johns Hopkins University investigated the mechanisms of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). While working at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, he developed an assessment strategy for TB diagnostics, which he used to train laboratory technicians in Haiti. In addition to research accomplishments, he continues to enjoy teaching science courses to a diverse array of students in both secondary and higher education.

Nicolas Labovitis is an experienced educator, program architect, and higher-education consultant whose work bridges academia, industry, and innovation. He has taught at Harvard Extension School, Fitchburg State University, Suffolk University, and Endicott College, teaching graduate- and undergraduate-level courses in management, leadership, entrepreneurship, and artificial intelligence. At Harvard Extension School, Labovitis has developed applied learning experiences that integrate emerging technologies with business strategy. His broader work across multiple institutions has centered on designing and launching certificate and degree programs that align academic goals with workforce needs. As the founder of Ibex Finance, Labovitis consults nationally on educational partnerships, program design, and innovation strategy. He has collaborated with institutions such as Sacred Heart University, Maine Maritime Academy, Curry College, and Holy Cross College to create stackable credentials, online certificates, and employer-linked pathways connecting learners to real-world opportunities. Labovitis holds an MBA from Fitchburg State and a master of liberal arts (ALM) from Harvard Extension School. His teaching philosophy emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and ethical leadership, preparing students to navigate a rapidly evolving business and technology landscape with purpose and impact.