Application and Review Process

• Applications are accepted through Pitt InfoReady. Applications for fall 2026 open on Aug. 31.
• Eligible ideas are reviewed by the Pitt.INC Scientific Advisory Board in conjunction with OIE for scientific merit, commercial potential and program fit.
• Select applications are connected to the Pitt.INC Scientific Advisory Board in conjunction with OIE for project plan finalization.
• Final project plans and budgets are reviewed by the Pitt.INC Scientific Advisory Board in conjunction with OIE. Award decisions are then made.

Expectations After Funding

Funded projects will have a single quantifiable technical/scientific milestone designed to validate or invalidate a commercially targeted scientific hypothesis. The final milestone-based project plan is developed in collaboration with the Pitt.INC Scientific Advisory Board.

• Projects are expected to start within one month of the award date (pending any necessary regulatory approvals or purchasing contracts) and should have timelines no longer than 12 months. Applicants should ensure their timelines are appropriate for the proposed studies.
• Funding is managed by OSVCHS. Awardees will coordinate with OSVCHS on account administration.

Awardee Expectations

• Awardees are required to actively engage with OIE, regularly report on project progress and leverage support from Pitt’s innovation and commercialization ecosystem. Communications include a project kickoff meeting, progress reports, update meetings and a final report.
• During the award period, awardees agree not to pursue any third-party sponsored research opportunities to support the funded technology. Awardees in noncompliance with this condition will be required to repay the full award.

Funds from Pitt.INC may be used only for the direct costs of the activities outlined in the approved project plan and budget.

Eligible expenses include

• lab supplies, research models, prototyping supplies, fabrication or manufacturing expenses and trial costs;
• postdoc, student and technician salary and fringe;
• consultants, contract research organizations and service providers (All providers are required to assign IP rights to the University prior to beginning work); and
• travel costs related directly to meeting an approved milestone (with prior approval from OIE).

Ineligible expenses:

• Faculty salary and fringe
• Overhead/indirect costs
• Tuition
• Travel
• Capital equipment
• Computer equipment
• Publication costs

Registration for an informational webinar on Friday, Sept. 18 at noon is open.

What’s Next?

• At the end of the program, awardees are required to submit an invention disclosure to OIE.
• Awardees will discuss their invention disclosure with an OIE licensing manager and coordinate an IP management plan.
• Awardees will be connected to the larger innovation and commercialization ecosystem at the University to drive their projects toward societal impact.

2025 Awardees and Project Summaries

Faculty and student titles are accurate as of March 2025 when winners were announced.

Project Title: Rebuilding Neurons: A Novel Target as a Therapeutic Candidate in CTE

Awardees: Silas Davidson, a third-year undergraduate student studying biological sciences, and Eric Lechman, faculty principal investigator and assistant professor of medicine, School of Medicine

Summary: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease caused by repeated head trauma, with no current treatments targeting the underlying dysfunction. This project proposes targeting a specific protein as a novel therapeutic approach to restore neuronal integrity in CTE. Preliminary data suggest that enhancing this protein may counteract neuronal damage and support central nervous system function.

Project Title: Neuroimmune Modulation for Neurodegenerative Therapy

Awardee: Smita Iyer, associate professor of pathology, School of Medicine

Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and HIV-associated cognitive decline, are rapidly increasing and share a common driver: chronic neuroinflammation. This project introduces a novel therapeutic platform to target inflammation in the brain, promoting a neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory response. Through modulation of central nervous system immune function, this approach offers a first-in-class solution across multiple neuroinflammatory conditions.

Project Title: GeniX: Generative AI Platform for Personalized Clinical Certification Exam

Awardee: Bambang Parmanto, professor and chair, Department of Health Information Management, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Summary: Clinical programs rely on national certification exams, but current test preparation methods are time-intensive for faculty and lack personalized, data-driven support for students. GeniX is an AI-powered platform that tailors practice questions and tutoring based on individual student needs, aiming to improve exam pass rates. GeniX offers a scalable, cost-effective solution for clinical education programs across multiple health care disciplines.

Project Title: Objective Test for Diagnosis of Pulpitis

Awardee: Samer Zaky, research assistant professor, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, School of Dental Medicine

Summary: Root canal treatments often lead to long-term tooth loss, especially in adolescents, due to unreliable diagnostics that fail to distinguish between reversible and irreversible pulpitis. This project aims to develop an objective test of inflamed tooth pulp to guide treatment decisions and preserve dental health. Using cutting-edge precise, personalized diagnostics, this approach would revolutionize dental care by preserving tooth vitality and reducing unnecessary root canals.

Project Title: Evaluating A Novel Therapeutic Candidate for Ménière’s Disease

Awardee: Vincent Yuan, research assistant professor, Department of Otolaryngology, School of Medicine

Summary: Ménière’s disease is a chronic inner ear disorder characterized by vertigo, hearing loss and tinnitus, with no FDA-approved disease-modifying treatments. This project proposes using a novel therapy to reduce proinflammatory signaling and restore inner ear structural integrity. As a first-in-class therapy, this approach offers a more effective and safer alternative to current symptom-focused treatments for an underserved patient population.

Project Title: Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Chronic Kidney Disease

Awardee: David Gau, assistant professor of pathology, School of Medicine

Summary: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects more than 37 million U.S. adults and is associated with multiple comorbidities, creating a significant health care burden and highlighting the need for more effective treatments. This project explores a novel therapeutic approach to restore cellular function and slow CKD progression. This solution could lead to a first-in-class therapeutic platform for treating CKD and other metabolic diseases.