Pitt’s first signing day for startups celebrated a milestone for researcher-entrepreneurs

At a Nov. 7 signing day event on campus, five high-performing stars donned their hats and signed their papers, affirming their commitment to Pitt in front of light-up letters and balloon arrangements. Roc the Panther posed for selfies, and "Sweet Caroline" played on the speakers.

But these signees weren't student-athletes choosing their team. They were Pitt innovators who recently spun off companies launched from their research to create products that fight cancer, improve wound care, support Black parents and more.

"We recognize that many of the qualities that make a five-star recruit also make our five-star innovators," said Evan Facher, Pitt vice chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship. "It takes a lot of effort to get these innovations from the lab to the market."

This was Pitt's first signing day for startups, an event created to spotlight scientists who are driving downfield to commercialize their research. The group joins Pitt's large and growing roster of researcher-entrepreneurs.

Spinning off their research into a company is critical step in taking their discoveries - work that may have otherwise remained largely theoretical, stuck in the form of scientific papers and conference abstracts - and translating it into something concrete and marketable that can benefit society directly.

Among the signees were fourth year medical student Adi Mittal, whose company is developing a blood test for cerebral aneurysms; School of Medicine Assistant Professor Jason Lohmueller, co-creator of a tool for delivering cancer immunotherapies; School of Social Work Assistant Professor James Huguley, who offers a curriculum to support Black parents; School of Medicine Associate Professor Trent Emerick, developing a device that stimulates nerves to remedy chronic pain; and School of Medicine Professor Michael Tsang, whose company is crafting new ways to treat wounds.

Each team thanked colleagues, present and not, who collaborate with them in their efforts to translate their research. That's another point that was repeated throughout the afternoon: Innovation, like sports, takes a team.