Tag: Program
Opportunities

Last Days to Apply for MIEHT: Applications Close April 30

There is still time to apply for the Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship Honors Track (MIEHT), but the deadline is quickly approaching. Applications for the next MIEHT cohort will close on April 30. Hosted by BioVentures at UAMS, MIEHT is a four-year honors track designed for medical students who want to build the skills to identify unmet clinical needs, develop practical healthcare solutions, and explore the path from innovation to implementation. The program gives students hands-on exposure to clinical problem-solving, customer discovery, early-stage innovation, and healthcare entrepreneurship. Through MIEHT, participants learn how to move beyond identifying problems in medicine to actively designing solutions that improve care delivery, clinical workflows, and patient outcomes. Students in the program gain access to mentorship, innovation frameworks, commercialization guidance, and a growing community of clinician-innovators working to improve healthcare from within. MIEHT is designed for students interested in innovation, translational problem-solving, and the future of healthcare, whether their interests lie in devices, systems, workflows, or new models of care. If you are interested in becoming part of the next cohort, now is the time to apply. Applications close April 30. Click here to Apply Now

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April 27, 2026
Events

BioVentures and ARise Host Founder’s Forum to Equip UAMS Innovators with Fundraising Strategies  

BioVentures, in partnership with ARise, brought together emerging innovators and entrepreneurs for the first Founder’s Forum, a program designed to support UAMS-affiliated startup founders and teams working to translate research into real-world impact.  ARise, a program supporting Arkansas innovators, startups, and entrepreneurs and backed by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), assists tech and tech-enabled companies in reaching new levels of success.  The session featured Melissa Kempkes, Executive Director of Ark Angel Alliance and ARise subject-matter expert, who led an engaging discussion on fundraising strategies for bio startups. Drawing on her experience working with early-stage companies and investors, Kempkes provided practical guidance to help founders navigate the complexities of securing capital—from initial exploration to active company building.  The Founder’s Forum serves as a dynamic platform for UAMS biotech startup founders at all stages, from those exploring commercialization pathways to those actively building and scaling ventures.  Through this ongoing series, BioVentures and ARise are strengthening the UAMS innovation ecosystem by connecting founders with expert insights, resources, and a growing network of support.  “Programs like Founder’s Forum are critical to helping innovators move beyond the lab and into the marketplace,” said Eric Peterson, President of BioVentures. “By bringing together experienced leaders and emerging founders, we’re accelerating the path from discovery to impact.”  BioVentures and ARise remain committed to empowering UAMS entrepreneurs and advancing innovations that improve health and drive economic growth across Arkansas and beyond. 

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March 24, 2026
Blog

Applications Now Open for BioVentures’ Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship Honors Track (MIEHT) 

The MIEHT program offers structured training in need identification, customer discovery, problem triaging, and iterative solution development. Through seminars, hands-on exploration, and mentorship, students gain practical experience in evaluating clinical challenges and advancing innovative concepts that can improve patient care and healthcare system efficiency. 

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February 20, 2026
Blog

BioVentures Supports UAMS M1 Students in PCAR Summer Program

BioVentures supported University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) first-year medical students this summer through the Partnership in Cancer Research (PCAR) program. Over eight weeks, participants worked in multidisciplinary teams to address real-world challenges in cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or survivorship. The program culminated in entrepreneurial pitch presentations to a panel of judges. Three BioVentures team members served as mentors, advising students on refining problem statements, assessing market opportunities, and developing business models. Another team member participated as a judge, providing feedback from a commercialization perspective. The collaboration aimed to foster entrepreneurial thinking, highlight the role of innovation in cancer care, and encourage future clinician-innovators at UAMS. This initiative reflects BioVentures’ ongoing commitment to advancing healthcare entrepreneurship and translating research into real-world impact.

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August 5, 2025
Blog

Building Translational Skills: Inside the 2025 BioVentures Internship 

BioVentures’ 2025 interns modernized core data systems and explored how UAMS innovations reach the market, bridging science and business.  BioVentures is wrapping up its 2025 Internship Program on August 1, with two standout students who have brought fresh energy and dedication to the office: Carter Horton and Nyera Ali.   Carter, a sophomore in Biomedical Engineering and National Merit Scholar at the University of Arkansas, described his experience by saying: “This internship has shown me how science and business connect to improve lives. It’s exciting to see it firsthand.”  Nyera, a rising senior at Pulaski Academy, is a Model United Nations standout and one of only seven students from Arkansas selected to compete at the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair for her genome-editing research. Participating through the Summer Research Institute (SRI), she has been working with Dr. Mitch McGill on research involving acetaminophen-induced liver injury.   Throughout the summer, both interns have played a role in transferring and organizing key data into a new system, a project that will serve as the foundation for future operations at BioVentures. In doing so, they’ve gained direct exposure to the process of technology transfer and learned how discoveries at UAMS move from the lab into the real world through commercialization.  We’re grateful to have had them with us this summer and look forward to seeing where their paths lead next.  Interested in interning with BioVentures in 2026? Contact tforcum@uams.edu. 

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July 31, 2025
ACTIVE

Learn About ACTIVE at Virtual Open House 

The Arkansas Collaborative for Technological and Innovative Venture Equality (ACTIVE) is hosting two online information session events. Interact live with leadership to learn more about ACTIVE and find out if you are a good candidate for the program.

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October 25, 2024