Each academic year, the Translational Fellows Program (TFP)—supported by the Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative (CTSC)—trains a cohort of individuals in entrepreneurship and the translation of innovation into commercial ventures. Through the CTSC’s resources and network, Fellows participate in a variety of programmatic events, such as the 3-Minute Thesis Competition, Morgenthaler-Pavey Start-up Competition, and the NCATS I-CORPS. On May 29, 2025, the Fellows showcased their progress by delivering final presentations.
The TFP, as part of the CTSC’s commitment to accelerating research and innovation, is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 TFP program.
More information on each Fellow's project:
Glioblastoma (GBM) Research
Himanshu Dashora is investigating glioblastoma (GBM), a malignant primary brain tumor with a median survival of just 15 months, even after aggressive surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments. Because GBM is highly resistant to therapy and almost always recurs, patient outcomes remain poor. For his thesis, Himanshu is utilizing ribosome profiling (RIBO-seq) sequencing technology to study GBM and develop a computational pipeline that pinpoints the most critical genes these tumors rely on for survival. The insights gained from this work aim to inform future precision medicine strategies to improve survival rates for GBM patients.
Robotic Catheter Innovation
Ran Hao, PhD, researches robotic-assisted catheter ablation for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Traditional catheter ablation procedures use guidewire-based catheters, which can be challenging to maneuver, especially in patients with atypical heart anatomy. To address this, Ran Hao and his team have developed an MRI-compatible, robotically controlled catheter that can be both guided and actuated in real time using MRI imaging. This innovative approach aims to reduce procedural time by up to 50% while enhancing precision and safety. Ultimately, this technology has the potential to lower hospital costs and improve patient outcomes for those undergoing ablation therapy.
Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis
Rupleen Kaur is focused on addressing the challenge of brain metastasis in advanced breast cancer, which affects approximately 30% of patients and results in a median survival of less than one year due to limited treatment options. Her research has shown that tumor cells hijack resident brain cells to form protective, drug-resistant niches. By analyzing gene expression profiles from patients, her team has identified key molecular drivers of this process, making target selection for new therapies significantly less risky. Feedback from oncologists highlights a strong need for brain-penetrant, microenvironment-focused treatments that can reduce systemic toxicity and limit resistance. Rupleen’s immediate goal is to prioritize and validate the most promising targets to move forward into drug development.
Antihistamine Repurposing for Blood Recovery
Bailey Klein’s research has investigated the repurposing of antihistamines to promote blood recovery after bone marrow transplantation. Patients with hematological diseases have been identified as a broad population that could benefit from this therapy; however, the initial target population will be patients who have undergone allogeneic transplants. Repurposing antihistamines has the potential to help impact many lives, but will require finding the correct IP and partners to help bring it to market.
Sensory Neuroprosthesis for Amputees
Suzhou Li, PhD, is working to address gait instability experienced by individuals with lower limb loss, which often results from the absence of sensation in the missing foot. His lab has developed a sensory neuroprosthesis (SNP) that surgically installs nerve cuff electrodes around the peripheral nerve in the residual limb. By delivering direct electrical stimulation through these electrodes, the SNP elicits sensations that are perceived as coming from the missing foot. This technology has shown improvements in gait stability, navigation over challenging terrains, and stumble recovery, demonstrating its potential to enhance neurorehabilitation outcomes for people with lower limb loss significantly.
Clinical Research Data Platform
Nandini Rajaram Siva, MD, is developing Data AI, an early-stage platform aimed at streamlining how clinical researchers interact with their data. The platform is designed to simplify complex workflows, minimize analysis delays, and enhance the integrity of research outputs. Created specifically for clinicians and researchers, Data AI bridges the gap between technical tools and practical application, allowing users to efficiently manage and analyze data without the need for advanced programming skills.
Nanoparticle-Enhanced Gene Therapy
Lauren Switala's work has been to develop nanoparticles, dubbed "InstaGTx", that are used in conjunction with gene therapy to boost its efficacy and make it safer. Although gene therapy has vast potential, its application has been hindered by poor organ targeting and dangerous immune responses; the goal of the InstaGTx project is to overcome these obstacles and enable the use of this life-saving medicine for patients. Throughout this year in TFP, Lauren has learned about what indications to target with InstaGTx (or, more accurately, what indications not to target, which is an immeasurably valuable lesson) and has been working towards finding company partners with whom to progress the technology towards clinical use.
Mandibular Fracture Repair System
David Suh is working on a Mandibular Fracture Repair System along with my mentor, Dr. Jonathan Baskin. We're working to develop a medical device that can help surgeons achieve better teeth alignment during lower jaw fracture repairs. This will result in a reduced number of misalignments, thereby improving patient care and reducing the need for costly corrective procedures. We are also exploring other potential uses for the technology in the dental industry.
Advanced UV Protection
Yang Yang is working on a potential UV absorber/ active ingredient that can be used in sunscreens to provide you with safer and more effective protection against the full UV spectrum.
Author: Anna Thornton Matos, MPH -Clinical & Translational Research Pilot Navigator - CTSC of Northern Ohio