2025 Commercialization Fellowship
Case Studies & Outcomes
The inaugural Commercialization Fellowship demonstrated a strong pathway for moving Purdue-generated IP toward market readiness by giving a highly selective cohort focused time, mentorship, and resources to pursue commercialization efforts. Fellows made significant progress in aligning their technologies with real stakeholder needs, reducing risk and advancing projects beyond early validation through customer discovery, translational funding engagement, and close collaboration with the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC).
By the program’s end, each technology was more clearly positioned and each fellow indicating they exited the program with a new lens grounded in customer needs and real-world deployment that will shape their academic work regardless of institutional affiliation.
A model distinct from what’s offered at peer institutions, the fellowship accelerates the lab-to-life translation and commercial potential of Purdue-developed innovations.
College of Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Xiulin Ruan
Andrea Felicelli
Felicelli and her team entered the fellowship with strong expertise in the Purdue-owned IP of radiative-cooling coatings. Early stakeholder discovery included aerospace applications, but ultimately discussions with logistics stakeholders revealed faster purchasing cycles and lower regulatory barriers, a pivot that didn’t require a change to the core technology or IP strategy.
By the program’s end, the technology had evolved into a reproducible, application‑validated system suitable for pilot‑scale evaluation with OTC providing critical support in keeping development aligned with commercialization goals. Additional steps to further de-risk licensing and joint development opportunities are being explored.
I would recommend this program to researchers who want to see their work have an impact beyond publications. It’s especially helpful if you’re interested in entrepreneurship but don’t have much experience with startups or industry yet. It gives you a solid starting point and a way to approach the transition without it feeling overwhelming.
Andrea Felicelli
College of Engineering
College of Engineering
Faculty Advisor: Arezoo Ardekani
Andres Barrio-Zhang
This technology identifies a clear gap in nanoparticle characterization tools, particularly the lack of accessible instruments capable of providing both size and chemical composition at the single-particle level. During the fellowship, Barrio-Zhang progressed the patent-pending technology from proof-of-concept toward pilot study readiness and benchmarking against other techniques through technical development focused on refining the platform across a range of representative sample types.
The project has generated early interest from both venture investors and industry partners. These conversations remain encouraging and ongoing with Barrio-Zhang interested in staying connected for future opportunities.
One of the most valuable aspects of the program was its emphasis on engaging directly with industry. Commercialization requires operating beyond the university environment, and the fellowship enabled meaningful interactions with key stakeholders that helped align the technology with real market needs.
Andres Barrio-Zhang
College of Engineering
College of Agriculture
Faculty Advisor: Senay Simsek
Divya Kamireddi
Kamireddi and her team developed the patent-pending technology centered on the linkage between hemp feedstock, cellulose chemistry, and processing methods used to produce biodegradable superabsorbent materials. She explored multiple large potential markets with customer discovery facilitated through the fellowship, leading to an intentional pivot toward agriculture as a lower-barrier, faster validation market.
Because of the fellowship, the work was on track for follow-on collaboration, supported by proof-of-product data and a clear understanding of remaining technical risks. There are clear next steps to continue the commercialization process, to be supported by alignment with interested partners.
Divya Kamireddi
College of Agriculture
College of Pharmacy
Faculty Advisor: Eric Munson
Nick Huls
Protected by Purdue-owned IP, this technology addresses a major gap in how pharmaceutical companies connect formulation choices and freeze-drying process parameters to long-term product stability. During the fellowship, Huls spoke with stakeholders who showed strong interest in an in‑vial approach that could directly link formulation composition, processing conditions, and stability outcomes at the individual‑vial level.
The team advanced the technology to approximately TRL 4-5 and demonstrated the ability to reduce waste, shorten feedback loops, and lower the risk of late-stage failures. The technology was re-risked enough to support license option executed by OTC.
Nick Huls
College of Pharmacy