Fischell Institute Invests $150K Across Three Professional Track Faculty Projects to Advance Early Stage Medical Device Development

The Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices invested $150,000 in three research projects through its 2026 Professional Track Faculty Innovator Program to support multidisciplinary teams advancing early stage medical device technologies.

A follow on to the institute’s Young Investigator Fellowship Program, each team receives $50,000 for prototyping, data generation and regulatory strategy, with projects expected to conclude by August 1, 2026.

“The Fischell Institute is in a sweet spot for developing early ideas and technologies into products with real-world impact,” said William Bentley, director of the Fischell Institute. "We do this by starting with basic concepts to build working prototypes. At the same time, we mentor the innovative, smart, and hardworking individuals who are behind these technologies to help ensure their success.”

Taj Kumari Yeruva, assistant research professor in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and member of Associate Professor and Fischell Institute Affiliate Fellow Gregg Duncan’s Respiratory NanoBioengineering (RnB) Lab, is leading a project to develop a sprayable hydrogel that can deliver allergy medication into the nose over an extended period of time. To accomplish this, the team will develop a fluticasone-loaded formulation and evaluate its efficacy in a preclinical model. If successful, this approach could reduce dosing frequency from once daily to potentially once weekly, improving patient convenience and adherence.

“I am excited about the opportunity to demonstrate that sustained drug delivery for up to

a week is feasible in the nasal cavity,” said Yervua. “If successful, this work has potential applications across a broad range of respiratory conditions, including chronic rhinosinusitis and respiratory infections.”

Eunkyoung Kim, assistant research professor at the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research in Research Professor and Fischell Fellow Greg Payne’s lab, is developing a direct electrochemiluminescence assay to measure oxidative stress levels in patients with schizophrenia. By capturing overall redox activity through a blood test, the approach aims to provide a more comprehensive and quantitative assessment of physiological health.

“I am excited about developing a new way to measure complex biological systems and translating it into a practical biomedical device that can improve patient care,” said Kim. “The technology is compatible with compact, device-based platforms, making it suitable for clinical and potential point-of-care use.”

Valinteshley Pierre, a postdoctoral associate in the Fischell Institute in Professor of Translational Engineering Christopher Jewell’s research lab, is advancing a microneedle-based platform for treating autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. The dissolvable microneedles are designed to deliver targeted signals to immune cells in the skin, promoting antigen-specific tolerance without broad immune suppression. The work will focus on validation in human skin models to support clinical translation.

“The ability to use human skin models is an exciting step that pushes our research beyond the lab, and it's my first time working directly with human tissue — which makes the translational potential feel very real,” Pierre said.

Together, these three projects reflect the institute’s continued focus on multidisciplinary collaboration and advancing technologies toward real-world impact.

“The PTK Innovator Program recognizes that so often it is the professional track faculty member that is the kernel of success,” said Bentley. “We decided to position our precious resources to build this base within the university and are excited to have made these awards. When you read about these technologies and the individuals behind them, you'll surely witness the passion and excitement that they exude."

Published April 17, 2026