Roze Alzabey
BS/MS Biomedical Engineering, Neuroengineering Concentration
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems (BIOMED)
Why did you choose Drexel?
I chose Drexel for its highly accredited Biomedical Engineering program and its opportunistic Co-op program. It is both a pioneer in my direct field as well as a great institution that provides unprecedented opportunities and experiences.
What attracted you to apply to the Coulter Fellow Program?
I have always wanted to learn more about the market side of biomedical design and to see firsthand how a product transitions from the lab into the market. The Coulter program allows for students to be directly involved in communications between the researchers and licensing managers, as well as independently perform market analysis reports.
What have you learned as a Coulter Fellow?
I have learned a great deal about analyzing the market for potential products, and researching the different facets that a product could be applied in. As a third year fellow, I have now worked on multiple technologies from therapeutics to digital platforms.
What are you hoping to gain from this experience?
This fellowship has opened up new doors that I did not know existed by introducing me into the field of market research. I will come out of this role with a comprehensive understanding of gathering the tools to build a marketing portfolio and applying it within the process of product development.
Fun fact: I learned English through watching TV and listening to music.
Malena Farber
BS/MS Biomedical Engineering,
School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems
Why did you choose Drexel?
I chose Drexel because of the co-op program.
What attracted you to apply to the Coulter Fellows Program?
I heard about technology transfer about a year before I applied for the fellowship and that year conducted informational interviews with the directors of different TTOs (tech transfer offices) and was enamored by the field. I saw this fellowship as a stepping stone into that career path should I so choose it.
What have you learned so far as a Coulter Fellow?
I've learned many things from this fellowship-market analysis research skills, how to create a business plan, and how to give a good pitch are just a few.
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
I’m hoping to gain first-hand knowledge and insight into the tech transfer industry and translational research. I first heard about the industry and this program when Kathie Jordan came to speak in my pediatric engineering class in the summer and it fascinated me. Since she spoke to us, I’ve reached out to several people in the industry and conducted informational interviews. These interviews in combination with this fellowship have been very fruitful for me. I've greatly enjoyed being a part of the innovation.
Fun Fact: I've donated anywhere from 10-14 inches of hair every other year since the 5th grade which is cumulatively a length that is longer than me. I am incapable of cooking dinner for less than 6 people. I can (somewhat) play the flute, guitar, and piano.
Dillon C. Malloy
PhD Candidate, Neuroscience, College of Medicine
Why did you choose Drexel?
I chose Drexel because of the strong research core in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy for clinically relevant investigations. My research preferences were heavily focused on translational research and therapeutic applications, both of which I found in my lab and department at Drexel. Additionally, the Division of Biomedical Sciences and Neuroscience program always marketed itself as a close-knit, collegial, and supportive environment which seemed ideal to me for pursuing and completing my PhD, and this has absolutely been the case.
What attracted you to apply to the Coulter Fellows Program?
There have been many instances in my academic research career at Drexel where I would be performing benchwork and would think: “This would be so much easier if someone invented a device to do this faster.” “Why hasn’t this been invented yet?” “We could totally sell this.” So, I became interested in understanding what makes that possible. I was drawn to the Coulter Fellowship Program because I was eager to learn more about business and commercialization aspects of science and technology. I did not have any prior exposure to the process of technology transfer for biomedical research with strong potential for clinical application. The Coulter Fellowship Program provided me with the opportunity to not just learn but to be deeply involved in this process at different stages and for various projects.
What have you learned so far as a Coulter Fellow?
I had very little prior knowledge about performing market research, so I have learned a great deal as a Coulter Fellow thus far. One primary detail I have learned is the importance and complexity of doing competitor or comparison analyses. To understand the market and your potential share within that space, it is crucial to know who your competitors are, what their capabilities are, what their offerings are, and how you compare. Depending on your business and commercialization strategy, you may need to know how you differentiate yourself from your competitors, how you create synergies with your competitors, or a mix of both. So, I have valued learning to perform these in-depth competitor or comparison analyses as a Coulter Fellow.
What do you hope to gain from this experience?
Through my experience as a Coulter Fellow, I am hoping to gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to fund commercialization efforts and bridge the gap between lab-based technology and a marketable product. I want to be able to leverage my experiences and knowledge to enter the business sphere of science and continue to be involved in the technology transfer efforts of biomedical and therapeutic innovations.
Fun Fact: I have a twin brother. No, we are not identical (I know you were going to ask)