Bailey Klein
What is your student/job title?
I am a PhD candidate in Dr. Amar Desai’s Lab
What is your fellowship project?
My fellowship project focuses on investigating a novel role of mast cells, where they negatively regulate hematopoietic stem cells through a histamine-dependent mechanism. Building on this foundation, my research aims to further elucidate the specific mechanisms involved and explore preclinical applications. I have identified the FDA-approved antihistamine, cetirizine, as a compound that can induce hematopoietic expansion. My goal is to identify a more potent antihistamine that surpasses cetirizine in efficacy, potentially paving the way for a new drug discovery project targeting hematopoietic stem cell expansion.
What is your favorite part of entrepreneurship?
My favorite part of entrepreneurship is the opportunity to take an innovative idea and turn it into a tangible product or solution that can make a real impact. I enjoy the process of problem-solving and the challenge of navigating the various stages of development, from concept to market. Entrepreneurship allows me to be creative and resourceful while also making a meaningful difference in people's lives, particularly in the realm of healthcare and biotechnology.
Do you have an entrepreneurial role model? If so, who?
Yes, I admire Dr. Craig Venter, a pioneering biotechnologist and entrepreneur. His work in sequencing the human genome and his ventures in synthetic biology exemplify how scientific innovation can be translated into groundbreaking commercial applications. Dr. Venter's ability to push the boundaries of science while successfully bringing his ideas to the market is truly inspiring, and his work serves as a model for how I hope to combine scientific discovery with entrepreneurship in my own career.
What is your favorite location to visit in Cleveland?
My favorite locations to visit in Cleveland is the Cuyahoga National Park or any of the Metroparks to identify new places to bike, hike, and kayak.
What is your favorite way to spend your day off?
I enjoy spending my day off working on repairing old musical equipment or playing music with friends.
Himanshu Dashora
What is your student/job title?
MD/PhD Candidate in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at CWRU
What is your fellowship project?
I am developing a discovery pipeline that will identify novel candidate genes for targeted therapy in glioblastoma and may be broadly applied to the cancer stem cell population of other solid tumors.
What is your favorite part of entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship provides a way to translate research initiatives into tangible outcomes for people. Finding a way to harness benchtop discoveries to serve our communities is a huge source of motivation.
Do you have an entrepreneurial role model? If so, who?
Stephen Wolfram, an academic and businessman, invented the knowledge engine Wolfram Alpha and its underlying calculation system Mathematica. His transition from a successful theoretical physicist at Caltech/Princeton/University of Illinois to founding the Wolfram Research company and commercializing software is unorthodox and inspiring.
What is your favorite location to visit in Cleveland?
Chagrin Falls, a village located about 40 minutes from downtown Cleveland.
What is your favorite way to spend your day off?
I love to start my day-off with a coffee from Lizzie’s Bakery in Shaker Heights, then hike in the National Park or ride the Towpath Trail with my wife. After, I like to check out a brewery in Ohio City and watch sports. Finally, dinner at Cilantro Taqueria in the Van Aken District and a late-night movie at Pinecrest with friends would be the end to my perfect day.
Lauren Switala
What is your student/job title?
I am a PhD candidate at CWRU in biomedical engineering.
What is your fellowship project?
My project is to engineer nanoparticles to enhance tissue-specific targeting of gene therapy.
What is your favorite part of entrepreneurship?
What I most enjoy about entrepreneurship is turning ideas into reality. I love doing research, and turning research into something impactful gives the whole process a greater sense of purpose.
Do you have an entrepreneurial role model? If so, who?
Yes, I have 2 entrepreneurial role models. Yvon Chouinard is a rock climber and founder of the company Patagonia. Throughout his whole career he has adhered to high moral standards in his business decisions, making choices that are environmentally friendly, even before it was trendy. He's demonstrated how to have a hugely successful business without sacrificing one's principles. My second role model is one with whom I have a close relationship, Annie Richman, who founded the local climbing gym Shaker Rocks. Similar to Yvon, Annie has stuck to her principles while running her business and has managed to develop a successful business that reflects her own personal values. Witnessing firsthand how she operates day-to-day, and in making macro-scale decisions, I've seen how important great leadership is to build a great team and great community.
What is your favorite location to visit in Cleveland?
There are a ton-- Cleveland has so many great spots! Since I'm an outdoors fanatic I'll have to go with a place in the Cleveland Metroparks, namely the Fort Hill Stairs in the Rocky River Reservation.
What is your favorite way to spend your day off?
Playing outside: mountain biking, rock climbing, sailing, or hiking.
Nandini Rajaram Siva
What is your student/job title?
