Polsky Center Welcomes 5 Fellows and Associates Taking on Roles Across Two New Programs
The Polsky Center is welcoming five new faces this summer taking on roles across two new fellowship programs.
The Polsky Innovation Fellowship features three 4+1 students with technical backgrounds to support analytical and marketing work for the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the Polsky Science & Technology Fellowship consists of two PhD students in the sciences who focus on screening new invention disclosures for potential intellectual property protection and analyzing the commercial landscape.
We met with each of the five new associates and fellows taking on these roles to learn more about their backgrounds, expertise, and what they’re most excited for in their new roles.
Innovation Fellowship
Isis Decrem
Tell us about your background.
I am a CS major from Palo Alto. I built my own company and participated in a small accelerator program run by Mozilla. This was my first “entrepreneurial” venture. I worked at a startup called Ameelio in high school which won a NYT Best Tech Award. At UChicago, I initially came in as a biology and chemistry student, potentially interested in medical school or biotech. I’ve worked in labs on campus and also was part of a VC club on campus. I found myself much more drawn to working with startups and changed my major to CS. I was the VP of community relations and philanthropy for my sorority on campus, AOII. I have also spent time coding some of my own apps for fun on campus.
How will your background help you excel in the role?
From working at startups, I have gained a diverse set of skills and found comfort in chaos. I love taking on new projects and learning just about anything. Through my formal studies in both science and CS, I believe I have a great academic background to be working with the deep tech companies we support at Polsky.
What are you most excited for in your role?
I am very excited to get more experience in the business aspect of the tech world and learn more about investing! I am also really excited to see the types of new technologies being bred out of the UChicago ecosystem, as well as in our accelerators’ focus areas around the planet.
What are your hobbies?
I love to exercise. I recently got into running and did the Spring Half Marathon. In California, I surf. I also enjoy (trying) to cook, spending time with friends, reading fiction, listening to podcasts, and a good old movie night.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
My mom is a huge dog lover. At one point, we (illegally) had four rescue dogs. My dad is a Belgian immigrant, and my mom is Korean American.
Alex Mosher
Tell us about your background.
I am a rising 4th year at the College studying data science. Prior to Polsky, I worked remotely part time at TipTop technologies — an AI startup out of Silicon Valley. In summers past, I completed a software internship at Haske Ventures in Dakar, Senegal, and was a remote finance intern for a pharmaceutical company called Tolmar. I went to high school in Aspen, Colorado, and lived in India and England prior to that.
How will your background help you excel in the role?
I think my mix of technical skills and professional experience in a variety of industries will help me bring a unique set of skills to Polsky.
What are you most excited for in your role?
I am most excited to apply some of my technical skills as a data science major to real world applications during my time at Polsky.
What are your hobbies?
In my free time I enjoy playing tennis, golf, and snowboarding (when I can make it back to the mountains). I also enjoy programming apps and backpacking during my breaks.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I can speak Macedonian fluently!
Matthew Chang
Tell us about your background.
I’m an economics and computer science double major at UChicago, heading into the 4+1 financial mathematics program. I’ve previously held roles in project management and strategy in startups and a VC, so I’m interested in further exploring the startup space.
How will your background help you excel in the role?
I believe these experiences will help me lead and coordinate projects while leveraging my strategic insight in order to make these projects meaningful and create value for the Polsky Center. I also bring an interdisciplinary, quantitative expertise that will help me understand the market dynamics and technological innovation behind a successful startup.
What are you most excited for in your role?
I look forward to working closely with startups in such a crucial stage of their life cycle, learning more about the startup and commercialization ecosystem from a university’s perspective, and potentially contributing to real and impactful work that the Polsky Center is doing.
What are your hobbies?
In my free time, I like to cook (I’ve been recently testing out a new pasta recipe).
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
For my 20th birthday, my friends and I drove three hours to Bojangles (I talk about it too much as a North Carolinian).
Science & Tech Fellowship
Montserrat Kwan
Tell us about your background.
I am currently pursuing my PhD in immunology, focusing on how the microbes in our bodies influence the immune response to organ transplantation. My research aims to identify microbiota-based biomarkers that can non-invasively predict heart transplant rejection, ultimately improving patient outcomes. This clinical focus has driven my passion for translating innovative technologies from the laboratory into products that can significantly enhance people’s lives. Throughout my graduate studies, I have engaged in multidisciplinary research, collaborating with a diverse team of clinicians, clinical researchers, bioinformaticians, and research faculty from various institutions, which has enriched my understanding of both the scientific and practical aspects of technology commercialization.
How will your background help you excel in the role?
My background in immunology, particularly my work on the microbiome and organ transplantation, has equipped me with a strong foundation in scientific research and critical thinking. This experience has taught me to approach complex problems methodically, from hypothesis generation to data analysis. My ability to communicate effectively with diverse teams and present complex scientific concepts to various audiences will be invaluable in evaluating and marketing new technologies. Additionally, my leadership roles in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have honed my skills in project management and collaboration, which are crucial for navigating the multifaceted aspects of technology commercialization.
What are you most excited for in your role?
I am most excited about the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with the Polsky Science and Technology team. The chance to gain insights from scientific, legal, and business perspectives is incredibly appealing, as it will broaden my understanding of the entire technology commercialization process. I am particularly enthusiastic about applying my scientific expertise to evaluate new invention disclosures and explore their commercial potential, especially in areas outside of my own scientific discipline of transplantation immunology.
What are your hobbies?
I love staying active (especially by doing pilates and biking on the lakeside trail) and baking. I have an egg allergy, so I’m always on the lookout for exciting alternative recipes!
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I recently drove around the entire island of Iceland in five days!
Dean Zhou
Tell us about your background.
I am currently a 4th year PhD candidate in immunology at the Biological Sciences Division. I previously completed my undergraduate studies at University of California, San Diego, in biochemistry/cell biology and economics. My research focuses on modulating pancreatic disease progression through the gut-pancreas axis. To complement my scientific background, I completed several internships focusing on technology translation and commercialization during my graduate study.
How will your background help you excel in the role?
This interdisciplinary background will enable me to excel in this role that requires integration of scientific and commercial perspectives. I’m most excited about using my skillset to facilitate novel therapeutic development and contribute to improving clinical outcomes.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
During my spare time, I enjoy outdoor hikes and tennis. I am also looking to complete my skydiving license in the near future.