http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/alumni-testimonials daily 0.75 2018-07-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1521068711001-39DL7HVAPE96UI3W06D3/WendyProfile.png Alumni Testimonials - Wendy YingXin Zhang, PhD "4RS provided me great opportunities to learn about consulting, grow personal skills and meet talented people. I initially interacted with the organization through participation of PHICC, a reputable case competition designed specifically for PhD students with little business background. Later after I joined, I was deeply impressed by how much effort 4RS spent in training rookie consultants through instructive boot camps. Once I started working on a project, I grew very fond of the collaborative work ethic and supportive team members. Moreover, I also got the chance to contribute by helping with professional development events, where members learn about career outlook and network with experts. What I love about 4RS is that it is the whole package. It welcomes variety, trains members with valuable skills, and encourages innovation." Working as an Associate Consultant at McKinsey & Co. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1521068711001-39DL7HVAPE96UI3W06D3/WendyProfile.png Alumni Testimonials - Wendy YingXin Zhang, PhD "4RS provided me great opportunities to learn about consulting, grow personal skills and meet talented people. I initially interacted with the organization through participation of PHICC, a reputable case competition designed specifically for PhD students with little business background. Later after I joined, I was deeply impressed by how much effort 4RS spent in training rookie consultants through instructive boot camps. Once I started working on a project, I grew very fond of the collaborative work ethic and supportive team members. Moreover, I also got the chance to contribute by helping with professional development events, where members learn about career outlook and network with experts. What I love about 4RS is that it is the whole package. It welcomes variety, trains members with valuable skills, and encourages innovation." Working as an Associate Consultant at McKinsey & Co. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1517500870957-189WXP7MIDRVYJMCI90X/minteer+headshot.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Danielle Minteer, PhD "4RS was instrumental in my career growth and development. At 4RS, over two years, I served as Student Consultant and Project Manager, then as Engagement Manager and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Student consultancy immediately opened me to the world of client-facing roles and taught me the different level of expectation and standards in this realm compared to my work at the lab bench. This role primed me for my client-facing role immediately out of graduate school at a large biotechnology executive search firm in New York City. As Project Manager, I was able to apply and refine my leadership and teamwork skill sets, learning key skills and insight that I still use today as a Scientific Project Manager. Experience as an Engagement Manager provided me with a higher-level perspective and required me to think bigger and consider new elements of projects I didn't get as a PM or Consultant. This gave me key skills for any leadership role. CHRO was one of the most fun roles I've ever had. I enjoyed meeting dozens of new 4RS candidates, getting to know them individually, learning their strengths and interests, and working with them one-on-one throughout their 4RS experiences. As CHRO, I worked with the 4RS leadership board to develop specific protocols to enhance and strategically develop the longevity of the organization." Currently working as a Project Manager for the Dept. of Plastic Surgery and Wound Research Alliance at the University of Pittsburgh and as a Translation Architect at SciVelo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1508427914664-YZDOUPLF8IZRJLDJFUZQ/SidePhoto.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Joe Shawky, PhD "My experiences as a Consultant and Project Manager with 4RS were instrumental for my professional development. I gainedcommunication, project management, and leadership skills through consulting engagements that have helped me secure my current position. Not only does 4RS provide a unique opportunity to develop a translatable set of skills but also to be part of a great community of people within and outside the university."   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1507835645294-5D290BK95JCZW4YWVIL6/linkedin_headshot.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Matt Sundermann, PhD "My experiences at 4RS prepared me for an industry research career outside of academia. The projects I worked on as a student consultant provided me with invaluable knowledge covering the medical device field. Learning about the commercialization process and the relationships between academic labs, investors, and biotechnology companies proved to be a great tool in both the job hunt and industry based research." Currently working as a Clinical Research Scientist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1504625028018-MQRZI486ZDKZ0H2UYNLV/IMG_4640.JPG Alumni Testimonials - Celestino Velásquez, PhD "Working as a consultant at 4RS helped me to improve my professional communication skills and broaden the utility of the research skills that I have acquired through my PhD training. The experiences that I had with my amazing team members prepared me tremendously well for several job interviews in industry and undergraduate teaching. Right after receiving my PhD, I was able to obtain a position as a tenure-track teaching assistant professor in Oklahoma. I am very glad that I became involved in 4RS, and I highly encourage anyone seeking alternative careers to get involved as well." Currently working as an Assistant Professor https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1500996698264-WQ1FP7AU1RBMEAX5XUJA/best.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Joyeeta Dutta-Moscato, PhD "4RS provided me with a community of self-motivated and dynamic individuals, dedicated to connecting our analytical and research skills to business development and product-focused thinking. Through 4RS consulting engagements, I was able to expand my experience from academia-oriented innovation to rapid cycles of knowledge discovery and collaboration that is highly valued in the healthcare and technology industry. I also learned volumes on networking, leadership, project management, and entrepreneurship. Being part of 4RS during my graduate school years gave me the exposure and confidence to design the career path that was best for me, and to secure the next steps in that career." Currently working as Senior Health Economics Analyst at UPMC Health Plan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1490224784372-O4DXGAXUAF4JLB1E7ODL/IMG_3908+%281%29.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Karen Carney, PhD "My experiences in Fourth River Solutions as a consultant, project manager, and Executive Board member significantly contributed to my successful transition to industry. In my job interviews I was able to give concrete examples of how working on consulting engagements trained me to quickly master topics outside my own research specialty. The knowledge I gained about business operations and market landscapes allowed me to ask insightful questions about the company to distinguish myself from other candidates. The leadership opportunities at 4RS gave me great stories about working with teams against deadlines and how I have dealt with unplanned set-backs. Most importantly, I met so many wonderful people!" Currently working as a Clinical Content Analyst at Via Oncology https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489435787387-FE48958LQBA07K80LC3O/IMG_3923.