Training graduate students to commercialize Alzheimer's research
Official title: Rensselaer Alzheimer’s Fellows to Accelerate Entrepreneurship in Life Sciences (RAFAELs)
Funded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · NIH-10954540 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The RAFAELs program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is helping graduate students learn how to turn research about Alzheimer's and related dementias into real products and services, while also giving them hands-on experience through internships and support for starting their own businesses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Troy, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $263,355 |
| NIH project number | 1R25AG088409-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10954540 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are graduate students interested in entrepreneurship and commercialization in the field of Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not graduate students or who do not have an interest in the commercialization of research may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
The RAFAELs program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute focuses on training graduate students in the commercialization of research related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It includes annual summer courses that emphasize the translation of research into marketable solutions, enhanced by artificial intelligence and data science. Additionally, the program supports the development of startups and mandates industrial internships for fellows, helping them gain practical experience in the field. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications, fostering careers in the life sciences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative solutions and treatments for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, improving patient care and outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Similar programs have shown success in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in medical research, indicating a promising approach for this initiative.
Where this research is happening
-
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Chunyu — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- Study coordinator: Wang, Chunyu
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.