Faculty Innovation Pitch

The Faculty Innovation Pitch provides faculty with the opportunity to showcase the translational potential of their groundbreaking research. It is held in Winter and Spring quarters, and is hosted by the UC San Diego School of Biological Sciences in partnership with the Office of Innovation and Commercialization. Serving as a gateway to the Bridging Biomedical Breakthroughs (BBB) Summit, this event invites faculty to pitch their innovative ideas to a panel of distinguished investors, CEOs and industry leaders. These experts offer valuable feedback to support faculty in refining their approach, positioning their research for future funding, development, and real-world application.

Selected faculty from this event advance to present their research at the BBB Summit, where they are introduced to a broader audience of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and life sciences leaders. The faculty pitch plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of innovation, bridging the gap between academia and industry. By connecting researchers with external partners, the event helps accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to impactful solutions in health, sustainability and technology.

Date: January 2026 (exact date TBD)

Hosted by: School of Biological Sciences, in partnership with Office of Innovation and Commercialization

Theme: Pathways to therapeutics in neurobiology and neuroscience

Time: Roughly 5:00-7:30 p.m. (exact time TBD)

Location: UC San Diego campus (exact location TBD)

Agenda and Speakers: Will be announced in December 2025

Attendance: Open to undergraduate and graduate students, postdocs, faculty, staff, alumni, life sciences industry professionals, and investors