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Marissa Kuzirian, PhD "My experience with 4RS inspired me to pursue my current career. Not only did I gain invaluable experience working with local entrepreneurs assisting them on their path to commercialization, I was given leadership experience and expanded my network in the Pittsburgh region. Every day, I use many of the technical, commercialization skills that I learned at 4RS. However, even if I were not where I am now, the leadership, problem solving, and business development skills that I acquired during my time at 4RS would be relevant to any career." Currently working as an Investment Manager at Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489435684981-J7EAWOKTMG5NYF9737Q8/Subhara+-+4+%281%29+-+Version+2.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Subhara Ravi, PhD "Working with 4RS as a consultant for 2 years and Chief Marketing Officer for 1 year helped add the hands-on consulting and marketing experience hiring manager was looking for to help me land my current position. I was also able to recommend members from 4RS for internship positions at the current company as I knew I would get members who have had the training and have worked on healthcare related projects through 4RS related projects." Currently working as a Consultant at Newristics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1477585595299-TRI2L1QRVLFQ38JLGS2M/P6.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Rebecca Watters, PhD "4RS was a fantastic opportunity for me during my fellowship to gain some experiential learning in both business and consulting. Working on cases for local start-ups gave me the ability to exercise both my leadership and critical thinking skills outside of academia. These interactions gave me the necessary confidence to network with other individuals from different industries and at all professional levels. Most importantly, this whole experience has given me the necessary knowledge and connections to both promote and commercialize my own research in the future. I would highly recommend this experience to all interested graduate students and postdoctoral fellows." Currently working as a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1477585625773-1GSFI6T1AZY98V57TRJC/Ostrowski_Headshot.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Nicole Ostrowski, PhD "Working with Fourth River Solutions exposed me to the exciting atmosphere of start-up business case development. I very much enjoyed the project work and enthusiastic environment that 4RS fosters for its members. I'm excited to be working in consulting now, with an internal consulting team at an engineering company. However, even if I hadn't found a job in consulting, the skills developed while volunteering with 4RS can be beneficial across a wide variety of jobs in industry and academia alike." Currently working as an Analyst with the Management Consulting & Strategy Group at Arconic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1477585606443-TLYCS7ECN6DABTKM378W/Amy_Chaya_201507.JPG Alumni Testimonials - Amy Chaya, PhD "Through 4RS, I gained hands-on experience working with translational researchers and experienced entrepreneurs to assess the market and commercial potential of numerous technologies. These experiences provided me with an improved understanding of the commercialization process from the perspectives of various stakeholders, including the researcher/inventor, investor, and business development team. I'm extremely grateful for the opportunities provided by 4RS to broaden my grad school experiences beyond the lab bench. These experiences introduced me to the world of biotech business development and entrepreneurship, both of which I continue to pursue today." Currently working as a Systems Engineer at Bayer HealthCare and the President & CEO of healthStratica https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1477585652196-363HNT25P84LH3T65E90/dtchou.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Da-Tren Chou, PhD "4RS was instrumental in my development by providing opportunities to learn consulting skills in a team setting, problem-solve and bring impact for an emerging technology, and engage in a network of peers interested in consulting that was critical in preparing for interviews. The experiences and training gained through 4RS are truly unique from other programs, with plenty of ways to take leadership and entrepreneurial roles. In addition to the personal development, 4RS is a dynamic and fun organization to be a part of, and I was able to forge lasting bonds with others in the group. I highly recommend graduate students and post-docs to get involved at 4RS - even if you don't end up becoming a consultant, you will build skills that can be applied to any number of careers." Currently works at McKinsey & Company https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1477585666938-RVHMBD8FNOUC0F40G5M2/yujuan.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Yujuan Zhao, PhD "It was a great experience! You have taught me more than I could ever ask for. I have been fortunate enough to work with fabulous project manager/ team members and on an eye-opening project."   Current role: Senior RF Design Engineer at Starkey Laboratories, a medical devices company in Minnesota. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1477585692657-8CBRE07QEI5OL5BQTXF7/RAllen.professional-cropped.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Robert A. Allen, PhD "4RS gave me the business vocabulary I needed to communicate effectively with industry and government professionals. Learning this language took my professional networking to the next level and helped me land my current position as a policy fellow." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489419304267-8EFE23VDHB895NTIVLFE/IMG_3923.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Marissa Kuzirian, PhD "My experience with 4RS inspired me to pursue my current career. Not only did I gain invaluable experience working with local entrepreneurs assisting them on their path to commercialization, I was given leadership experience and expanded my network in the Pittsburgh region. Every day, I use many of the technical, commercialization skills that I learned at 4RS. However, even if I were not where I am now, the leadership, problem solving, and business development skills that I acquired during my time at 4RS would be relevant to any career." Currently working as an Executive Assistant at Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1460490766319-9PNF3J1FEK6HZ4BMXCXH/10613002_326796544189922_6425447235301110824_n.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Chris Hobson, PhD "Working with 4RS was an amazing experience for me - I was able to explore consulting in an exciting and supportive environment. We tackled a ton of interesting and difficult problems, which created real value for our partnering organizations. Most importantly, after working with 4RS I knew what I was looking for in a career and was able to leverage my experience to successfully pursue a career in consulting." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1476398790968-6H5C2MDRFNWJUT1LZ9AV/Ostrowski_Headshot.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Nicole Ostrowski, PhD "Working with Fourth River Solutions exposed me to the exciting atmosphere of start-up business case development. I very much enjoyed the project work and enthusiastic environment that 4RS fosters for its members. I'm excited to be working in consulting now, with an internal consulting team at an engineering company. However, even if I hadn't found a job in consulting, the skills developed while volunteering with 4RS can be beneficial across a wide variety of jobs in industry and academia alike." Currently working as an Analyst with the Management Consulting & Strategy Group at Alcoa https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/55773508e4b09cccb26c9dff/5aa9a9f771c10b1937690861/1531781133008/ Alumni Testimonials https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1476398573322-6EEYL63BI1TJ71FPPQIF/P6.