Vanderbilt has announced eleven awardees in the latest round of its Innovation Catalyst Fund, an initiative that supports translational research that has promising commercial potential. This initiative, open to all University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) faculty, addresses pressing real-world challenges. The fund provides essential support in three key areas: proving ideas can be commercialized, supporting early-stage innovation projects, and furthering research efforts that benefit the community and society.
Distinguished awardees from the latest funding cycle include:
- Amy Booth, professor of psychology and human development: Ready for REED: Transitioning from MVP to Market-Ready Solution
- Scott Guelcher, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering: Preclinical Development of a Settable Bone Graft for Stabilization of Dental Implants
- Yike Li, research assistant professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery: Development of an AI-assisted System for Automatic Clinical Coding in Otolaryngology
- Shihong Lin, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, Electrochemicallyenhanced Lithium Adsorption System (ELiAS)
- Meiyi Ma, assistant professor of computer science: Developing a Training System for Emergency Response
- Anita Mahadevan-Jansen, professor of biomedical engineering: Augmented Reality Headset Development for Intra-Operative Guidance of Surgery with Near Infrared Autofluorescence
- Dann Martin, assistant professor of radiology: Interventional Radiology Intelligent Stereotactic (IRIS) Device
- Nabil Simaan, assistant professor of mechanical engineering: In-Vivo Pre-Clinical Validation of Sensory-guided Smart Catheters Technology for Stroke Treatment and Endovascular Navigation
- Byron Stephens, associate professor of orthopedic surgery: Indwelling Pain Control Catheter for Spinal Surgery
- John Blair Summitt, associate professor of plastic surgery: UlcerGuard
- Zhongyue Yang, assistant professor of chemistry: Mutexa: A Computational Ecosystem for Intelligent Biocatalyst Engineering
The Innovation Catalyst Fund is led by the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, in consultation with the Division of Finance, VUMC’s Office of Research and academic leaders across Vanderbilt’s colleges and schools. The Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization manages the program with support from the Brock Center and the Wond’ry. This collaboration emphasizes Vanderbilt’s dedication to fostering translational and commercially focused research.
All submitted applications undergo a rigorous peer review process by the Catalyst Fund Review Committee, which is made up of Vanderbilt University and VUMC faculty members across four primary research domains: arts and humanities, bioscience and health care, engineering and physical sciences, and social sciences. Funding decisions are made by a council of Vanderbilt leadership in research and innovation.
Since its launch in October 2023, the Innovation Catalyst Fund has received 112 proposals and has supported the development of 38 promising projects. Funding has facilitated crucial activities including prototype development, proof-of-concept validation, software development, process enhancements, and the evolution of new organizational capabilities. See all previous awardees.
By providing support for projects that have commercial and societal significance, the Innovation Catalyst Fund empowers Vanderbilt and VUMC faculty to make real progress toward tangible and positive changes in the world.
Apply here. This funding cycle ends June 30, and this year’s future cycle will be open during the month of October.
Questions? Contact the Innovation Catalyst Fund team.