THE CENTER FOR RESEARCH INNOVATION
COMMERCIALIZATION SPECIALISTS
Commercialization Specialists function as a bridge between Northeastern researchers and industry R&D teams.
MEET OUR SPECIALISTS
As Commercialization Specialists, they execute a suite of fundamental responsibilities within the field of technology transfer and play a critical role in bringing Northeastern technologies to life in the world’s living rooms, office spaces, and natural habitats.
The CRI partnered with the College of Science to kick off the Commercialization Specialist program. College of Science collaborator, Jared Auclair, Associate Dean of Professional Programs and Graduate Affairs, finds great benefit in the program as it “provides PhD candidates an opportunity to learn about intellectual property and how they can apply their technical training to a non-traditional career path.”
NICOLE CAVANAUGH
Nicole earned her BS at Rochester Institute of Technology in Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences with a minor in archaeological sciences. She has experience with antibiotic discovery and as a Northeastern PhD student, she is a member of the Chai Lab where she investigates the innerworkings of biofilms.
JANE LEE
Jane is a PhD Candidate in Bioengineering, blending academic research with practical experience in entrepreneurship and management. She is actively engaged in cutting-edge research at Northeastern University, developing a novel wearable optical device in the Niedre Lab to investigate the dynamics of circulating tumor cells and gain insights into cancer metastasis.
WES ROBERTS
Wes is a PhD student in theoretical physics, with a focus on quantum materials and quantum information. He received his BS in Physics and Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh in 2017, after which he completed a Master of Studies degree in Philosophy of Physics at Oxford University.
JACK WILKINS
Jack is a PhD student in theoretical computer science, with a focus on algorithmic fairness. Broadly speaking, his research interests are in developing algorithms that restrict the possibility of bias affecting outcomes while still achieving a result near the perceived optimal.
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Jack is a PhD student in theoretical computer science, with a focus on algorithmic fairness. Broadly speaking, his research interests are in developing algorithms that restrict the possibility of bias affecting outcomes while still achieving a result near the perceived optimal.
He received his BS in Computer Science and Physics from Northeastern University in 2023.
Wes is a PhD student in theoretical physics, with a focus on quantum materials and quantum information. He received his BS in Physics and Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh in 2017, after which he completed a Master of Studies degree in Philosophy of Physics at Oxford University.
Wes’s research broadly rests in the study of open quantum systems – systems that are exposed to some form of environmental disturbance. This area is uniquely placed at the intersection of what is theoretically interesting and practically important. On the one hand, the study of open systems is vital to resolving longstanding problems in the foundations of quantum theory. On the other, all quantum systems that serve as the basis for emerging technologies are subject to some degree of environmental interference, which must be well-understood if these technologies are to become practicable.
Justin graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2020 with a BS in Chemical Engineering and BA in Spanish. Today, Justin is a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate and National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow in the Chemical Engineering Department at Northeastern University. He is a member of the Woolston and Koppes Labs where he investigates how the gut microbiome impacts human disease.
Jane is a PhD Candidate in Bioengineering, blending academic research with practical experience in entrepreneurship and management. She is actively engaged in cutting-edge research at Northeastern University, developing a novel wearable optical device in the Niedre Lab to investigate the dynamics of circulating tumor cells and gain insights into cancer metastasis. She has performed research at the Harvard School of Public Health and was advised by leading experts in the fields of lipid biology and nutrition. Alongside academic research experience, she co-founded a start-up in STEM education, was awarded for innovation and business competitions, and managed a research laboratory. At CRI, she is dedicated to leveraging her diverse skill set to drive the successful transition of research innovations into practical application in the marketplace, fostering growth and societal impact.
She completed a BS at Wake Forest University majoring in Biology and minoring in Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise.
She completed a Masters Degree in Biotechnology at Harvard University.
Jane is a PhD Candidate in Bioengineering, blending academic research with practical experience in entrepreneurship and management. She is actively engaged in cutting-edge research at Northeastern University, developing a novel wearable optical device in the Niedre Lab to investigate the dynamics of circulating tumor cells and gain insights into cancer metastasis. She has performed research at the Harvard School of Public Health and was advised by leading experts in the fields of lipid biology and nutrition. Alongside academic research experience, she co-founded a start-up in STEM education, was awarded for innovation and business competitions, and managed a research laboratory. At CRI, she is dedicated to leveraging her diverse skill set to drive the successful transition of research innovations into practical application in the marketplace, fostering growth and societal impact.
She completed a BS at Wake Forest University majoring in Biology and minoring in Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise.
She completed a Masters Degree in Biotechnology at Harvard University.
Fausto Capelluto is an accelerated Biology Ph.D. student in the Lab of Aging and Infertility Research at Northeastern University. Here, Fausto is learning the complex internal dynamics mitochondria displays when communicating with the rest of the cell. During the bachelor’s portion of his degree program, Fausto had the opportunity to interact with multiple professors and learn about their cutting-edge research. These interactions led Fausto to seek out opportunities that would allow him to build upon and commercialize Northeastern technologies. As a Commercialization Specialist, he is doing just that.
Nicole graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology in 2019 with a BS in Biotechnology and Molecular Bioscience with a minor in archeological science. Today, Nicole is a second year PhD student in the molecular microbiology department at Northeastern University. She is also a member of the Chai Lab where she investigates the innerworkings of biofilms.
Ryan graduated from Northeastern in 2014 with a BS/MS in Biochemistry/Biotechnology and a minor in Business Administration. Currently, Ryan is a PhD candidate in Northeastern University’s Industry PhD program working towards an advanced degree in Cell & Molecular Biology. In his role at Beam Therapeutics, Ryan researches gene editing technologies for immuno-oncology therapies targeting pediatric leukemia and lymphoma. He has over 7 years’ experience working in various R&D discovery groups throughout the biotech industry giving him a unique combination of technical and industry knowledge.