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Rebecca Watters, PhD "4RS was a fantastic opportunity for me during my fellowship to gain some experiential learning in both business and consulting. Working on cases for local start-ups gave me the ability to exercise both my leadership and critical thinking skills outside of academia. These interactions gave me the necessary confidence to network with other individuals from different industries and at all professional levels. Most importantly, this whole experience has given me the necessary knowledge and connections to both promote and commercialize my own research in the future. I would highly recommend this experience to all interested graduate students and postdoctoral fellows." Currently a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1474305395789-4UL04QBQ46LXWBYUJQ8O/dtchou.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Da-Tren Chou, PhD "4RS was instrumental in my development by providing opportunities to learn consulting skills in a team setting, problem-solve and bring impact for an emerging technology, and engage in a network of peers interested in consulting that was critical in preparing for interviews. The experiences and training gained through 4RS are truly unique from other programs, with plenty of ways to take leadership and entrepreneurial roles. In addition to the personal development, 4RS is a dynamic and fun organization to be a part of, and I was able to forge lasting bonds with others in the group. I highly recommend graduate students and post-docs to get involved at 4RS - even if you don't end up becoming a consultant, you will build skills that can be applied to any number of careers." Currently works at McKinsey & Company https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1433945664224-C2Z54J29UY48VI7NB8HK/yujuan.jpg Alumni Testimonials - Yujuan Zhao, PhD "It was a great experience! You have taught me more than I could ever ask for. I have been fortunate enough to work with fabulous project manager/ team members and on an eye-opening project."   Current role: Senior RF Design Engineer at Starkey Laboratories, a medical devices company in Minnesota. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1433875759559-68F2QI1IO7FNJX2NR4CS/image-asset.png Alumni Testimonials - Danielle Minteer, PhD Bioengineering “Working in a 4RS team has been incredibly rewarding. Though there are tons of opportunities at Pitt to learn about research commercialization, there has been a lack of opportunities for students to get their hands dirty in the day-to-day operations of businesses.” Current role: Senior Research Associate at the Biotechnology Practice within Korn Ferry International, an executive search firm in New York City http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/board-members-2 daily 0.75 2025-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1709845338684-BW9SB81X6GDSQ6XZJPEG/image.jpg Board Members - Alex Kunisky - Chief Executive Officer Alex is a PhD student in the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. His research interests center on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain aging and neurodegeneration. Specifically, he is conducting transcriptomic studies to analyze gene expression changes in Alzheimer’s disease. During his downtime, Alex enjoys producing music, biking, and trying new restaurants. alex.kunisky@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1709845338684-BW9SB81X6GDSQ6XZJPEG/image.jpg Board Members - Alex Kunisky - Chief Executive Officer Alex is a PhD student in the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. His research interests center on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain aging and neurodegeneration. Specifically, he is conducting transcriptomic studies to analyze gene expression changes in Alzheimer’s disease. During his downtime, Alex enjoys producing music, biking, and trying new restaurants. alex.kunisky@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1610819941066-596CHROI7O7824QGEJ60/Headshot+-+Chuckran.jpg Board Members - Nicole Martucci – Chief Executive Officer Nicole is a 5th year PhD student in the Cellular and Molecular Pathology PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Her research focuses on the PI3K pathway and it’s role in the regenerating liver. In her downtime, Nicole enjoys puzzling, knitting, discovering new restaurants around the city, and having game nights with her friends. nicole.martucci@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1708561533128-0MG3ZRJ8FM6UTQJ8FYSR/image.jpg Board Members - Shanae Butler – Chief Operating Officer Shanae is a PhD student in the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine program at the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Bioengineering. Her research focuses on the use of biomaterials to mitigate dysregulated healing processes in skin and muscle wound healing. In her free time, Shanae enjoys baking, drawing, dancing and taking care of her plants. shanae.butler@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1708562354087-NFV86OL0FW8F2ADJCV5P/aea.jpg Board Members - Ahmed Emam Abdelnaby - Chief Marketing Officer Emam is a Ph.D. candidate in the Molecular Pharmacology program at Pitt, specializing in unraveling the complexities of calcium signaling pathways. Outside the laboratory, Ahmed is Venturesome, epicure, experimenting with culinary creations, and a coffee snob. Who is Fervent of all things musical. ahmed.abdelnaby@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1731881456888-0ZYTQOIZYY1VY8MFPWLZ/Azia.jpg Board Members - Kassandra Baron - Chief Professional Development Officer Kassandra is a PhD trainee in Infectious Diseases and Microbiology at University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute. Her aim is to employ a multidisciplinary training approach, collaborating with diverse mentors to explore novel immune cell repair mechanisms and develop broadly applicable cellular therapeutics for tissue regeneration after injury. Her interest in regenerative and reparative medicine stems from her focus on immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). Outside of her research, she enjoys staying active with sports, cooking, and spending time with friends/family. kassandra.baron@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1738881244280-XFTYKS3BHJH9TK6YM5UN/FB_IMG_1540054998510.jpg Board Members - Alison Guyer - Chief Human Resources Officer Alison is a PhD student in the Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology Program at Pitt. Her research focuses on understanding early developmental signaling pathways by using zebrafish embryos. Outside of lab, Alison spends most of her time taking care of her geriatric, sock-eating dog, cooking, and knitting. alison.guyer@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1731882996074-QQGP5JM9BEMM2W2VLDK2/ak.jpg Board Members - Abdalla Wedn - Chief Information Officer Abdalla is a PhD candidate in the Molecular Pharmacology Graduate Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. His research, conducted in the Lee-Oesterrich Lab, focuses on uncovering the transcriptional and molecular alterations unique to lobular breast cancer. He holds a Master’s degree in Pharmacology and a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, complemented by professional experience in clinical pharmacy and academic teaching. In his free time, Abdalla enjoys weightlifting, hiking, and spending quality time with family and friends. abdalla.wedn@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1738384829412-0WZC2CHAAHNYZWPP8BP7/Karli_pic.jpeg Board Members - Avleen Kaur - Chief Financial Officer Avleen is a fifth year PhD candidate in the Department of Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University. Her research focuses on novel functions of circular RNA in the context of neurodegeneration and cell metabolism. In her free time, Avleen enjoys dancing, fostering cats and exploring new restaurants in the city. avleen.kaur@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1504108048035-8WDDB4PLT3Z6MAI7SY7R/Chris+1.jpg Board Members - Chris Chuckran – Chief Executive Officer Chris received his B.S. in Bioengineering from Rice University and is currently a 2nd year graduate student in the Immunology PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. His research focuses on overcoming barriers to effective cancer immunotherapy through destabilization of suppressive immune subsets. Chris first dove into consulting as a member of Hitachi