Research Commercialization Fellowship

 

A program for advanced graduate and medical students to learn about and engage in the business of bioscience. 

Applications are now being accepted for our next cohort.  Please see below for selection criteria and how to apply.  Applications will be accepted until June 1, 2024 for the chort starting in Summer 2024.

 

 

Research Commercialization Fellowship

 

The Wallace H. Coulter Center for Translational Research (WHCC) is proud to sponsor the Research Commercialization Fellowship (RCF) program for advanced graduate and medical students at the the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSM). The fellowship is designed to identify and facilitate translation of innovative research conducted by UMMSM faculty and to provide UMMSM students with valuable training at the intersection of research and the business of life sciences.  The goals of this fellowship are to:

  • foster and build on a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at UMMSM;
  • identify innovative opportunities for disclosure and IP protection through the Office of Technology Transfer (OTT);
  • increase disruptive applications to the UM CTSI-hosted I-Corps@NCATS, the Launch Pad- hosted “From Idea-to-Monetization Accelerator” and the WHCC annual request for proposals;
  • foster development of translational scientists and physician-scientists through education in the business of life sciences and connecting to existing mentoring and career development opportunities.

Fellows will identify cutting-edge research with commercial potential and serve as a bridge to the U Innovation team, providing marketing and commercialization development support throughout the process for each respective technology.

Over the course of the year-long fellowship, fellows (UMMSM MD, PhD, MD/PHD students) will:

  • develop a database that catalogs areas of cancer research occurring at UMMSM;
  • develop materials to share with faculty and future fellows to increase awareness of translating their work beyond a publication or grant;
  • actively participate in group meetings with U Innovation leadership for appropriate training (commercialization, marketing, business, research);
  • generate technology reports, highlighting the research and its key advantages;
  • generate market research reports, detailing the competitive landscape, companies of interest, and overall market opportunity for the research of interest;
  • liaise and meet with faculty researchers and their teams;
  • assist with scheduling and attend monthly Concept to Commercialization seminars;
  • create training materials for future fellow classes;
  • engage in professional development opportunities with leaders from the biotech and investment communities.

 

RCF Leadership:

Will Silverman

Dr. William Silverman is an ion channels biophysicist who earned his PhD in Physiology at the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. After earning his MBA, he began a second career supporting entrepreneurs and advising startup companies at The Launch Pad, UM’s university-wide entrepreneurship center. In 2018, William joined U Innovation as the Executive Director, Coulter Program and New Ventures, where he works with medical innovators to accelerate translation and commercialization of promising biomedical technologies. In addition, Will is the co-founder of an angel investor supported fintech company serving online capital markets, and serves on the Southeast Chapter Leadership Committee of BioFlorida.

Artie Arumov

Dr. Artavazd Arumov is a trained clinical researcher and cancer biologist, and is an alumnus of UMMSM, where he completed doctoral training in Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center’s (UM SCCC) Jonathan Schatz lab. Dr. Arumov is currently a Principal at Qiming Venture Partners USA, an early-stage life sciences venture capital firm, where he helps guide investment decisions with a therapeutics focus. He is passionate about academic research commercialization and enabling the advancement of translational research for development of precision medicines.

 

Candidates for the program are evaluated against the following criteria:

  • Strong scientific / technical background
    • Fundamental understanding of a relevant bioscience discipline such as: Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, Diabetes, Infectious Disease, Immunology
    • Ability to dissect and identify key points from published literature
    • An understanding of clinical cancer treatment strategies preferred
  • Demonstrated interest in research commercialization
  • Enthusiasm and willingness to take on new challenges
  • Comfortable conducting informational interviews with individuals across the research spectrum (students, post-docs, PIs, clinicians, etc.…)
  • Commitment and availability for up to 8-10 hours per week (for a minimum of one calendar year)
    • Willingness to train and provide mentorship for subsequent cohort classes
  • Comfortable with a mix of remote and in-person work, as needed.
  • Relevant prior experience
  • Fellows must have passed their qualifying exam to apply.
  • Fellows must receive approval from their PI to participate.

Application Process:

Students interested in the RCF and who wish to learn more or to apply are encouraged to contact program leadership at coulter@med.miami.edu.

Applicants to the program should submit via email a copy of their CV and a letter describing their interest in the program, including motivations and goals.

Applications for 2024-2025 will be accepted until June 1, 2024 to start in Summer 2024.