Meharry Medical College is proud to be part of the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps) program—an esteemed national initiative that helps researchers and innovators transform their discoveries into real-world solutions. Through this partnership, Meharry is advancing its commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact. 

In 2023, Meharry received a five-year, $3 million award from the National Science Foundation to grow its innovation and commercialization efforts. This work equips Meharry’s faculty, students, and researchers with entrepreneurial skills, connects them with industry partners, and supports the development of new technologies that address urgent healthcare and societal challenges. 

Meharry’s participation is part of a larger regional effort led by Dr. Charleson Bell at Vanderbilt University, who serves as the Principal Investigator (PI) for the overall grant. Dr. Shanker leads the program at Meharry, alongside Dr. Aramandla Ramesh (Co-Investigator), Dr. Pius Nde (Faculty Lead), and Evelina Naish (Program Manager). 

Through I-Corps, Meharry is building a pipeline of innovation that moves ideas from the lab to the marketplace—while furthering its historic mission of improving health outcomes and serving the underserved.