Consulting Corporation following his undergraduate studies and is excited to utilize the experience he gained in that role while in Pittsburgh. Outside of the lab, you are most likely to find Chris enjoying the outdoors with camera in hand, training for his next track race, or relaxing at a local coffee shop with a good book or new music. chris.chuckran@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1610904936805-GY9IX2Q8EUR6M5AMY8OU/N.Martucci.jpg Board Members - Ashuvinee Elangovan – Chief Human Resources Officer Ashu is a 5th year PhD student in the Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Her research focuses on targeting the IGF1 pathway in Invasive Lobular Breast Carcinoma. Outside of lab she spends her free time reading, baking, and watching movies with friends. ashuvinee.elangovan@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1504624009926-LHHETPG5JPHVNLP35BWZ/Chelsea+3.jpg Board Members - Chelsea Merkel – Chief Executive Officer Chelsea is a 5th year PhD candidate in Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Her research investigates cell-cell contacts and mechanical continuity in heart muscle. When she is not at the bench or developing plans for 4RS, Chelsea can be found running the streets of Pittsburgh, scheming for ways to go to the International Space Station, or curled up with a good book and her grouchy rabbit. chelsea.merkel@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1504106876433-WSMFGHQF8AZP7BG2VYR0/Chelsea+3.jpg Board Members - Chelsea Merkel – Chief Executive Officer Chelsea is a 5th year PhD candidate in Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Her research investigates cell-cell contacts and mechanical continuity in heart muscle. When she is not at the bench or developing plans for 4RS, Chelsea can be found running the streets of Pittsburgh, scheming for ways to go to the International Space Station, or curled up with a good book and her grouchy rabbit. chelsea.merkel@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1504106598332-FWDHAJW4XQ7U7WU7233Y/Chelsea+3.jpg Board Members - Chelsea Merkel – Chief Executive Officer Chelsea is a 4th year PhD candidate in Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Her research investigates cell-cell contacts and mechanical continuity in heart muscle. When she is not at the bench or developing plans for 4RS, Chelsea can be found running the streets of Pittsburgh, scheming for ways to go to the International Space Station, or curled up with a good book and her grouchy rabbit. chelsea.merkel@fourthriver.org https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/55667c57e4b027e20d756fd7/56033122e4b0becc0036a86a/1731880976650/ Board Members https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1504106763578-GD12F2WPPX0KHRODM3PR/Chelsea+3.jpg Board Members - Chelsea Merkel – Chief Executive Officer Chelsea is a 4th year PhD candidate in Cell Biology and Molecular Physiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Her research investigates cell-cell contacts and mechanical continuity in heart muscle. When she is not at the bench or developing plans for 4RS, Chelsea can be found running the streets of Pittsburgh, scheming for ways to go to the International Space Station, or curled up with a good book and her grouchy rabbit. chelsea.merkel@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1432779876368-ZLD5AOV5IQB7D9GQAL9C/Saik+Kia+Goh.jpg Board Members - Saik Kia Goh - Chief Executive Officer Originally from Malaysia, Kia is currently a 5th year PhD candidate of Bioengineering and dually enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Medical Product Innovation at University of Pittsburgh. Prior to joining graduate school, he worked in the biotechnology industry for 3 years focused on stem cell and antibody product development. His PhD work investigates regenerative medicine strategy for the treatment of diabetes. In his free time, he enjoys playing dynamic, fast-paced badminton that requires a lot more agility and strategizing than most people probably think. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/55667c57e4b027e20d756fd7/5576de31e4b092272d728fb0/1731880976655/ Board Members http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/client-testimonials daily 0.75 2025-08-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1521068850462-7FJJPWWIHJSOENMQ9BZN/ImaCor+Logo.png Client Testimonials "The 4RS team uniquely provides high-level, analytical research within an accelerated timeline. They're collaborative professionals who challenge assumptions and seek to uncover insights rarely explored in routine market reports. The output of their work is clear, precise, and engaging - an exceptional value at a reasonable cost." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1521068850462-7FJJPWWIHJSOENMQ9BZN/ImaCor+Logo.png Client Testimonials "The 4RS team uniquely provides high-level, analytical research within an accelerated timeline. They're collaborative professionals who challenge assumptions and seek to uncover insights rarely explored in routine market reports. The output of their work is clear, precise, and engaging - an exceptional value at a reasonable cost." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489429424648-8G1ANNFCZQ5ZYNZB9N89/oonalogo.png Client Testimonials "Working with Fourth River was a challenging experience, but in the best of ways. Their thorough work made me question my assumptions and take a hard look at how I intend to scale my company. As a startup, there are so many unknowns. Having an additional set of eyes, who understands your mission and vision, and who’s dedicated to helping you find the best solutions to your toughest problems, was invaluable. I’m so grateful to the team! If you’re thinking of working with Fourth River, but are on the fence, I hope this is the little shove you need - it might the best decision for your business." -Danita Walton, Founder of Oona https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1638145784300-60J7TFRUAY2G1J0IORDO/uofpittsburghlogoweb.png Client Testimonials “As we retooled our pitch deck, 4RS conducted a thorough and comprehensive analysis of MindTrace’s competition. This allowed our team to get a deeper understanding of our competitor’s fundraising milestones, pricing structure, and insurance reimbursement strategy. Most importantly, the 4RS team was very professional, engaged and responsive during the 6-week project. We were impressed by the caliber of the students and their willingness to learn about where our company has been, where we are now, and where we are hoping to go. -Maxwell Sims, Founder of MindTrace https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1551883940012-OUJLVOL5UICOKW2XZN9S/humotech.png Client Testimonials "4RS helped us tackle a difficult market research project, and we were quite impressed with the results. The primary research they conducted was particularly valuable. My only regret is that we didn’t have more time to work together! Looking forward to our next engagement." -Josh Caputo, President & CEO of HuMoTech https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1433870725214-QMNN7L8WE624IU52EPBK/coulter.png Client Testimonials "Thoughtful and diligent inquiry into the issues surrounding commercialization. Professional approach, appearance and presentation of results." - Max Fedor, Coulter Program Director https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1433871378014-K79NV5CY59AHTPR7RSH5/image-asset.png Client Testimonials “The market entry analysis was in-depth and very helpful, and I liked the fact that was based on gathered information and contacting potential stakeholders.” - Constantinos Panousis, Pitt Innovator http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/member-page-summary-section daily 0.75 2017-03-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489425721029-WBQSB2HLGKL5UZW2QJFZ/Screen+Shot+2017-03-13+at+12.59.49+PM.png Member Page Summary Section - Alumni Success Stories Don't just take our word for it. Hear what some of our alumni have to say about their experiences with 4RS, and how it helped them to land their current positions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489425721029-WBQSB2HLGKL5UZW2QJFZ/Screen+Shot+2017-03-13+at+12.59.49+PM.png Member Page Summary Section - Alumni Success Stories Don't just take our word for it. Hear what some of our alumni have to say about their experiences with 4RS, and how it helped them to land their current positions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489426296457-1H8HH20Q4UU5HZ47FZLZ/Join+Us+Pic.png Member Page Summary Section - Become a Member Are you interested in joining 4RS? Click the photo to find out more about our hiring cycles and qualifications. