Hometown: Chicago, Illinois

Studies: MS in Translational Biomedicine student

Maddie’s passion for innovation stems from her deep interest in understanding and improving mental health through biotechnology. During her graduate studies at Baylor College of Medicine, she discovered a novel neural biomarker that tracks depression severity in real time—work that led to a provisional patent and sparked her ambition to translate research into impactful medical technologies. Maddie is focused on developing continuous mood-tracking devices, such as app-based pupil tracking and smart contact lenses, to enhance treatment and prevention of mood disorders.

Her efforts extend beyond the lab as she actively engages with intellectual property experts and biotech innovators, building the entrepreneurial skills needed to move patents toward commercialization and startup creation. As an incoming postdoctoral fellow at the University of Iowa, Maddie aims to refine her biomarker technology while expanding her knowledge of licensing, biodesign, and venture funding.

A few of Maddie’s hobbies include baking, cooking, and staying active with Orange Theory classes and recreational basketball.