WHERE DID THE IDEA OF DRūL ORIGINATE?
When we first met, we figured out quickly that we both had the drive to be entrepreneurial and to solve a problem with science. We bounced ideas off of each other for months, mostly biotech but also anything else technology. When COVID hit, we met bi-weekly (or more) to have some “white-board” brainstorming sessions and discussed many ideas from synthetic biology, AI, humanitarian social entrepreneurship, blockchain and healthtech. The idea to solve some of the issues in oral health was only one of them and became Drūl, an at-home saliva test to detect the early onset of oral disease. As we read more about the challenges in dentistry and oral health, we started to realize that this idea of oral screening could have legs.
WHO IS/WAS YOUR MENTOR? HOW DID THE RELATIONSHIP BEGIN?
Undoubtedly our main mentor has been Josh Ambrose, director of student ventures at FastForward U. He’s been incredibly helpful and gracious with his time. He was most helpful in transitioning us from an idea on a whiteboard to actionable steps to move our venture forward. He first advised us to do a customer discovery program at JHU to get a better idea of the need and business value of our idea. And then recommended a more in-depth customer discovery program, like I-Corps. Josh also encouraged us to join accelerators and pitch competitions which led to us placing third at the national Pillar VC Petri competition. Along the way, Jack Fischer, a FastForward U mentor, and others have been very helpful in providing great feedback on our pitch decks and advising us on networking opportunities.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED DURING THIS JOURNEY?
Know your audience. Being able to present your idea, whether to a dentist, a consumer, a venture capitalist or a med-device expert, requires a great deal of tailoring. Some of our early meetings probably didn’t go too well, as we were trying to find one pitch that fits all. Now, we have different versions of our story that allow us to share our ideas and communicate parts we need help with more effectively. It has really helped get people interested in our idea more.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE STUDENTS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP?
Do not be afraid to talk about your early idea to a variety of people. We’ve met plenty of students interested in entrepreneurship or have an idea but they are stuck because they were afraid to share it with others. We would encourage those students to start by talking with people about the problem they are trying to solve to see whether the idea is worth pursuing. It was a big surprise to us to see how far a couple of interviews could take us in refining our idea. Also, don’t be afraid to tweak your idea based on feedback! Having a good grasp of the problem is as, if not more, important than understanding the solution, especially early on.
HOW HAVE THE RESOURCES AT JOHNS HOPKINS HELPED YOU?
As graduate students, the PHutures office has always been a good resource. Its workshops and concurrent programs (like Passport for Future Technology Leadership) have been great in allowing us to hear from people from different backgrounds who want to achieve similar things to us. FastForward U has been a big help in pointing us in the right direction and providing feedback. It has a wealth of resources and programs for students. Also, when they are not booked, the library whiteboard meeting rooms are great for brainstorming!
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON THAT YOU ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?
We are working on a method for activating inert carbon-hydrogen bonds of a greenhouse gas to produce renewable chemical fuels.
WHO IS/WAS YOUR MENTOR? HOW DID THE RELATIONSHIP BEGIN?
Professor Howard Katz is my official mentor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and I am very appreciative of the advice I have received. I am also grateful that numerous colleagues in my department serve as unofficial mentors.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED DURING YOUR CAREER?
Your last idea is not your best idea.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE COMMERCIALIZING THEIR TECHNOLOGY?
Similar to research, this process always takes longer than expected, so be patient!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT JOHNS HOPKINS?
The University’s ability to attract strong graduate students.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON THAT YOU ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?
My lab is performing bone regeneration studies in large animals as a precursor to clinical trials in humans. We’ve replicated the surgical process that we propose for use in humans, implanting our scaffolds, and following them out to 1 year. We’ve gotten very encouraging data. We are also performing related ongoing studies using advanced microscopy to better understand the mechanisms underlying bone regeneration.
WHO IS/WAS YOUR MENTOR? HOW DID THE RELATIONSHIP BEGIN?
My Ph.D. mentor was Professor Teng Ma. I chose to join his lab after I was accepted to the Ph.D. program at Florida State. My post-doctoral mentor was Professor Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic – a true pioneer in the field of regenerative medicine. I applied to her lab when I completed my Ph.D. and was incredibly excited to be offered a position.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED DURING YOUR CAREER?
Never respond to an email when you’re angry.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE COMMERCIALIZING THEIR TECHNOLOGY?
Learn as much as you can about the entire process. Speak to experienced people and be open to critical feedback.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT JOHNS HOPKINS?
Johns Hopkins University provides an extremely collaborative environment. Through these collective efforts, working with surgeons, other engineers, and entrepreneurs, the potential for societal impact is great.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON THAT YOU ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?
We have developed an improved and rapid in-a-dish method to differentiate human myeloid progenitors into cells that closely resemble human brain microglia. This is important because it will also help the field to address longstanding barriers to understanding how virus infection of microglia foment neuroinflammation and other pathways that interfere with normal brain function.
WHO IS/WAS YOUR MENTOR? HOW DID THE RELATIONSHIP BEGIN?
Before the existence of the Carey Business School, I took a certificate course called Business for Scientists where I learned about important topics for the innovator’s toolbox such as intellectual property. Associated with this course was the opportunity to make a pitch and that was my first exposure to a mentor focused on entrepreneurship. I am most grateful to members of our technology transfer office and to Ayo McClenney at JHTV who helped me tremendously with my most recent pitch and keeps me abreast of new opportunities.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED DURING YOUR CAREER?
To keep working on improving the solution, in as many ways possible show how it solves the challenges small and large, and continue to add value.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE COMMERCIALIZING THEIR TECHNOLOGY?
Know that it is a process that requires an investment of energy, time, patience, and the incorporation of critical feedback to build meaningful relationships to move the technology forward.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT JOHNS HOPKINS?
The inspiration I receive upon hearing about the amazing and impactful discoveries of my colleagues. These are the people working for the betterment of our community and the world.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON THAT YOU ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?
We are working on new instrumentation to improve surgical outcomes for complex vitreo-retinal and cataract surgery.
WHO IS/WAS YOUR MENTOR?
I was mentored by many people over the years, however, special mention goes to William Freeman, MD at USCD where I did my retina and uveitis fellowship; and Carol and Jerry Shields at Wills Eye Hospital where I did my ocular oncology fellowship. From them, I not only learned about diseases and surgical techniques involving the retina, uveitis, and eye tumors, but I also learned the invaluable gift of being able to write and publish my clinical research.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED DURING YOUR CAREER?
Always be the best you can be at whatever you do!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE COMMERCIALIZING THEIR TECHNOLOGY?
Patience and resilience, it takes a long time to achieve our goals.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT JOHNS HOPKINS?
The number of opportunities present to us just by being at one of the most important institutions in the world.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON THAT YOU ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?
We are working on a new chemical entity that will hopefully treat inflammatory diseases. We are also working on a new cellular therapy to treat skin diseases.
WHO IS/WAS YOUR MENTOR?
I have had many mentors to whom I am grateful including my current chairman, Dr. Sewon Kang.
WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU HAVE RECEIVED DURING YOUR CAREER?
Try to constantly adapt and do more of what you love about your job and less of what you don’t enjoy.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE COMMERCIALIZING THEIR TECHNOLOGY?
It is a wild ride. Try not to overestimate your ability to dictate the future, and instead try to react to the realities around you.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT WORKING AT JOHNS HOPKINS?
My smart and dedicated colleagues.