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489426547626-ZH952Y0LB60L03IUQWN3/Newsletter+Square+Block.png Member Page Summary Section - Read our Newsletter Check out our newsletter to get the most recent updates about what 4RS has been doing as an organization. http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/client-page-summary-section daily 0.75 2017-03-13 http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/phicc daily 0.75 2019-04-11 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/t/5caf76348165f58e27922791/1494540032708/ PHICC https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/5914de439f7456d2c423eedc/5914df00bf629af9951bc407/1494540032708/ PHICC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495467789899-I9NQKAVXBZ9RRE2FUXLC/PHICC-17-5057.jpg PHICC Dr. Vorp shows everyone just how diverse of a group PHICC participants have become since the inception of the competition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495467724990-1R23N8JB6GVD9MZNZWUW/PHICC-17-5057.jpg PHICC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495140819802-8E82LQV09T1FMHSRRKTV/PHICC-17-5057.jpg PHICC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495467951244-84034NFXCEDAXD0R3CP2/PHICC-17-5078.jpg PHICC Finalist Team ETIM 2017 poses proudly in front of the PHICC banner. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495473424641-ADC5G5M0B4ZSY5OQCYJH/PHICC-17-5099.jpg PHICC Finalist Team Organic Mind prepares to give their final presentation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495468060596-1LWUBK6BCNHB5VV2TJ2X/PHICC-17-5091.jpg PHICC James Eles of Team Delivering New Answers explains how genome editing therapies are on the rise. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495474787921-FNIRZJS0GFJ6VAN0VP4O/PHICC-17-5115.jpg PHICC Finalist Team Systems Innovation presents new and attractive therapeutic areas to target with CRISPR. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495474554952-ZXL62C7A5MONWLGS72O1/PHICC-17-5097.jpg PHICC Hemalathaa Subramanian of Team ETIM 2017 discusses the highly competitive genome editing landscape. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495474474174-XOSHBUXZJGIEEAZR925H/PHICC-17-5104.jpg PHICC Siying Liu of Finalist Team Organic Mind proposes a collaboration with a biotechnology leader. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495474669155-HMO19KOKXDW4W0SN8OBO/PHICC-17-5107.jpg PHICC Our judges panel diligently watches and scores the final presentations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495475085935-6N4FGXBKAARMF7X6TVGF/PHICC-17-5117.jpg PHICC Li Ang Zhang of Team Systems Innovation answers some tough questions from our judges. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495475208632-FXCQJ51A2C9FVTIFAF31/PHICC-17-5134.jpg PHICC Dr. Safferstein addresses our participants at the culmination of the event before announcing the winners. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/5914de439f7456d2c423eedc/5923243de4fcb58e219a4e29/1495475261805/ PHICC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495475355518-H8L3HNRLM454S1X2DQDT/PHICC-17-5159.jpg PHICC Team Delivering New Answers relishes their first place win in this year's competition. Congratulations! http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/phicc-committee daily 0.75 2019-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1561994349020-8E98MNGVVXTIJ9XCWXIO/Headshot+-+Chuckran.jpg PICC Committee Gallery - Chris Chuckran | Organizational Co-Chair Chris received his B.S. in Bioengineering from Rice University and is currently a 3rd year graduate student in the Immunology PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. His research focuses on overcoming barriers to effective cancer immunotherapy through destabilization of suppressive immune subsets. Chris first dove into consulting as a member of Hitachi Consulting Corporation following his undergraduate studies and is excited to utilize the experience he gained in that role while in Pittsburgh. Outside of the lab, you are most likely to find Chris enjoying the outdoors with camera in hand, training for his next track race, or relaxing at a local coffee shop with a good book or new music. Chris currently serves as CEO of Fourth River Solutions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1561994655981-83IZKE1Z7JRNKPPF8OKH/Justin+B+headshot.PNG PICC Committee Gallery - Justin Bobo | Organizational Co-Chair Justin is a rising 4th year PhD Candidate in the Carnegie Institute of Technology at Carnegie Mellon University. He is a part of the Soft Machine Lab and LeDuc Lab in the Mechanical Engineering Department. His research focuses on noninvasive, wearable technology and electronics for biosensing to propel personalized health while utilizing statistical and machine learning to deliver actionable data. He also works on biomechanics to develop an approach to help aid in determining injury, response, and healing timelines of trauma in neurons through a tissue on a chip system. Justin co-founded the Carnegie Mellon Graduate Consulting Club (CMGCC) and currently serves as the President. Outside of the lab, he enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, tennis, and basketball. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495484974997-L2NDU1DSOBY5EXMLYWLA/PHICC-17-12.jpg PICC Committee Gallery - Lisa Carey Lohmueller | Organizing Co-Chair Lisa is a sixth year graduate student in Bioengineering at Pitt and is researching machine learning and clinical decision aid design in with Dr. James Antaki at Carnegie Mellon. She is thrilled to be returning to her fourth PHICC as chair. Lisa’s experience with cases began when she worked as a management consultant at a boutique firm in Boston and continued through serving as the VP of Business Development at Fourth River Solutions, a student-run consulting group she helped found in 2014. Lisa now spends most of her time working on completing her PhD and looks forward to pursuing a career in healthcare strategy after graduation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1561995010332-N7FY80I5PDU9ERA9STTF/Bassin+-+Headshot+.jpg PICC Committee Gallery - Ethan Bassin | Case Creation Committee Chair Ethan is a fifth year PhD candidate in the Immunology program at the University of Pittsburgh and the Vice President of Business Development at Fourth Rivers Solutions. He received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania with a major in Bioengineering and a minor in Engineering Entrepreneurship. In his free time Ethan enjoys trying new restaurants, ice skating, and listening to podcasts. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1561994062967-HBKMEDFWW1TA9GGKU8R8/Muying+Headsho.JPG PICC Committee Gallery Muying is a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering program at the University of Pittsburgh, Swanson School of Engineering. Her research focuses on understanding systems-level mechanisms of diseases and drugs using computational methodologies. Muying is also the Operations and Informatics Associate of Fourth River Solutions. In her free time Muying enjoys learning foreign languages and travelling. