Get to Know Carilion Clinic Innovation
Carilion Clinic Innovation (CCI) supports Carilion Clinic employees as they ideate and solve some of healthcare’s most vexing problems. Aileen Helsel, Interim Director of CCI, will introduce CCI’s goals, structure, and function and describe how CCI envisions fitting into the region’s growing biotech ecosystem.
In her role as Interim Director at Carilion Clinic Innovation, Dr. Aileen Helsel leads the health system’s efforts to develop and commercialize Carilion inventions and grow the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Dr. Helsel has a strong background in biomedical research. After spending years at the bench, she switched gears and took a position successfully licensing and commercializing life science innovations for Washington State University (WSU). She made the decision to move across the country to join the Carilion Clinic Innovation team in 2021 as the Licensing Manager. At Carilion Clinic, Dr. Helsel uses her ability to find creative solutions to break through the barriers that stand between innovative ideas, implementation and bringing them to market. She recently became the Interim Director and looks forward to continuing to grow the department and support Carilion Clinic inventors.
Dr. Helsel received her Ph.D. in molecular bioscience from WSU, focusing on reproductive biology and stem cell biology, and her B.S. in molecular biology and biochemistry from the University of Idaho.
Supported by Virginia Bio Connect