Intro to the Polsky Center: Resources for Research Trainees
Monday, January 30, 2023, 5:30 – 6:30 PM CST
The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides a variety of pathways for you to explore how entrepreneurship intersects with your academic and career interests. This seminar will cover opportunities for PhD students and postdocs to engage with Polsky programs and build your entrepreneurial skillset. In addition, you will learn how to leverage your strengths in the world of startups – there are more similarities than differences between scientists and entrepreneurs!
Ellen Zatkowski
Senior Associate Director for Science Programs and Student Engagement, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Ellen serves as senior associate director for science programs and student engagement at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She leads the Polsky I-Corps program where she supports faculty, researchers, and students as they explore the commercial potential for early-stage technologies and ideas. Ellen also oversees all student programming and engagement in Polsky’s Deep Tech Ventures group, including the Innovation Fund Associates and Collaboratorium.
Prior to joining Polsky, Ellen managed the college success program for a Chicago non-profit serving low-income students. In that role, she managed a team that supported and advised students as they navigated higher education. She got her start in entrepreneurship education at Babson College where she worked in the undergraduate admissions office. Ellen earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan and a BA in history from Boston College.
Ken Onishi, PhD
Associate Manager for Business Development and Licensing, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Ken serves as associate manager for business development and licensing at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Ken works with faculty in the Duchossois Family Institute to build partnerships with companies working in the microbiome and helps researchers transform their ideas and discoveries into licenses, products, services, and startups.
Prior to joining Polsky, Ken managed the chronobiology and neuroimmunology laboratory at the Institute for Mind and Biology. He earned his PhD in integrative neuroscience from the University of Chicago and his research focused on circadian rhythms and sex differences in biomedical research. While pursuing his doctoral degree, Ken performed due diligence as a George Schultz Innovation Fund Associate and screened novel University technologies for scientific merit, market size, and consumer adoption.
