Meet the next wave of innovators: New fellows at the Faculty of Impact

Health monitoring through sweat, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment through precision technology, or reducing doctors’ workload. The new group of fellows at the Faculty of Impact is ready to transform their research into solutions that can make a real difference in future healthcare. We’re excited to further introduce three of them to you today—Emma Moonen, Joric Oude Vrielink, and Kiran Vaidhya Venkadesh—: passionate individuals who are pushing the boundaries of scientific innovation to make significant impact on society. Here’s a glimpse into their exciting journeys and what they hope to achieve through the Faculty of Impact program.

Emma Moonen: Revolutionizing health monitoring with wearable technology

Emma Moonen is on the brink of a major breakthrough in non-invasive health monitoring. Her focus is on developing wearable technology that can continuously monitor an individual’s biochemical data through sweat, without the need for invasive blood sampling. “Society will gain immensely from this development,” Emma explains, “as it will provide access to crucial health information in a non-invasive and continuous manner.”

Currently in the final stages of research, Emma is preparing to transition into product development. Her aim is to create a wearable device that can efficiently sample sweat from individuals even in a resting state. “The Faculty of Impact program comes at the perfect time for me,” she says. “I’m ready to broaden my vision beyond research, focusing on market analysis and business development to ensure that this innovation can truly impact society.”

Joric Oude Vrielink: Enhancing lung cancer diagnosis with precision technology

Lung cancer detection is increasingly catching cases at earlier stages, but the challenge of accurately performing biopsies remains. This is where Joric Oude Vrielink’s innovation comes into play. He has developed a needle positioning system that enables radiologists to safely and precisely position needles for lung biopsies and ablations, crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. “Our goal is to ensure all patients have access to successful lung biopsies, improving their chances of receiving life-saving treatment at an early stage,” Joric says.

Joric’s technology is currently at the prototype stage, and over the next two years, he hopes to advance to preclinical studies and prepare for clinical trials. The Faculty of Impact program is integral to this journey, providing him with the entrepreneurial skills and network needed to bring his innovation to the clinic. “I’m excited to develop the business case and ensure our technology makes a tangible difference in clinical practice,” he adds.

Kiran Vaidhya Venkadesh: Bridging the gap between AI and clinical practice

Kiran Vaidhya Venkadesh is leading the charge in integrating artificial intelligence into radiology for cancer detection. During his PhD, Kiran developed AI algorithms capable of identifying potentially cancerous lung lesions and estimating malignancy risks from CT scans, matching the expertise of seasoned radiologists. “By automating scan pre-reading and report generation with AI, we can significantly reduce the workload on radiologists and improve cancer detection accuracy,” Kiran explains.

With his algorithms extensively tested in the lab, Kiran is now focused on transitioning this technology into a clinical setting. His goal over the next two years is to establish a company that can bring this AI-driven solution to radiologists, making it a practical tool in the fight against cancer. “The Faculty of Impact program is perfectly timed for me,” he says. “It’s crucial to bridge the gap between research and industry, and this program offers the support and guidance needed to navigate this transition.”

A shared vision for impact

Despite their varied backgrounds and innovations, all three fellows share a common goal: to transform their research into solutions that can make a real difference in the world. They are not just innovators but also aspiring entrepreneurs, eager to learn the skills necessary to bring their ideas to market.

Through the Faculty of Impact, Emma, Joric, and Kiran are gaining the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to succeed. They are also contributing back to the program by sharing their experiences and insights, helping to create a collaborative environment where all fellows can thrive.

As these new fellows embark on their journey, their enthusiasm is palpable, and their potential to make a lasting impact is undeniable. Stay tuned, as these innovators are just getting started.