Innovation Fellows

The Rice Innovation Fellows program trains Ph.D. students and postdocs to translate research into real-world impact.

The Rice Innovation Fellows program brings together top Ph.D.s and postdocs across Rice’s research labs to turn their research into breakthrough solutions for real-world problems. Our goal is to catalyze the next generation of world-changing, scientist-led companies. Hosted by the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie), this selective fellowship provides you with the dedicated time, expert mentorship, and equity-free funding you need to move your work from the lab to industry. 

Join a community of science-based innovators who have already raised $25M in funding across cohorts.

If you have any questions or want to chat about your idea, reach out to Nick Tucker at Nick.tucker@rice.edu.

 

Meet the 2026 Innovation Fellows Cohort

 

Ehsan Aalaei, Bioengineering, Ph.D. ‘27 | Professor Michael King Laboratory

Ehsan Aalaei is a Ph.D. student in Bioengineering in King Lab. Ehsan is developing new therapeutic approaches designed to stop cancer from spreading.

 

Matt Lee, Bioengineering, Ph.D. ‘27 | Professor Caleb Bashor Laboratory

Matt Lee is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Bioengineering out of the Bashor Lab. Matt’s work uses AI to design the genetic instructions behind new, more effective therapies.

 

Thomas Howlett, , Bioengineering, Postdoctorate ‘28 | Professor Kelsey Swingle Laboratory

Thomas Howlett is a postdoctoral associate out of the Swingle Lab in the Department of Bioengineering. Thomas is developing a self-administered, non-hormonal treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding, a condition that affects nearly one in three women.

 

Jonathan Montes, , Bioengineering, Ph.D. ‘25 | Professor Jessica Butts Laboratory

Jonathan Montes is a Department of Bioengineering PhD student out of the Butts Lab. He and his team are developing a fast-acting, long-lasting nasal spray for reliable relief from both chronic and acute anxiety. 

 

Siliang Li, BioSciences, Postdoctorate ‘25 | Professor Caroline Ajo-Franklin Laboratory

Siliang Li is a postdoctoral associate in the Department of BioSciences out of the Ajo-Franklin Lab. Siliang is developing noninvasive devices that can quickly monitor important gut health signals.

 

Gina Pizzo, Statistics, Lecturer

Gina Pizzo is a Lecturer in the Department of Statistics. Gina’s work focuses on using data-driven models to predict crop performance and soil health, helping farmers, lenders, and insurers make better-informed decisions.

 

 

Khadija Zanna, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ph.D. ‘26 | Professor Akane Sano Laboratory

Khadija Zanna is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering out of the Sano Lab. Khadija’s work focuses on building machine learning tools that help companies deploy advanced AI while seamlessly navigating complex international regulations.

 

Alex Sadamune, Bioengineering, Ph.D. ‘27 | Professor Chong Xie Laboratory

Alex Sadamune is a Ph.D. candidate in Bioengineering out of the Xie Lab. Alex’s work focuses on scaling the production of high-precision neural implants, addressing a major bottleneck in bringing neurotechnology from lab to clinic.

 

Ava Zoba, Materials Science & Nano Engineering, Ph.D. ‘29 | Professor Christina Tringides Laboratory

Ava Zoba is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Materials Science and Nano Engineering out of the Tringides Lab. Her research focuses on creating implantable devices to better monitor brain function after surgical removal of brain tumors, enabling faster intervention and treatment.

 

Jaeho Shin, Chemistry, Postdoctorate ‘27 | Professor James M. Tour Laboratory

Jaeho Shin is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Chemistry out of the Tour Lab. Jaeho is developing next-generation semiconductor and memory technologies to push the frontier of computing and AI.

 

Will Schmid, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Postdoctorate ‘25 | Professor Alessandro Alabastri Laboratory

Will Schmid is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering out of the Alabastri Lab developing scalable technologies to recover critical minerals from high-salinity resources, strengthening domestic supply chains for essential materials.

Program Benefits for Fellows and PIs

We partner with you and your Principal Investigator to ensure your project succeeds. Fellows receive the following support:

$10,000 in Translational Research Funding 

Receive milestone-based funding for your project. This is a grant, not an investment, meaning you and the university retain full ownership of your intellectual property.

Weekly Dedicated Time for Commercialization

The program provides additional financial support to faculty to offset stipends. With a supportive PI, this means that the Innovation Fellows program will ‘buy out’ one day per week for 12 months of your time from the research lab to enable you to focus on commercialization efforts.

Personalized Mentorship and Training

Access weekly startup-focused training on critical topics like technology validation, market analysis, and intellectual property. You’ll be paired with industry experts, startup founders, and investors who can help you navigate the path to real-world application.

Food and Space at Lilie

Receive free dedicated co-working space and Friday lunches at the Lilie office. You will work side-by-side with the Lilie team and be surrounded by peers from other graduate degree programs to help you explore, analyze, and accelerate your research. 

“As a PhD student, you don’t get very many opportunities to branch outside of the lab. The Innovation Fellows program changed my trajectory, because it gave me the space, time, and mentorship to think critically about how I could start a successful business. As part of that program, I founded my company, Helix Earth Technologies, and we raised $1.1 million in pre-seed funding. None of our progress, however, would have been possible without the support of the Innovation Fellows program, which I am extremely grateful for.”

$6M+ raised as of Aug 2025

– Rawand Rasheed, CEO, Helix Earth

Where Your Research Meets Opportunity

As one of the top research universities in the world and the home of the #1 Ranked Graduate Entrepreneurship program in the country, Rice is positioned to address the world’s challenges in dealing with climate change and the energy transition, creating cutting-edge medical devices and therapeutics, discovering new materials and applications, and advancing computer science to influence bits and atoms. You will follow in the footsteps of other successful academic entrepreneurs from Rice, whether 3D printing blood tissues like Volumetric, electrifying chemical manufacturing like Syzygy, or developing cutting-edge AI systems like Rebellion Photonics.

Given Rice’s MOMENTOUS plan and the dedicated focus on commercialization of campus research, there has never been a better time to be a scientific founder at Rice. 

 

Eligibility

The fellowship is open to current Ph.D. students and postdocs at Rice University. Candidates from all Rice Engineering and Science-related disciplines are encouraged to apply. If not a U.S. citizen, the Fellow needs to be on a visa appropriate for a student or Rice employee for the duration of the fellowship (typically 12 months). The Fellow must be working on university research at Rice, with a faculty PI or advisor providing a Letter of Support for their selection.

 

Application Process

Ready to apply?

Check out the Innovation Fellows Application Questions, then click below to get started.

APPLY NOW

Deadline is October 21, 2025.

If you have any questions or want to chat about your idea, reach out to
Innovation Fellows Program Director, Caroline Arzoo, at caroline.arzoo@rice.edu.