Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA,
Professor-in-residence in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
UCLA Biodesign Program 2021-2022 Accelerator Fellow
Dr. Nelson SooHoo, is a 2019 UCLA Innovation Fund awardee and 2022 UCLA Biodesign Accelerator fellow. In 2019, he received an award from the UCLA Innovation Fund to develop a mechanized system to assist with the operative reduction and setting of long bone fractures. He is now working with Dr. Tyler Clites, also a UCLA Biodesign Accelerator fellow, to revolutionize the approach to arthritic joint treatment.
“The UCLA Innovation Fund and Biodesign Program truly deliver on the promise to partner with faculty in leveraging academic discoveries to benefit the world.
“The UCLA Innovation Fund provided the key support that allowed me to develop a surgical device to the stage where it was successfully licensed. That support was not only financial but even more importantly included experienced mentors and an ecosystem that empowered me to push through the challenges of product design, engineering, securing intellectual property, and developing a regulatory strategy. Dr. Matthew Savary and Dr. Thomas Lipkin were critical partners in every stage of development. Dr. Savary worked side by side with me and was tireless in his support. It was through his constant efforts that we both completed the prototype and identified the licensee.
“Dr. Jennifer McCaney’s mentorship was the other essential piece that helped guide me through the long process of developing this device. Her expert advice enabled me to apply for an NSF STTR Phase I grant that is in the final stages for approval. In addition, her strong commitment to nurturing the innovation ecosystem has helped identify the right people and resources at the critical times they were needed.”