Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ambassadors Program

The College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ambassadors (I&E Ambassadors) program extends Purdue University’s broader Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellows program, which spans all colleges across campus. The university-wide initiative aims to integrate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within each department by leveraging the unique strengths and perspectives of chosen ambassadors from various disciplines.

HHS I&E Ambassadors, who are selected for their innovative contributions and leadership within their fields, play a pivotal role in mentoring peers, facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations and promoting a dynamic exchange of ideas. They are instrumental in connecting the dots between academic research and real-world application, encouraging faculty and students to explore and maximize the commercial potential of their innovations. This program not only supports the college’s mission to revolutionize health sciences education through hands-on learning and practical applications but also aligns with a university-wide effort to foster an environment where academic creativity sparks tangible entrepreneurial outcomes.

Information on how the HHS I&E Ambassadors program integrates with the university-wide initiative can be found on the Purdue’s Office of Research website.

Faculty and students — both in HHS and across campus —  who are  interested in innovation and entrepreneurship activities in HHS, should contact Joshua Alexander, HHS Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fellow, to discuss opportunities, collaborations and ways to engage with the HHS Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ambassadors program.

HHS I&E Ambassadors

College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS)  Innovation and Entrepreneurship  Ambassadors (I&E Ambassadors) collectively bring a diversity and depth of expertise across various research areas and professional disciplines. The group includes assistant to full professors with expertise in health and kinesiology; health sciences; hospitality and tourism management; human development and family science; nursing; psychological sciences; public health;  and speech, language and hearing sciences. Research spans critical areas such as cardiovascular health, cognitive development, environmental and occupational health, speech and swallowing disorders, and the intersection of technology with health outcomes. Several ambassadors have pioneered innovative therapies and interventions, developed groundbreaking diagnostic tools, and engaged in transformative research that has led to patents and the commercialization of their discoveries.

Clinical backgrounds among the ambassadors inform their research, allowing them to integrate practical health care experiences with academic insights, thereby leading to the development of novel medical devices, therapeutic protocols and educational curricula to address widespread health issues and improve patient care.

HHS I&E Ambassadors have an impressive involvement in entrepreneurial activities, with many having founded startups, collaborated with industry leaders, and/or secured significant grant funding from prestigious institutions like the NIH. These entrepreneurial projects enhance Purdue’s research portfolio and foster a culture of innovation and commercial application of research findings within HHS.

This exceptional group of ambassadors will drive Purdue University’s focus on innovation and entrepreneurship by leveraging their collective expertise to mentor emerging innovators, forge interdisciplinary collaborations, and transform the landscape of health science education and research.