How are you involved with the Keller Center?
I became involved with the Keller Center through Alimtas, an organization I co-founded and led. Drawing its name from the famous and life saving drug Alimta discovered right here at Princeton, Alimtas is a subteam of the Princeton Entrepreneurship Club focused on exposing undergraduates to biotechnology and life sciences entrepreneurship. Through a unique partnership with the Office of Technology Licensing, Alimtas helps spin out high impact life science research into new ventures through rigorous due diligence and business development. With the Keller Center's support, the organization now has fifteen members, has raised over $40,000, and has pitched new ventures to prominent venture capitalists and life science companies.
What advice would you have for students about getting involved at the Keller Center?
Princeton University is a place full of opportunities. As students, we should aspire to make a change and a difference during our four short years. In my experience, the Keller Center is a vehicle for creating that sort of impact. I would urge students to invest the time early in their academic journey to understand how entrepreneurial thinking can fit into their education. Whether that be pursuing the Entrepreneurship Certificate, Tiger Challenge, E-Club, or starting your organization, the Keller Center can provide the structure and means for bringing entrepreneurship into your life.
How have you benefited from your involvement with the Keller Center?
In completing the Entrepreneurship Certificate, I have benefitted immensely from the Keller Center. Alongside extracurricular activities such as Alimtas, the Keller Center curriculum has brought me close to mentors like Professor Shahram Hejazi and Professor Christopher Kuenne. Both mentors have taught me the ins and outs of venture capital and high tech entrepreneurship and, more importantly, sparked my interest to learn more. The quality and longevity of relationships made at the Keller Center will perhaps be some of the best you ever make at Princeton.
What are your academic or career goals?
In the future, I would hope to start and lead a biotechnology company that applies immunology to fight diseases like cancer or Alzheimer's. It would be exciting to unite business, science, and medicine together to help patients.