New Academic Research Fellowship Focused on Medical Device Entrepreneurship

Spark Biomedical has launched the Spark Biomedical Innovation Fellowship, a year-long program designed to provide resident clinicians with opportunities in medical device innovation and entrepreneurship.

“This fellowship brings in talented medical professionals to solve challenging healthcare needs while nurturing their entrepreneurial mindset. Fellows will be on the front lines of innovation with a team of like-minded healthcare leaders,” Spark Biomedical Co-Founder/Chief Science Officer Navid Khodaparast, Ph.D., said.  
 
The Innovation Fellowship aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders in medical technology by providing intensive, hands-on experience in areas critical to advancing therapeutic medical devices. Throughout the 12-month program, participants will work closely with a best-in-class interdisciplinary team from clinical, engineering, and business.
 
The inaugural fellows cohort consists of two UT Southwestern (Dallas, Texas) fourth-year neurological surgery residents selected for their innovative ideas and dedication to the improvement of healthcare. Ryan Chiu, M.D., wants to better understand the ways he can develop and implement clinical trials for new biomedical devices, while Keith George, M.D., seeks to leverage his engineering background to enhance medical device innovation and gain comprehensive insight into the medical device lifecycle, from conception to clinical implementation.
 
Fellows will gain hands-on skills in critical areas including:

• Clinical trial management: Designing and executing trials, protocol submission, and trial enrollment.
• Federal grants and investor engagement: Writing grant proposals and pitching to potential investors.
• FDA regulatory science: Navigating the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval process for medical devices.
• Publication and presentation: Preparing research for publication and presenting findings to peers and industry leaders.
• Intellectual property: Develop an understanding of the technical, scientific, and legal aspects of patents.  

The Spark Biomedical Innovation Fellowship aims to set a new standard for medical research, nurturing talents that will help push the boundaries of medical science and patient care. 

Spark Biomedical, Inc. is a medical device developer committed to unlocking the potential of bioelectric medicine and bringing to market wearable neurostimulation treatment options in behavioral health, women’s health, hemostasis, pediatrics, and chronic pain.
The Dallas-based company has received funding from federal institutions such as the NIH and DoD, and continues to partner with private and academic institutes. Spark leverages its neuroscience and engineering expertise to empower healthcare providers and researchers with evidence-based tools designed to address complex care situations that exceed the capabilities of existing treatment options.