Translational Fellows

Program Overview

The TFP program supports 20% of the salary of selected SEAS postdoctoral researchers and research scientists for one year. This is a competitive, nomination-based postdoctoral research program that funds selected fellows for one day per week, providing them with the opportunity to pursue commercialization of a technology that originated in SEAS research. The program provides mentoring resources, conflict-of-interest (COI) management, and other support to maximize the opportunity to create a new venture. The TFP aligns resources available through Columbia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to accelerate the pace of technology translation.

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Study the commercial opportunity and potential markets of a specific body of IP generated through research
  • Connect with mentors and the CU entrepreneurship ecosystem
  • Assess the necessary technological development and the path to a minimal viable product
  • Build a founding team and become or recruit a business leader
  • Engage CTV on options including licensing
  • Meet advisors, fellow engineer-entrepreneurs, and potential investors to begin fundraising

ELIGIBILITY

  • Be a current postdoctoral associate at SEAS or a research scientist within 4 years of PhD
  • Have support of your research advisor
  • Conduct research with potential path to commercialization
  • Be a significant contributor to the technology proposed
  • Commit to a 20% (one day per week) effort
  • Be available for TFP programs

2019-2020 Translational Fellows

Dimitrios Fafalis, Department of Mechanical Engineering, in the laboratory of Professor Kysar

Wenxuan Liang, Department of Biomedical Engineering, in the laboratory of Professor Hillman

Xianbiao Liao, Department of Applied Physics and Mathematics, in the laboratory of Professor Yang


2018-2019 Translational Fellows

Kacey Ronaldson, Department of Biomedical Engineering, in the laboratory of Professor Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic 

Xiaokong Yu, Department of Civil Engineering, in the laboratory of Professor Huiming Yin

Jason Kahn, Department of Chemical Engineering/Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, in the laboratory of Professor Oleg Gang


2017-2018 Translational Fellows

Steven Miller, Department of Electrical Engineering in the laboratory of Professor Michal Lipson

Nalin Tejavibulya, Department of Biomedical Engineering in the laboratory of Professor Sam Sia

Shih-Ying Wu, Department of Biomedical Engineering in the laboratory of Professor Konofagou

Miguel Arroyo, Department of Computer Science in the laboratory of Professor Simha Sethumadhavan

 

2016-2017 Translational Fellows

Damiano Zanotto, Department of Mechanical Engineering in the laboratory of Professor Sunil Agrawal, designing footwear to
accurately perform gait analysis and regulate gait.

Alessandro Marone, Department of Biomedical Engineering in the laboratory of Professor Andreas Hielsher using vascular optical tomographic imaging to diagnose and monitor wound care.

Hirobumi Wantanabe, Department of Mechanical Engineering in the laboratory of Professor Jeffrey Kysar, creating a surgical tool to assist in cochlear implantation.

Sean Zhou, Department of Earth an Environmental Engineering in the laboratory of Professor Alissa Park, producing a system to manage slag and carbon emission of the iron and steel industry.