Meet the 2025 Ecosystem Futures Fellowship Cohort

Higher education drives the breakthroughs that keep America competitive, transforming research into real-world innovation. VentureWell is proud to unveil the fellows and institutions of the inaugural cohort of the Ecosystem Futures Fellowship, a vital initiative designed to bridge the gap between academic research and market-ready solutions and strengthen the nation’s innovation and entrepreneurship (I&E) ecosystem.

This distinguished group of 26 fellows from 18 institutions represents a visionary network of faculty and university changemakers who are committed to transforming their campuses into regional innovation hubs and leading the charge in reimagining how universities cultivate and scale innovation. Through bold policy, programs, and partnerships, these fellows are translating cutting-edge research and development (R&D) into practical I&E applications, driving rapid innovation in science and technology to tackle today’s most pressing challenges. We are excited about the work ahead, as our distinctive fellowship experience will push the boundaries of innovation.

Join us in celebrating this outstanding cohort of leaders, who will champion institutional transformation and build lasting pathways for innovation in higher education.

states represented, by fellows spanning 5 regions

159

proposals submitted, with an 8% acceptance rate

65%

of applicants from Emerging Research Institutions

Each team of fellows will receive $35,000 in funding. This includes a $10,000 award and a $7,500 travel stipend per team member. The teams will also participate in 12 months of immersive programming, and collaborate within a vibrant community of practice to drive long-term change. Through research, experiential learning, and cross-sector partnerships, they will build ecosystem action plans needed to support sustainable STEM entrepreneurial ecosystems.

“For 30 years, VentureWell has pioneered the integration of I&E into institutional culture. This fellowship advances that legacy by showcasing the exceptional talent within our nation’s higher education landscape, including HBCUs and Minority-Serving Institutions. This talented cohort brings unique strengths and perspectives, enriching the national I&E landscape.”

—Demetria Gallagher, vice president of Higher Education Innovation Ecosystems, VentureWell

Driving Transformation in STEM Ecosystems

The selected fellows are leading groundbreaking initiatives, such as innovating institutional policy, embedding social and environmental sustainability into STEM curricula, and expanding access to entrepreneurial resources for underrepresented students, researchers, and faculty. Their work will strengthen STEM I&E by building and fostering ecosystems that embrace R&D translation, driving lasting economic and social impact.

Learn more about how these changemakers are shaping the future of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Introducing the Pioneers Shaping the Future of STEM: Our Inaugural Cohort

Arizona State University

Team Members: Dr. Maribel Guerrero, Dr. Donald Siegel

Increasing Engagement of Minority Students in Technology Transfer and Academic Entrepreneurship

Futures in Focus—What To Watch: Co-designing a STEM I&E action plan with minority students that addresses immersion barriers in tech transfer and academic entrepreneurship.

Dillard University

Team Members: Dr. Kendric Stewart, Dr. Courtney Williams

Sustainable STEM Pathways through Policy, Partnerships, and Entrepreneurship

Futures in Focus—What To Watch: Expanding opportunities for students and faculty through promotion and tenure reform, technology transfer office establishment, and experiential interdisciplinary education.

Florida A&M University & Tuskegee University & Clayton State University

Team Members: Dr. Jason Black, Harold Lundy

Expose, Empower, and Elevate: Multi-University STEM I&E Ecosystem To Accelerate Socially Conscious Solutions

Futures in Focus—What to Watch: Collaboration between three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to accelerate the development of socially conscious STEM innovation and entrepreneurship.

Florida Atlantic University

Team Members: Dr. Kevin Cox, Regina Thompson

TREE—Translational Research for Entrepreneurship Engagement

Futures in Focus—What To Watch: Creating a fundamental shift in the way STEM research is conducted and translated in the real world.

Hampton University

Team Members: Dr. Farzaneh Soflaei, Dr. Daya Taylor

A Cross-Disciplinary Approach to Empowering Minority Students in Environmental and Socially Responsible Entrepreneurship

Futures in Focus—What To Watch: Cultivating collaborations among architecture, engineering, and environmental sciences for a multi-perspective approach to sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship.

Montana State University

Team Members: Prof. Paul Gannon, Prof. Brooke Lahneman

Fostering Inclusive Participation in a Sustainable Future Through STEM I&E Ecosystem Growth

Futures in Focus—What To Watch: Leveraging dozens of community partners and centering Indigenous ways of knowing to become a leader of inclusive STEM I&E for a sustainable future.

Old Dominion University

Team Members: Dr. Dalya Ismael, Dr. Kevin Leslie

Policy-Driven Transformation To Address Health Equity, Climate Resilience, and Community Engagement

Futures in Focus—What To Watch: Leveraging Old Dominion University’s merger with Eastern Virginia Medical School to expand interdisciplinary impact and policy reforms that incentivize innovation.

Pennsylvania State University—Penn State Berks & Clark Atlanta University

Team Members: Prof. Elizabeth Deimeke (Clark Atlanta University), Dr. Sadan Kulturel-Konak (Pennsylvania State University—Penn State Berks)

Sustainable Impact for Underrepresented Entrepreneurs and Innovators Through Inclusive STEM I&E Ecosystem Collaborations

Futures in Focus—What To Watch: Reducing food insecurity through co-curricular, community-based programming across Pennsylvania and Georgia.

Purdue University Northwest

Team Members: Dr. Mathew Hanson, Prof. Alexandra Moran

Enhancing Entrepreneurial Education by Building Startup Networks

Futures in Focus—What To Watch: Connecting student innovators to the Venture Ready Financials program and the new Northwest Indiana Angels Network to encourage STEM commercialization.

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff & University of Arkansas Main Campus

Team Members: Dr. Meredith Adkins (University of Arkansas Main Campus), Dr. Kimberly Haynie (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff)

A Convergence Approach To Make Arkansan Food Systems More Sustainable and Equitable

Futures in Focus—What To Watch: Fostering innovation that promotes sustainability, food equity, and community health in one of the most agriculturally fertile but food-insecure states in the U.S.

University of Michigan—Dearborn

Team Members: Dr. Bruce Maxim, Dr. Jie Shen

Emerging Computer Science Education for the Digital Transformation of Electric Vehicles

Futures in Focus—What To Watch: Infusing emerging computing techniques—artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), visual computing, and edge computing—into the digital transformation of electric vehicles, with a specific focus on sustainability.

Vanderbilt University & Meharry Medical College

Team Members: Jaclyn Mothupi, Evelina Naish

Better Together: Accelerating Sustainable Technology Commercialization Through Inter-Institutional Collaboration

Futures in Focus—What To Watch: Developing socially and environmentally sustainable ventures that improve the human condition.

Washington State University

Team Members: Karina Bloom, Olivia Coiado

Multidisciplinary Pathways for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEAMM)

Futures in Focus—What To Watch: Fostering STEAMM collaboration to build an interdisciplinary program for healthcare innovation.

Thank You to Our Funder

The Ecosystem Futures Fellowship is presented through the generous support of The Lemelson Foundation.

Loading the 2025 Ecosystem Futures Fellowship Cohort