PhD student
What is your fellowship project?
I am working on developing a user-friendly platform that will help scientists and physicians to be able to make complex analytical illustrations from large datasets and perform statistical analyses in house for their own lab.
What is your favorite part of entrepreneurship?
The most rewarding aspect of entrepreneurship lies in the ability to actualize a vision, crafting innovative solutions that address real-world challenges and drive meaningful impact. It grants the freedom to push boundaries, the exhilaration of navigating and overcoming obstacles, and the deep satisfaction of witnessing your ideas materialize into concrete results that contribute positively to society.
Do you have an entrepreneurial role model? If so, who?
Judy Faulkner is my role model because of her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to revolutionizing healthcare through technology. Her ability to build Epic Systems from the ground up, transforming it into a leading healthcare software company, inspires me to pursue my own entrepreneurial ambitions with determination and integrity.
What is your favorite location to visit in Cleveland?
North Chagrin Reservation.
What is your favorite way to spend your day off?
I am an avid golfer and hiker. In my free time, I love taking my two dogs on a walk at the local Metroparks and to explore new trails.
Ran Hao
What is your student/job title?
Research Associate
What is your fellowship project?
My project focuses on the commercialization of an MRI-actuated robotic catheter ablation system designed to treat atrial fibrillation. This system aims to enhance precision and efficacy in ablation procedures, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients and more efficient treatment processes.
What is your favorite part of entrepreneurship?
My favorite part of entrepreneurship is gaining diverse perspectives on the system we're developing, especially from market experts and key opinion leaders. I find it exciting to explore the potential of our system and work towards bringing it to customers.
Do you have an entrepreneurial role model? If so, who?
My friend Ammar, we co-founded a robotic company together. He's enthusiastic and hardworking, I learned a lot from him.
What is your favorite location to visit in Cleveland?
I enjoy going to concerts to watch live music. My favorite place in Cleveland is Beachland.
What is your favorite way to spend your day off?
I enjoy spending time playing guitar and piano whenever I'm free.
Rupleen Kaur
What is your student/job title?
MD/PhD Candidate (MSTP)
What is your fellowship project?
Developing novel therapies for targeting tumor-microenvironment interactions for brain metastases.
What is your favorite part of entrepreneurship?
My favorite part of entrepreneurship is the challenge of bringing a new idea to life. The journey is full of problem-solving and there is a deep sense of fulfillment in overcoming obstacles and seeing the ideas positively impact people’s lives.
Do you have an entrepreneurial role model? If so, who?
I really admire Benjamin Franklin. He was a true polymath—a scientist, philosopher, diplomat, and engineer. Despite his modest beginnings, he founded several successful businesses and came up with inventions like the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, and a flexible catheter. I am inspired by his creativity and ingenuity.
What is your favorite location to visit in Cleveland?
I really like going on walks at the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve. It’s a peaceful escape just outside the city with views of Lake Erie.
What is your favorite way to spend your day off?
I like going on long walks and spending time with close friends.
Suzhou Li
What is your student/job title?
PhD Candidate
What is your fellowship project?
Our lab has developed a sensory neuroprosthesis that restores sensation in the missing foot of individuals with lower limb loss. The system works by electrically stimulating peripheral nerves in the residual limb via nerve cuff electrodes, eliciting sensations from the missing foot that correspond to prosthesis foot-floor interactions as detected by a force-sensing insole. My specific project investigates how this sensory neuroprosthesis is integrated into the user’s sensorimotor control, with the potential to reduce the risk of falls for individuals with lower limb loss.
What is your favorite part of entrepreneurship?
My favorite part of entrepreneurship is the opportunity to turn scientific innovation into practical solutions that directly benefit communities in need. The ability to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact is incredibly fulfilling.
Do you have an entrepreneurial role model? If so, who?
I am inspired by the kindness, hard work, and unwavering dedication of my friends and family. Their support and values have shaped my approach to entrepreneurship, reminding me that success is as much about integrity and perseverance as it is about innovation.
What is your favorite location to visit in Cleveland?
Cleveland Metroparks!
What is your favorite way to spend your day off?
I like trying out new restaurants around the Cleveland area with friends.
Yang Yang
What is your student/job title?
PhD Candidate
What is your fellowship project?
Carbon nanomaterial-based sunscreen for skin cancer prevention
What is your favorite part of entrepreneurship?
I can learn things from different perspectives and get exposed to diverse ideas
Do you have an entrepreneurial role model? If so, who?
I don’t have a specific entrepreneurial role model, but I admire their acute insights
What is your favorite location to visit in Cleveland?
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
What is your favorite way to spend your day off?
Cooking and playing games