BioInnovate Ireland is now recruiting for its next medical device innovation fellowship programme. This programme is modelled on the prestigious and internationally recognised biodesign programme offered at Stanford University.
BioInnovate Ireland is looking to recruit eight fellows who will work in two elite multidisciplinary teams. It is especially seeking people who have a deep interest in technology innovation.
The BioInnovate Fellowship teams are multi-disciplinary and eligible applicants should have a background in medicine, engineering, technology or business. Applicants with a post-graduate degree or relevant professional experience are also welcome, said a BioInnovate Ireland spokesperson yesterday.
Medical and surgical registrars or specialist registrars with an interest in innovation and improving patient care through technological advancements are also eligible to apply for the fellowship, which will start in August 2012.
The fellowship programme is full time and supported by a stipend.
Technology innovation and creativity
Candidates will be assessed for their leadership potential, interest in technology innovation, demonstrated potential for creativity and invention, and ability to work in a team.
The resulting two teams will focus on a specific clinical area, identifying unmet needs, inventing solutions to meet those needs and implementing the solutions.
The teams will also map a route to commercialisation to enable these solutions to enhance patient care.
The fellows will complete an intensive five-week training period, starting in August 2012, before spending two months of clinical immersion working with top surgeons and medical staff in hospitals around Ireland.
The teams will then focus on inventing and implementing solutions to address specific problems for the rest of their 10-month programme.
From concept to commercialisation
BioInnovate Ireland programme director Dr Mark Bruzzi, who hails from NUI Galway says that the BioInnovate Ireland programme offers great scope for researchers in this field.
“It is a unique opportunity for individuals to come together to work in teams to develop novel solutions that impact patient care, and gain access to a network of industry, academic and clinical leaders to guide their solutions from concept to commercialisation,” said Dr Bruzzi yesterday.
Marie Travers, a current Galway BioInnovate fellow, spoke yesterday about how the experience so far.
“I feel very privileged to have been able to access experts, patients and clinicians as part of the research. I see great potential for identifying innovations for patient care,” she said.
BioInnovate classes open to post-grads
In addition to the Fellowship programme, there are two BioInnovate classes open to postgraduate students of the BioInnovate academic partners which include NUI Galway, University of Limerick, Dublin City University, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and University College Cork.
The BioInnovate class will be mentored by, and work with the Fellows on the newly identified clinical needs.
For further details about applying for the Fellowship programme, people should contact Clodagh Barry, BioInnovate rogramme manager at NUI Galway, on 091 494212 or by email.
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