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495484295189-HJ79U66E43KSULAYWCNG/PHICC-17-12.jpg PICC Committee Gallery - Lisa Carey Lohmueller | Organizing Co-Chair Lisa is a sixth year graduate student in Bioengineering at Pitt and is researching machine learning and clinical decision aid design in with Dr. James Antaki at Carnegie Mellon. She is thrilled to be returning to her fourth PHICC as chair. Lisa’s experience with cases began when she worked as a management consultant at a boutique firm in Boston and continued through serving as the VP of Business Development at Fourth River Solutions, a student-run consulting group she helped found in 2014. Lisa now spends most of her time working on completing her PhD and looks forward to pursuing a career in healthcare strategy after graduation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1561994391696-028ZUSCUYKOHGQXZ2MBR/Song-My+Hoang.JPG PICC Committee Gallery Song-My is a fourth year PhD candidate in Molecular Pharmacology at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine. She also serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer of Fourth River Solutions. She is passionate about entrepreneurship and writing. Outside of the lab, you can find Song-My running on the streets of Pittsburgh with an eye for new restaurants and fun activities to do in the city. She is currently in the search for the best tacos in town. Song-My also enjoys camping, hosting board game nights, and obsessing over corgis. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1561995346932-Y47WH82COQDXONQZSECU/Amanda+Headshot2019.JPG PICC Committee Gallery - Amanda Henton | Social Media and Team Recruitment Amanda is a 3rd year PhD student in the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. Her research research focuses on cortical plasticity in inhibitory neurons after hearing loss and in disorders such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Amanda is also the new Chief Operating Officer of Fourth River Solutions. Outside of the lab, she enjoys distance running, playing the oboe, and spending time with her new kitten, Ruby. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1495484949304-3FIGJ2Q67DXN9EP82CL5/PHICC-17-12.jpg PICC Committee Gallery - Lisa Carey Lohmueller | Organizing Co-Chair Lisa is a sixth year graduate student in Bioengineering at Pitt and is researching machine learning and clinical decision aid design in with Dr. James Antaki at Carnegie Mellon. She is thrilled to be returning to her fourth PHICC as chair. Lisa’s experience with cases began when she worked as a management consultant at a boutique firm in Boston and continued through serving as the VP of Business Development at Fourth River Solutions, a student-run consulting group she helped found in 2014. Lisa now spends most of her time working on completing her PhD and looks forward to pursuing a career in healthcare strategy after graduation. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/5923384415d5db4c79bf418f/5d1a2454bb561400018901cc/1561995572839/ PICC Committee Gallery https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/5923384415d5db4c79bf418f/5d1a234d423b7e000142b518/1561995572608/ PICC Committee Gallery http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/business-development-associates daily 0.75 2025-02-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1579359682136-HBEZB1ITG7GGLWRSOSPM/image-asset.jpeg Business Development https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1738806051090-OLB4Y8TQ6KIYBQ6TGYWH/rs.jpg Business Development - Keerthana Manikandan - Executive Engagement Manager Keerthana is a PhD candidate in the bioengineering program at the university of Pittsburgh. Her research focuses on understanding the neurobiology of resting state networks responsible for sensation and movement. She joined 4RS in March 2023, and became the EEM in August 2024. Outside of research, she likes to curl up with a good book, paints, and always on a hunt for a good brunch spot. keerthana.manikandan@fourthriver.org https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/5ad65cd90e2e728bd11aa399/5ad65cfa88251b4844f95a0a/1738805632154/ Business Development https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1738805672395-IW7NNZY9SRXB7TIXHNAG/Larry.png Business Development - Ruitong (Larry) Jiang - Executive Engagement Manager ruitong.jiang@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1561988259773-71IKEURZDLRQGH5QGBSQ/Sarah+Najjer+headshot.jpg Business Development - Sarah Najjar - CMO/CPDO Liaison Sarah is a fifth-year PhD candidate in the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. She studies sensory signaling in gut, to inform better treatments for digestive dysfunction and abdominal pain. Outside of the lab, Sarah enjoys playing basketball, going to indie shows, and trying out new vegan recipes. sarah.najjar@fourthriver.org https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1523997947207-VD7C0DZFJ5PRVY7SZUSM/Robbie+1.jpg Business Development http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/applicationopen daily 0.75 2026-03-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/89112595-7d00-4314-b7e6-66a84d1bcac6/IMG_3123.jpg Join us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489514175121-97D2FV6LK4V64NJC9VIA/image-asset.png Join us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1526315609839-38BUZIQ8WMYKDS1TJ8JI/Roadmap+to+success.png Join us http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/team daily 0.75 2025-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1433854170565-DN5JKEMLZMQ53V71N2JE/photo-1422479516648-9b1f0b6e8da8.jpeg Team http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/portfolio daily 0.75 2025-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1433854503776-R079MX1G5BOY32KSV1CT/lIZrwvbeRuuzqOoWJUEn_Photoaday_CSD+%281+of+1%29-5.jpg Portfolio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489432228942-713GK8L2YT92GY0FKAW0/Map+of+Clients.png Portfolio http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/about-us daily 0.75 2025-02-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1433856729437-27L89LAV5BNBPF6ZNXR4/mac-glasses.JPG About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1501182266042-BRAGRAISWNN9O11GOECQ/image-asset.png About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489514175121-97D2FV6LK4V64NJC9VIA/image-asset.png About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1434083837496-N3AC5V1B25H73PUJTA9F/4RSservices About Us http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/home daily 1.0 2025-05-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/d1223836-9de8-41e6-9471-ee36633d21b2/image-asset.jpg Solving Today’s Problems, Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489167733405-AQJ27N7UDMUWA26F4XE9/image-asset.jpeg Solving Today’s Problems, Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/contact-us daily 0.75 2025-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1433853961394-AALWRW0CW09U7JAA8W7N/notebook.jpeg Contact us http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/alumni daily 0.75 2017-10-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489418678028-RAY5W3BEFRD3VCS5U7TW/Alumni+Page+Banner.png Alumni https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1521068711001-39DL7HVAPE96UI3W06D3/WendyProfile.png Alumni - Wendy YingXin Zhang, PhD "4RS provided me great opportunities to learn about consulting, grow personal skills and meet talented people. I initially interacted with the organization through participation of PHICC, a reputable case competition designed specifically for PhD students with little business background. Later after I joined, I was deeply impressed by how much effort 4RS spent in training rookie consultants through instructive boot camps. Once I started working on a project, I grew very fond of the collaborative work ethic and supportive team members. Moreover, I also got the chance to contribute by helping with professional development events, where members learn about career outlook and network with experts. What I love about 4RS is that it is the whole package. It welcomes variety, trains members with valuable skills, and encourages innovation." Working as an Associate Consultant at McKinsey & Co. