This fall, the MIDP was thrilled to welcome two new students. Michael Bolus, PhD was born in Nashville, but later relocated to Birmingham, Alabama. He attended the Universty of Alabama to receive a degree in Chemical Engineering. Accepted into a collaborative Neuroenginnering PhD program between Emory University and Georgia Tech, Dr. Bolus focused his doctoral research at the intersection of physiology, computational neuroscience, control theory and software engineering. Adding to this remarkable pedigree is Dr. Bolus' interest in the arts. An accompished photographer and musician, he has been a member of an a capella singing group and has played the guitar in a band with his brother. His ability to develop his own black and white film has elevated his photographic work.

Nate Kelm, PhD is a native of Texas who attended Baylor University. Upon completing an undergraduate degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dr. Kelm was accepted in the Biomedical Engineering PhD Program at Vanderbilt University. Life moved forward at the rate of marriage (to Jessica!!), children (two girls and a boy!!) and a prestigious position at Insightec as a Clinical R&D specialist. The MIDP was so pleased to have Nate's extensive experience in neurosurgery treatments with the use of an MR-guided ultrasound device to join the expereinces of our other very accomplished medical students. 

How great to watch Dean Brady, Exectutive Vice President of Educational Affiars at VUMC and Dr. Kim Vinson, Associate Dean for Diversity Affairs welcome our students to campus on White Coat Day!

The Medical Innovators Development Program is pleased to announce that the new Course Director of Innovation Activism, Dr. Charleson Bell, is including content related to altruism in a class formerly taught by the much beloved Dr. Matthew Walker. Given Dr. Bell's vast expertise and roles across the School of Engineering, Dr. Bell will also serve as Associate Director for MIDP, Engineering. A triple graduate of Vanderbilt University, assistant professior of biomedical engineering, and National Science Foundation I-Corps consultant at the Wond'ry (Vanderbillt's Innovation Center), Dr. Bell is perfectly situated to advise MIDP students about customer discovery and innovative practices. 

Dr. Bell began his own career as an entrepreneur while he was working on his PhD in 2012. As the first Vanderbilt graduate student to receive venture capital funding to start his company, BioNanovations, he found a way to detect bacterial proteins 96 times faster than current diagnostics. Rapid detections would allow physicians to diagnose and treat without waiting on blood test results. A QR-Code would make this technology compatible with smartphones. 

To further his company, Charleson applied to and entered the National Science Foundation's National I-Corps program. Honing the entrepreneurial skills of commercializing technology, client needs, teamwork, collaboration across disciplines and public speaking allowed Charleson the full range of innovation experience. 

Kicking off their fourth year of medical school in a big way, Adam Hetzler, Emily Thomas and Hunter Sceats applied for and won at I-Corp Site Program grant. This program is open to the entire Vanderbilt community and represents a partnership between the Wond'ry, the Institute for Surgery and Engineering and the National Science Foundation. The MIDP Fourth year medical students received this grant to further their business model, Expected Value. 

Expected Value's business model has been exceptionally successful, winning a total of 4 pitch contests in the months since the inception of their LLC. Through the Vanderbilt I-Corp Site Program, the Expected Value team will receive non-dilutive funding of $2,300 and a pathway for further mentorship and guidance through the National I-Corp program where the team will receive an additional $50,000 funding. It is also noted that work through this program increases the liklihood of companies receiving future SBIR and STTR grant funding. 

As per his life philosphy, Dr. Trent Rosenbloom, Associate Director of MIDP, lived the lovliest of summers. Spending time at the same summer camp that he attended as a child, Camp Nebagamon, Dr. Rosenbloom was able to return as the camp physician. Staying with his family and dogs at a place that had remained much the same since he attended as a camper. As usual, his photographers eye was sharp. Braving tics and bushwhacking for the best shots, we reap the benfits in the September newsletter.