Nick Hanus is a junior at Johns Hopkins University, pursuing a dual bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology and economics with minors in accounting, financial management, and financial economics. He also represents Johns Hopkins University on the varsity soccer team.
Nick’s academic and athletic journey took an unconventional path. He started as a youth player and ball boy for his hometown professional team, FC Tucson of USL League One. After graduating high school, Nick took steps toward his dream of playing professional soccer by signing a full-time unpaid contract with FC Tucson. During this time, he simultaneously attended the University of Arizona, where he studied Biomedical Engineering and Finance and launched his first entrepreneurial endeavor—an online custom image shin guard business, Top Bins Shin Guards—that still operates today.
Unfortunately, Nick’s time with FC Tucson and his studies at the University of Arizona were cut short when he tore his ACL. This led him to transfer to Johns Hopkins University, where he could further his academic pursuits and continue his passion for soccer in a supportive and outstanding collegiate program.
At JHTV, Nick conducts technical evaluations and market diligence on innovations developed by faculty members to assess their commercialization potential. Additionally, he works on refining and optimizing the startup assessment rubric that is used to evaluate the viability and market readiness of emerging ventures. Looking forward, Nick aims to leverage his background in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Economics, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Translation to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and clinical application, ensuring that groundbreaking medical advancements translate into improved patient care.
Emmanuel Leblond is a rising junior at Johns Hopkins University, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Management. His journey at Johns Hopkins has been marked by both academic and athletic excellence.
Over his first two years, Emmanuel has distinguished himself as a formidable athlete. He is a two-time All-American, has qualified for five National Championships, and has won four individual titles in the Centennial Conference. Emmanuel holds the school records in the 3,000m and the Steeplechase, as well as freshman records in the 3k, 5k, and 10k events. His contributions have been pivotal in leading the Blue Jay squad to back-to-back conference titles in cross country and indoor track, with the team finishing 12th and 14th at the XC Nationals.
Emmanuel currently supports JHTV’s Technology Transfer team’s patent development practice, focusing on ensuring compliance with US Patent Office disclosure requirements. This role aligns with his interest in intellectual property (IP) and the law, providing him with a unique opportunity to explore the field as an undergraduate student.
Looking ahead, Emmanuel plans to continue his journey in IP as a technical specialist while attending law school. His summers are spent interning as an engineer, allowing him to grow his technical expertise and gain valuable experience in the field. Emmanuel’s dedication to both his athletic and academic pursuits ensures that “busy times lie ahead.”
Recently graduating from Northwestern University with a major in Manufacturing and Design Engineering, Lila Slattery is set to embark on a new chapter at Johns Hopkins University this fall, where she will pursue a Master of Science in Engineering Management.
Lila’s time at Northwestern was marked by significant achievements in field hockey. Competing at the highest level, her team secured one Division 1 national title, two national runner-up finishes, one B1G title, and another B1G runner-up finish. Her athletic prowess was evident even before her college years, as she played for Severna Park High School and Spark Field Hockey Club in Severna Park, MD. During her high school career, she garnered numerous state, region, and county player of the year awards.
With an extra season of eligibility granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Lila will join the competitive field hockey team at Johns Hopkins University for the 2024 season, bringing her experience and skills to a new team.
At JHTV, she currently supports the Technology Transfer team by conducting market due diligence. This role involves evaluating academic, market industry, and IP landscapes of technologies reported by faculty inventors. Her analyses aid in decision-making regarding patenting, licensing, marketing, and the creation of start-up activities. Additionally, she promotes and deploys marketing campaigns for innovative Johns Hopkins technologies, seeking licensing opportunities.
Looking ahead, Lila aims to leverage her technical skills from Northwestern and Johns Hopkins to pursue a career in product design. She envisions creating new products that not only improve daily life but are also sustainable and user-friendly. Her passion for design is rooted in a desire to blend creativity with functionality, making her dream of “glorified arts and crafts” a reality.