A Cornell alumna and specialist in early-stage investment in medical devices and diagnostics will deliver the 2006 Raymond G. Thorpe Lecture, sponsored by Cornell's School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Rebecca B. Robertson '82 will speak on "The Value in Innovation and Entrepreneurship" Nov. 9 at 4:30 p.m. in 155 Olin Hall.

A reception prior to the lecture will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Fred H. Rhodes Lounge in Olin Hall. Both events are free and open to the public.

Robertson has 23 years of venture capital and operating experience in medical products as an engineer, entrepreneur, corporate executive and investor. Before co-founding Versant Ventures, a medical devices company, Robertson was a general partner at Institutional Venture Partners (IVP).

Robertson has served as a director of Pro Duct Health, Appriva Medical, Quantum Dot and Coalescent, and she currently serves as a director for NeoGuide, Myocor, Rosedale Medical, Liposonix, Benvenue, OraMetrix and Spiration. She also serves on the Cornell Engineering College Council.

The lecture is given in honor of Raymond G. Thorpe, who retired in 1989 after 39 years on the faculty. Thorpe twice received the College of Engineering's Excellence in Teaching Award and was selected by each of the first four presidential scholars from chemical engineering as the faculty member who most influenced them during their careers at Cornell.