Din Selmanovic

My Summer at Neuro360: Bridging Neuroscience and Innovation in St. Louis

Din Selmanovic

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with Neuro360 at BioSTL with Eric Gulve and Alex Stinson. What began as a chance to contribute to a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant application blossomed into a transformative experience that reshaped my understanding of neuroscience research, technology transfer, and the vital role of innovation ecosystems.

NEURO360 is a new startup from BioSTL and BioGenerator in collaboration with WashU and aims to foster a vibrant and inclusive neuroscience ecosystem in St. Louis. The overarching goals aim to promote wellness in under-served populations, tackle neurological health inequalities, and champion responsible, innovative, and people-focused technologies and practices for the future. This initiative seeks to leverage St. Louis’s nationally acclaimed neuroscience and neurotechnology research, including our new state-of-the-art academic neuroscience research facility. The project builds on recent collaborative efforts by academic institutions, businesses, philanthropic organizations, civic leaders, and community groups to strategically boost the local economy through innovation and entrepreneurship in the neuroscience sector.

This initiative aims to accelerate the translation of groundbreaking neuroscience research into real-world applications, positioning St. Louis as a leading biotech hub in the Midwest. To do this, one of my major projects throughout the summer was helping in their application for an NSF Engine Type 2 grant. An NSF Engine Type 2 grant is a large-scale funding initiative designed to create regional innovation ecosystems. It aims to support collaborative efforts between academia, industry, government, and communities to drive technological breakthroughs and economic growth in specific geographic areas. As I delved into the intricacies of the grant writing process, I gained invaluable insights into the NSF’s mission and the complex landscape of federal research funding. Primarily I helped  by researching currently funded NSF engines, contacting St. Louis Faculty to create research databases and working on some research, graphic design and writing for economic impact and goals of NEURO360. Furthermore, working on various sections of the grant application allowed me to flex my writing and analytical skills in new ways. I conducted in-depth research on cutting-edge neuroscience developments emerging from faculty labs across the St. Louis area. This not only expanded my knowledge of current trends in neuroscience but also gave me a deeper appreciation for the breadth and depth of research happening in our region.

In preparing the Type 2 Engine grant, the most rewarding aspect of my time was the opportunity to connect with local stakeholders invested in making St. Louis a neuroscience powerhouse. I participated in meetings and discussions with representatives from universities, biotech companies, investors, and economic development organizations. These interactions  and connections I made illuminated the complex ecosystem required to support innovation and highlighted the importance of collaboration across institutional boundaries. Likewise, to see the overarching common goal across all stakeholders of creating and boosting St. Louis as a city for neuroscience biotech felt inspiring, especially with large focuses on helping the communities at home.

Aside from my work on the NSF grant, one of the most enlightening aspects of my internship was learning about technology transfer – the process of moving scientific discoveries from the lab to the marketplace. This opened my eyes to a world beyond pure academic research, where scientific breakthroughs can be transformed into products and services that directly impact people’s lives. I was fascinated by the challenges and opportunities inherent in this process, from intellectual property considerations to regulatory hurdles and learning firsthand about the major decisions and considerations to consider when taking academic research to the therapeutic, medical device and technology markets.

Although I can’t give specific details on many of the ventures I was exploring, I can say that a significant portion of my time was dedicated to researching technologies from St. Louis faculty, current competitors and potential markets and their subsequent sizing. This experience taught me to view scientific advancements through a commercial lens, considering factors such as potential customer base, competitive disease landscape, and economic viability. It was a valuable exercise in bridging the gap between scientific possibility and market reality. Likewise, my meetings with various stakeholders at universities who help with commercialization, I learned more about the pathway within academia in which institutions help to drive commercialization forward.

As I reflect on my summer with Neuro360, I’m struck by how this experience has reshaped my approach to my own laboratory work. I now have a deeper understanding of the potential real-world impact of the research we conduct daily. This perspective has instilled in me a greater sense of purpose and a desire to consider the translational potential of my work from the outset. The internship also provided a crash course in effective collaboration. Working alongside individuals from various universities and backgrounds taught me the value of diverse perspectives in problem-solving. I learned to navigate different communication styles, reconcile conflicting priorities, and contribute meaningfully to a team with a shared vision. Moving forward, I feel better equipped to bridge the gap between academic research and practical application. I’ve gained a new appreciation for the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the role of innovation in driving scientific progress. Most importantly, I’ve seen firsthand the exciting possibilities that emerge when brilliant minds come together with a shared goal of improving lives through neuroscience.

My summer with Neuro360 was more than just an internship; it was a glimpse into the future of neuroscience research and innovation and the potential for a transitional career from academia to biotech and the startup sphere. As I return to my studies and laboratory work, I carry with me a wealth of knowledge, a network of inspiring connections, and a renewed passion for the transformative power of neuroscience. I’m excited to see how this experience will shape my academic journey and future career in the field and cannot wait to see the success that NEURO360 will bring to the St. Louis region and the patients it serves.