PURDUE INNOVATES COMMERCIALIZATION FELLOWSHIP
Research into real world impact
Led by Purdue Innovates with support from Purdue University colleges, the Commercialization Fellowship provides recent PhD graduates and postdoctoral researchers an opportunity to advance commercialization of Purdue-owned intellectual property through startups or licensing to industry.
2025 commercialization fellows
Andrea Felicelli
College of Engineering
Felicelli is refining a patented lightweight white paint formulation with far-reaching impacts for strategic partners across a variety of industries.
Andres Barrio-Zhang
College of Engineering
Barrio-Zhang is improving a new microscope which allows researchers to more thoroughly differentiate and identify specific nanoparticles.
Divya Kamireddi
College of Agriculture
Kamireddi is developing an eco-friendly, super-absorbent hemp material for soil retention, food storage and additional industry applications.
Nick Huls
College of Pharmacy
Huls is working on a quality control measurement for freeze-dried products with a focus on the medical field.
I see so much potential for the technology, and I wholeheartedly believe in its potential. Thanks to this fellowship, I hope to see this work leave the lab and get into the real world to solve real world problems.
Andrea Felicelli
College of Engineering
Andres Barrio-Zhang
College of Engineering
about the commercialization fellowship
Led by Purdue Innovates with support from Purdue University colleges, the Commercialization Fellowship provides recent PhD graduates and postdoctoral researchers an opportunity to advance commercialization of Purdue-owned intellectual property through startups or licensing to industry.
Alongside faculty inventors, each fellow will work towards a ready-to-license technology or a defined pathway to a startup company. Their work is based on intellectual property already disclosed to the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization, which operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S.
Please reach out to MRDressler@prf.org with any additional questions about the Commercialization Fellowship program.
FAQ Section
The Commercialization Fellowship funds a full-time position within the student’s college as a Postdoctoral Entrepreneur plus fringe benefits for one year to explore commercialization of intellectual property that has been disclosed to Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization.
Entrepreneurial training will be provided by Purdue Innovates using existing programs as well as bespoke mentoring from EIRs, Purdue Innovates staff, and the broader Purdue ecosystem. The expected output is a ready-to-license technology or a defined pathway to a startup company.
Fellows must be graduating PhD students or postdoctoral researchers advancing a technology that has been disclosed to OTC. Candidates must also have a demonstrated engagement in commercialization activities related to their research.
Proposals will be selected based on the technology value proposition and commercial potential as well as the candidate’s technical capabilities, leadership behaviors, and commitment to commercialization.
Please reach out to MRDressler@prf.org with any additional questions about the Commercialization Fellowship program.