Meharry SACS is pleased to announce that David Lockett, Ph.D. student in data science, and Courtney Quarterman, Ph.D. candidate in data science, have been accepted to the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) Innovation Fellowship, a competitive six-week program designed to advance research commercialization and entrepreneurship across Tennessee’s universities and research institutions.
The fellowship will provide valuable opportunities to refine strategic approaches, build meaningful connections within Tennessee’s innovation ecosystem and advance toward successful commercialization. Lockett and Quarterman’s acceptance into this selective program represents an important step in developing innovative solutions that address real-world industry challenges.
About the TTAC Innovation Fellowship
The TTAC Innovation Fellowship is a cohort-based program led by Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN) that bridges the gap between academic research and real-world commercial application. The fellowship provides innovators with the tools, connections, and strategic guidance needed to transform their research into marketable solutions.
Over the course of six weeks, participants engage in:
- Interactive workshops focused on refining commercialization strategies
- Weekly cohort sessions with fellow innovators and entrepreneurs
- Industry connections with potential investors and business leaders
- Commercialization planning to move technologies closer to market readiness
Fellows also receive a $1,000 stipend upon successful completion of the program, recognizing their commitment to advancing innovation within Tennessee’s research ecosystem.
Meharry SACS’ Commitment to Innovation
Lockett and Quarterman’s selection is a testament to the innovative research environment Meharry SACS cultivates and its mission to train the next generation of scholars who not only advance academia, but also translate it into solutions that equitably serve diverse communities. As a historically Black institution, Meharry SACS is committed to ensuring that voices and perspectives from underrepresented institutions play a central role in shaping Tennessee’s growing innovation economy.
Programs like the TTAC Innovation Fellowship complement Meharry SACS’ broader efforts to connect our researchers and students with entrepreneurial pathways, proof-of-concept funding opportunities, SBIR/STTR support and industry partnerships that can accelerate the journey from research to real-world impact.
We congratulate David and Courtney on this achievement and look forward to the insights and innovations that will emerge from this experience.
For more information about the TTAC Innovation Fellowship and Launch Tennessee’s programs supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, visit launchtn.org.
