MAYO INNOVATION SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Mayo Innovation Scholars Program offers an opportunity for selected undergraduate students with academic background in any of the natural sciences, economics, management or media studies, mathematics, or with other relevant experience to evaluate projects submitted to the Mayo Clinic Ventures, the arm of Mayo responsible for evaluating potential business opportunities for discoveries and inventions created by Mayo Clinic physicians and researchers. This program is an initiative between a select group of Minnesota Private Colleges and the Mayo Clinic, with funding through the Medtronic Foundation.
Two teams of four students will represent St. Olaf College this year in the Mayo Innovation Scholars Program. The project team will be comprised of students representing a variety of science and economics backgrounds who demonstrate strong analytical and communication skills and success as an effective team member. The interim experience will be offered as an interdisciplinary course (ID 396) for 1.0 credit. The summer experience is a funded, non-credit internship. Kevin Crisp, Biology and Neuroscience, will serve as the faculty advisor. The interim team will also be mentored by an MBA graduate student (there is no MBA student participant in the summer program).
Teams will be expected to meet with the Licensing Manager at the Mayo Clinic Ventures in Rochester at the beginning of the project; 1-2 other visits to Rochester may be required. Additionally, teams will be required to attend an orientation (exact date and time TBD). Teams will share the results of their research at Mayo at a day-long event (exact date TBD). College transportation will be provided for required visits to Mayo.
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS:
TBA
COMPENSATION:
Interim participants will receive a $1000 stipend upon completion of the project.
Summer participants will receive a $2000 stipend.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- INTERIM: Junior or Senior
- SUMMER: Sophomore or Junior
- Major or concentration in any of the natural sciences, economics, management or media studies, mathematics, or with other relevant academic background/experience
- Strong academic record
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to extend one’s knowledge base to the topic at hand and to conceptualize and frame relevant questions
- Previous experience in research preferred but not required
- Evidence of effectiveness as part of a team
- Understanding and respect for confidentiality
- Willingness to commit time and energy to the project
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
- Resume
- Unofficial transcript
- Letter explaining interest in this initiative, describing background and specific experiences related to the project, and providing an example of a team on which the student has been an effective member
- Name of one faculty member to be used as a reference, indicated in the letter
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR SUMMER 2013:
- Materials submitted through Ole Career Central – by Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 11pm
Save your resume, unofficial transcript & cover letter to a common location. Login to Ole Career Central. Search for "Mayo Innovation Summer Program" under the job and internship postings tab. Be sure to select all three documents to be attached to your application. Hit submit! Assistance uploading documents available at the Piper Center, Tomson 270. - Interviews of selected students – Monday, March 18, 2013
A team of faculty and staff will conduct formal interviews after review of applications. Final selection will be based on academic background and related experience with care taken to create the appropriate mix of backgrounds on each team.
For more information, contact: Sandy Malecha (malechas), Associate Director, Internships in the Piper Center or Professor Kevin Crisp (crisp), Biology and Neuroscience.