Ohio State Researchers Thrive in NSF I-Corps Program

The summer NSF I-Corps program at the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship has wrapped up, showcasing the program's importance in helping researchers turn their academic insights into viable commercial opportunities. This initiative provides essential hands-on experience and mentorship, allowing faculty and graduate students to discover new ways to bring their innovations to market while enhancing their leadership and commercialization expertise. As participants conclude this transformative experience, the influence of I-Corps on the university's entrepreneurial landscape is evident and promising for future endeavors.

“The completion of this summer’s I-Corps program underscores our commitment to transforming academic research into impactful solutions,” said Caroline Crisafulli, director of entrepreneurial education. “By guiding our researchers through a process to explore the market opportunity of their research, we’re not just fostering innovation—we’re cultivating the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders who will drive change in their fields.”

Alisyn Greenfield’s Journey: From Lab to Market

Alisyn  Greenfield, a Ph.D. candidate in Chemical Engineering, discovered the I-Corps program through her involvement with the REACH for Commercialization program, which supports women in STEM entrepreneurship. Greenfield’s research focuses on polymerized hemoglobin, a material with the potential to revolutionize both transfusion medicine and organ preservation.

"Our lab studies red blood cell substitutes, and polymerized hemoglobin is one of the key materials we’ve developed," Greenfield explained. "Participating in the I-Corps program gave me the chance to explore the commercialization aspect of my research, which was completely new to me."

With the support of her mentors, Dr. Andre Palmer, Dr. Bryan Whitson and Dr. Sylvester Black, Greenfield is exploring the complexities of bringing a scientific innovation to market. Her efforts have already resulted in the filing of one international patent related to her project, and she is now focusing on securing funding to advance her research further.

“The next steps involve finding more funding to support the research and possibly forming a company to translate the technology to the clinic,” Greenfield said. “I’m still learning, but the I-Corps program has given me a solid foundation to build on.”

Professor Yiying Wu’s Mentorship Journey

Professor Yiying Wu, a respected member of Ohio State's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, has been instrumental in advancing battery technology, particularly with his work on potassium-oxygen batteries. Wu's involvement in the I-Corps program provided him and his team, including his student mentee Jocelyn Elgin, the opportunity to engage with industry professionals and assess the market viability of their innovations.

"The I-Corps program is designed for researchers like faculty members, graduate students, and postdocs who are interested in commercializing their research results," Wu explained. "It emphasizes talking with customers to gain a deep understanding of the market and what potential customers really want."

Wu’s team, which included a fourth-year graduate student, focused on evaluating the potential of their potassium-oxygen batteries for grid-level energy storage. Through customer interviews with companies like AEP and other energy firms, the team gained valuable insights into industry needs.

As a mentor, Wu played a crucial supporting role, allowing his graduate student to lead many of the interactions. "I guided my student through the process, but I made sure she took the lead in discussions," Wu said. "It was rewarding to see her grow more confident as the program progressed."

Over 22 teams from Ohio State have successfully completed this in-depth, six-week training program. Be part of the next cohort and take your research to the next level. Learn more here