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1517500870957-189WXP7MIDRVYJMCI90X/minteer+headshot.jpg Alumni - Danielle Minteer, PhD "4RS was instrumental in my career growth and development. At 4RS, over two years, I served as Student Consultant and Project Manager, then as Engagement Manager and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Student consultancy immediately opened me to the world of client-facing roles and taught me the different level of expectation and standards in this realm compared to my work at the lab bench. This role primed me for my client-facing role immediately out of graduate school at a large biotechnology executive search firm in New York City. As Project Manager, I was able to apply and refine my leadership and teamwork skill sets, learning key skills and insight that I still use today as a Scientific Project Manager. Experience as an Engagement Manager provided me with a higher-level perspective and required me to think bigger and consider new elements of projects I didn't get as a PM or Consultant. This gave me key skills for any leadership role. CHRO was one of the most fun roles I've ever had. I enjoyed meeting dozens of new 4RS candidates, getting to know them individually, learning their strengths and interests, and working with them one-on-one throughout their 4RS experiences. As CHRO, I worked with the 4RS leadership board to develop specific protocols to enhance and strategically develop the longevity of the organization." Currently working as a Project Manager for the Dept. of Plastic Surgery and Wound Research Alliance at the University of Pittsburgh and as a Translation Architect at SciVelo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1508427914664-YZDOUPLF8IZRJLDJFUZQ/SidePhoto.jpg Alumni - Joe Shawky, PhD "My experiences as a Consultant and Project Manager with 4RS were instrumental for my professional development. I gainedcommunication, project management, and leadership skills through consulting engagements that have helped me secure my current position. Not only does 4RS provide a unique opportunity to develop a translatable set of skills but also to be part of a great community of people within and outside the university."   https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1507835645294-5D290BK95JCZW4YWVIL6/linkedin_headshot.jpg Alumni - Matt Sundermann, PhD "My experiences at 4RS prepared me for an industry research career outside of academia. The projects I worked on as a student consultant provided me with invaluable knowledge covering the medical device field. Learning about the commercialization process and the relationships between academic labs, investors, and biotechnology companies proved to be a great tool in both the job hunt and industry based research." Currently working as a Clinical Research Scientist https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1504625028018-MQRZI486ZDKZ0H2UYNLV/IMG_4640.JPG Alumni - Celestino Velásquez, PhD "Working as a consultant at 4RS helped me to improve my professional communication skills and broaden the utility of the research skills that I have acquired through my PhD training. The experiences that I had with my amazing team members prepared me tremendously well for several job interviews in industry and undergraduate teaching. Right after receiving my PhD, I was able to obtain a position as a tenure-track teaching assistant professor in Oklahoma. I am very glad that I became involved in 4RS, and I highly encourage anyone seeking alternative careers to get involved as well." Currently working as an Assistant Professor https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1500996698264-WQ1FP7AU1RBMEAX5XUJA/best.jpg Alumni - Joyeeta Dutta-Moscato, PhD "4RS provided me with a community of self-motivated and dynamic individuals, dedicated to connecting our analytical and research skills to business development and product-focused thinking. Through 4RS consulting engagements, I was able to expand my experience from academia-oriented innovation to rapid cycles of knowledge discovery and collaboration that is highly valued in the healthcare and technology industry. I also learned volumes on networking, leadership, project management, and entrepreneurship. Being part of 4RS during my graduate school years gave me the exposure and confidence to design the career path that was best for me, and to secure the next steps in that career." Currently working as Senior Health Economics Analyst at UPMC Health Plan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1490224784372-O4DXGAXUAF4JLB1E7ODL/IMG_3908+%281%29.jpg Alumni - Karen Carney, PhD "My experiences in Fourth River Solutions as a consultant, project manager, and Executive Board member significantly contributed to my successful transition to industry. In my job interviews I was able to give concrete examples of how working on consulting engagements trained me to quickly master topics outside my own research specialty. The knowledge I gained about business operations and market landscapes allowed me to ask insightful questions about the company to distinguish myself from other candidates. The leadership opportunities at 4RS gave me great stories about working with teams against deadlines and how I have dealt with unplanned set-backs. Most importantly, I met so many wonderful people!" Currently working as a Clinical Content Analyst at Via Oncology https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489435787387-FE48958LQBA07K80LC3O/IMG_3923.jpg Alumni - Marissa Kuzirian, PhD "My experience with 4RS inspired me to pursue my current career. Not only did I gain invaluable experience working with local entrepreneurs assisting them on their path to commercialization, I was given leadership experience and expanded my network in the Pittsburgh region. Every day, I use many of the technical, commercialization skills that I learned at 4RS. However, even if I were not where I am now, the leadership, problem solving, and business development skills that I acquired during my time at 4RS would be relevant to any career." Currently working as an Investment Manager at Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1489435684981-J7EAWOKTMG5NYF9737Q8/Subhara+-+4+%281%29+-+Version+2.jpg Alumni - Subhara Ravi, PhD "Working with 4RS as a consultant for 2 years and Chief Marketing Officer for 1 year helped add the hands-on consulting and marketing experience hiring manager was looking for to help me land my current position. I was also able to recommend members from 4RS for internship positions at the current company as I knew I would get members who have had the training and have worked on healthcare related projects through 4RS related projects." Currently working as a Consultant at Newristics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1477585595299-TRI2L1QRVLFQ38JLGS2M/P6.jpg Alumni - Rebecca Watters, PhD "4RS was a fantastic opportunity for me during my fellowship to gain some experiential learning in both business and consulting. Working on cases for local start-ups gave me the ability to exercise both my leadership and critical thinking skills outside of academia. These interactions gave me the necessary confidence to network with other individuals from different industries and at all professional levels. Most importantly, this whole experience has given me the necessary knowledge and connections to both promote and commercialize my own research in the future. I would highly recommend this experience to all interested graduate students and postdoctoral fellows." Currently working as a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1477585625773-1GSFI6T1AZY98V57TRJC/Ostrowski_Headshot.jpg Alumni - Nicole Ostrowski, PhD "Working with Fourth River Solutions exposed me to the exciting atmosphere of start-up business case development. I very much enjoyed the project work and enthusiastic environment that 4RS fosters for its members. I'm excited to be working in consulting now, with an internal consulting team at an engineering company. However, even if I hadn't found a job in consulting, the skills developed while volunteering with 4RS can be beneficial across a wide variety of jobs in industry and academia alike." Currently working as an Analyst with the Management Consulting & Strategy Group at Arconic https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1477585606443-TLYCS7ECN6DABTKM378W/Amy_Chaya_201507.JPG Alumni - Amy Chaya, PhD "Through 4RS, I gained hands-on experience working with translational researchers and experienced entrepreneurs