What Does the Program Entail?

Fellows will embark on an enriching 8-week summer clinical immersion experience at IUSM, allowing them to observe and participate in clinical settings, gaining first-hand exposure to the needs and challenges faced by healthcare professionals. For students still in the early stages of their research, this clinical exposure is invaluable in shaping their future biomedical innovations.

Following the immersion, fellows will continue their journey through a fall semester of coursework. Students will choose from biomedical product translation classes such as BME 56100 Preclinical and Clinical Study Design, BME 59500 Biomedship or BME 59500 Entrepreneurship in BME. These courses delve into the complexities of turning research ideas into marketable biomedical products, focusing on critical study design, business strategy and the entrepreneurial process.

The program concludes with a spring regulatory class (BME 56200), which covers the crucial regulatory issues surrounding the approval of biomedical devices. Fellows will gain a comprehensive understanding of the steps required for clinical translation, including navigating the regulatory landscape of agencies like the US FDA.

Mentorship and Support

Each Bottorff Fellow is co-mentored by two faculty members—one from the Purdue College of Engineering and one from IUSM—ensuring students receive expert guidance from both the engineering and clinical perspectives. In addition, fellows are assigned an external industry mentor who will offer insights into innovation, clinical exposure, networking and general career development.

How to Apply

To apply for the Bottorff Fellowship, Purdue College of Engineering graduate students should submit the following by March 7, 2025:

• A completed application form (one-page limit)
• A resume/CV
• A letter of support from their research advisor or program administrator

Given that fellows receive a scholarship to support their tuition and living expenses during the summer clinical immersion, applicants should consult with their research mentors or program advisors before submitting their application.

Applications should be sent electronically as a single PDF file (application form, resume/CV) to Cindy Holderbaum at cholderb@purdue.edu.

This is an incredible opportunity to develop clinical exposure and understand the processes involved in taking biomedical innovations from the lab to the clinic. Don’t miss out on this chance to expand your knowledge and network within the biomedical field. Apply today!