Title: My Journey from Industry to Academia: Importance of Basic and Applied Science in Industrial Research and Translation 

Speaker: Dr. Chris Puleo, General Electric Global Research - Lead Biomedical Engineer

Abstract: For 15 years I worked at an industrial research site on projects focused on understanding and applying the fundamental science behind ultrasound neuromodulation, biomolecular and cellular separations, and discrete/digital assays and technologies. As I begin a new chapter of my research career in an academic position, I’d like to point out key/fundamental first experiments that led to new strategic understanding of non-invasive peripheral neuromodulation, highlight scientific insights that were key in developing proof-of-concept clinical trials, and discuss remaining questions and unknowns that need to be addressed for continued development of this promising new technology. 

Bio: Chris is new associate professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Chris was originally a RPI graduate (Biomedical Engineering, ’03) and received a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins Medical School in 2009. Chris’ graduate work was in the BioMEMS lab of Jeff Wang and focused on combining microfluidics and single molecule imaging techniques for diagnostics. Since graduating, Chris has worked at General Electric’s corporate research center on both private and government healthcare related projects. For the last 8 years at GE Chris has pioneered ultrasound-based neuromodulation therapies with his teams at GE, applying these new tools to combat chronic diseases (such as type 2 diabetes) in both pre-clinical and clinical trials. Chris is an inventor on 38 granted patents and has 40+ peer-reviewed publications. As a principal investigator, Chris has led GE, NIH, DTRA, DARPA, Navy/MTEC, and BARDA-funded teams and his ultrasound therapy team recently won the phase 1 and 2a NIH Neuromod prize.