Medical Devices
Through interest in acquiring a startup commercializing Vanderbilt intellectual property, a global medical device company is establishing a center of excellence in medical device innovation locally. Vanderbilt research efforts in surgery and engineering provide fertile ground for other emerging technologies. Forging deep relationships in this industry sector creates an economic draw for other companies and potentially suppliers to the region, contributing to the innovation ecosystem.
Education Technology
Peabody researchers are piloting their technology with a large energy company to make training materials more engaging and interactive for employees. The program measures comprehension and retention of training content using AI and a novel intelligent text framework. The goal of the pilot study is to demonstrate proof of concept in order to scale the platform for larger implementation throughout the organization.
Life Sciences
Research collaborations with industry advance the most innovative discoveries for therapeutic targets, pathways, and technologies. Industry Collaborations forged a relationship with a global pharmaceutical company and was invited to apply for research funding. Vanderbilt was awarded a competitive research grant to identify therapeutic intervention points to prevent the colonization and proliferation of lung cancer. These types of relationships with pharmaceutical companies allow for joint mapping of research interests and capabilities and a more curated approach to matching industry and academic researchers.
Transportation and Mobility
Traffic Management
The first phase of a traffic study for a global transportation infrastructure company sought to better understand traffic patterns utilizing the I-24 MOTION corridor. Upon completion of that phase, Vanderbilt researchers achieved the goal of developing innovative solutions designed to better manage interstate traffic. The second phase of the research project launched in late 2024 builds on the initial research by identifying and testing technical solutions for accurate vehicle positioning on roadways. The goal is to enter a long-term, robust relationship with the company to identify new tech-based ways of characterizing and responding to changing transportation conditions anywhere the company operates in the world.
Public-Private Engagement
In response to a state economic development initiative called Transportation Network Growth Opportunity, Vanderbilt engaged with public entities to help guide the creation of an initiative to increase innovation in the state around transportation mobility. The Industry Collaborations team, led the efort to identify industry partners to join Vanderbilt researchers to solve some difficult problems impacting daily transportation life for Tennesseans. Due to ongoing, collaborative interactions, Vanderbilt won a second round of funding for additional important community-improvement projects.
