Internship

In the Fall 2025 semester, I worked in NC State University's Office of Research Commercialization as an I-Corps Fellow.

What I Did

Conducted 20 customer discovery interviews to identify user needs, pain points, and adoption barriers for emerging biotechnologies.
Developed interview guides and refined questions based on iterative feedback.
Synthesized qualitative interview data into themes that informed early-stage commercialization strategy.
Identified key decision-makers, influencers, and end users across academic, clinical, and industry settings.
Evaluated user workflows to determine fit, feasibility, and value propositions.
Assessed stakeholder willingness to adopt new technologies and identified constraints limiting implementation.

Analyzed market opportunities for early-stage life science technologies within the NSF I-Corps framework.
Mapped competitive landscapes to identify differentiators and unmet needs.
Assessed regulatory, reimbursement, and operational considerations that influence market entry.
Evaluated market segments and prioritized high-value customer groups based on interview insights.
Identified high-impact use cases aligned with customer needs and technology capabilities.
Developed preliminary commercial hypotheses and iterated them based on customer discovery feedback.

Collaborated with teammates to refine value propositions based on customer feedback and market analysis.
Applied NSF I-Corps Lean Startup methodologies to test assumptions around product-market fit.
Identified potential early adopters and critical partners for technology validation.
Evaluated pathways for technology maturation, funding opportunities, and partnership models.
Supported the development of technology positioning statements to guide future commercialization steps.

Presented interview findings and analysis to faculty advisors and the Office of Research Commercialization.
Translated complex technical concepts into clear messages tailored to diverse stakeholders.
Engaged with startup founders to understand real-world challenges in technology transfer and market entry.
Provided written summaries and visual reports that communicated insights to university leadership and project mentors.

Worked in a multidisciplinary team to evaluate the commercialization potential of early-stage technologies.
Coordinated tasks, interview scheduling, and data synthesis across teammates.
Integrated scientific, business, and user-experience perspectives to create balanced recommendations.
Participated in group problem-solving sessions to refine strategic direction.

Completed NSF Regional I-Corps curriculum focused on Lean Startup methodology and commercialization.
Gained hands-on experience in structured interview techniques and evidence-based decision-making.
Strengthened skills in hypothesis testing, rapid iteration, and customer-centered innovation.