to assess the market and commercial potential of numerous technologies. These experiences provided me with an improved understanding of the commercialization process from the perspectives of various stakeholders, including the researcher/inventor, investor, and business development team. I'm extremely grateful for the opportunities provided by 4RS to broaden my grad school experiences beyond the lab bench. These experiences introduced me to the world of biotech business development and entrepreneurship, both of which I continue to pursue today." Currently working as a Systems Engineer at Bayer HealthCare and the President & CEO of healthStratica https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1477585652196-363HNT25P84LH3T65E90/dtchou.jpg Alumni - Da-Tren Chou, PhD "4RS was instrumental in my development by providing opportunities to learn consulting skills in a team setting, problem-solve and bring impact for an emerging technology, and engage in a network of peers interested in consulting that was critical in preparing for interviews. The experiences and training gained through 4RS are truly unique from other programs, with plenty of ways to take leadership and entrepreneurial roles. In addition to the personal development, 4RS is a dynamic and fun organization to be a part of, and I was able to forge lasting bonds with others in the group. I highly recommend graduate students and post-docs to get involved at 4RS - even if you don't end up becoming a consultant, you will build skills that can be applied to any number of careers." Currently works at McKinsey & Company https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1477585666938-RVHMBD8FNOUC0F40G5M2/yujuan.jpg Alumni - Yujuan Zhao, PhD "It was a great experience! You have taught me more than I could ever ask for. I have been fortunate enough to work with fabulous project manager/ team members and on an eye-opening project."   Current role: Senior RF Design Engineer at Starkey Laboratories, a medical devices company in Minnesota. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1477585692657-8CBRE07QEI5OL5BQTXF7/RAllen.professional-cropped.jpg Alumni - Robert A. Allen, PhD "4RS gave me the business vocabulary I needed to communicate effectively with industry and government professionals. Learning this language took my professional networking to the next level and helped me land my current position as a policy fellow." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1460490766319-9PNF3J1FEK6HZ4BMXCXH/10613002_326796544189922_6425447235301110824_n.jpg Alumni - Chris Hobson, PhD "Working with 4RS was an amazing experience for me - I was able to explore consulting in an exciting and supportive environment. We tackled a ton of interesting and difficult problems, which created real value for our partnering organizations. Most importantly, after working with 4RS I knew what I was looking for in a career and was able to leverage my experience to successfully pursue a career in consulting." https://static1.squarespace.com/static/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/55773508e4b09cccb26c9dff/5aa9a9f771c10b1937690861/1531781133008/ Alumni http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/phicc-committee-page daily 0.75 2019-07-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1561995977664-SXU0E92RMJ2V1T5EW650/LOGO+-+Official+-+Color+V1.png . http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/home-1 daily 0.75 2018-10-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1391287286405-92Z4A4R3T2ZSZAKNVS9V/image-asset.jpeg Home - Transient https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1535394848185-CGDDU4QCIRSO4U1270H3/image-asset.jpeg Home - About Find out about our organization, mission, our methods, and the results of our decades of advocacy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/52a74d9ae4b0253945d2aee9/1535394867157-MTQAOAQPKWQ68DDY1HTW/tumblr_mn8b8sLRb61rkz363o1_1280.jpg Home - Take Action Ready to take the next step? You can become a contributor to our cause, or participate yourself. http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/picc-2019-newsletter daily 0.75 2019-12-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1576950528325-9R6YF96M549KH4OM28XK/image-asset.jpeg Pittsburgh Innovation Case Competition 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1576950763989-QBPCES4P05RZFP2YWJM1/LOGO%2B-%2BOfficial%2B-%2BColor%2BV1.jpg Pittsburgh Innovation Case Competition 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1576950049915-27YFKU7396QEJ86779XS/PICC%252B2019%252BNewsletter%252Bfor%252BWebsite_Page_1.jpg Pittsburgh Innovation Case Competition 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1576950016863-QS9MCUH3CGP4N9CA7VKE/PICC%2B2019%2BNewsletter%2Bfor%2BWebsite_Page_2.jpg Pittsburgh Innovation Case Competition 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1576950085908-F711ZJ8G1OIL2MA5BBEL/PICC%2B2019%2BNewsletter%2Bfor%2BWebsite_Page_3.jpg Pittsburgh Innovation Case Competition 2019 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1576950146019-VDU2CEOYYFI9SMPCQ1K9/PICC%2B2019%2BNewsletter%2Bfor%2BWebsite_Page_4.jpg Pittsburgh Innovation Case Competition 2019 http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/past-events daily 0.75 2020-11-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1591283810637-U3SBS074F2CVT6Z77J53/image-asset.jpeg Past Events http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/bootcamp-2 daily 0.75 2024-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1707259048877-N6ZUN6L3UQAE957E3FCJ/Screenshot+2024-02-06+at+5.36.01%E2%80%AFPM.png Bootcamp 2.0 http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/applicationope daily 0.75 2026-03-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1739063264186-SDMQI28A74EJ974E1SBJ/unsplash-image-3Rn2EjoAC1g.jpg 4RS Consultant application / Spring 2026 http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/bootcamp-1-case-study daily 0.75 2025-02-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1740196587518-OUQ8R8Y1FCSR5E9ZUTOY/unsplash-image-dGxOgeXAXm8.jpg Bootcamp 1 Case Study http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/bootcamp-10-survey daily 0.75 2025-09-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1740265611237-HX1YXQ8N5WSUNDG23MT3/unsplash-image-vVSleEYPSGY.jpg . http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/bootcamp2-1-survey daily 0.75 2026-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1740265611237-HX1YXQ8N5WSUNDG23MT3/unsplash-image-vVSleEYPSGY.jpg . http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/bootcamp2-2-survey daily 0.75 2026-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1742188911082-C6BZM2SZZOPRW7WZYE6T/unsplash-image-pb5w9WU1goA.jpg How was your session? http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/bootcamp2-3-survey daily 0.75 2026-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1742852549453-G7YX90MSOKY23KQWT7VJ/image-asset.jpg Post-Session Survey http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/bootcamp-2-4-survey daily 0.75 2026-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1743445425685-OMWH3QZU8IOC8CQFHU9P/unsplash-image-8xAA0f9yQnE.jpg Post-Session Survey http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/bootcamp-2-5-survey daily 0.75 2026-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/8ef23397-e2d6-4f4a-a7dc-8a25a6221aeb/unsplash-image-jrh5lAq-mIs.jpg Post-Session Survey http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/bootcamp-2-6-survey daily 0.75 2026-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/aaf62bc9-b080-4ddf-90a8-a01fdf556507/unsplash-image-_UeY8aTI6d0.jpg Post-Session Survey http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/bootcamp-2-project-submission daily 0.75 2025-11-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/1745008147324-O9Z8DKWEE74TGNO3F9BX/unsplash-image-b21Ty33CqVs.jpg Bootcamp 2 Project submission http://www.fourthriversolutions.org/client-form daily 0.75 2025-07-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55428761e4b0a5586db585b0/9234e4c0-a6e6-43b8-9734-5a91af670d41/unsplash-image-KdeqA3aTnBY.jpg Partner with 4RS