Dr Eva Neurotech Harbor
Dr. Evaristus Nwulia: Pioneering Inclusive
Innovation at NeuroTech Harbor
In a significant development for neurotechnology and inclusive innovation, Dr. Evaristus Nwulia, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Evon Medics, has taken on a pivotal leadership role at the prestigious NeuroTech Harbor (NTH) Technology Accelerator.
Appointed as the Outreach Director and Lead Principal Investigator at NeuroTech Harbor, Dr. Nwulia is now at the helm of the nation’s largest incubator hub for neurotechnologies. This landmark initiative, funded through a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Blueprint MedTech program, was selected as one of only two incubator hubs nationwide dedicated to accelerating the development of cutting-edge medical technologies for neurological diseases.
In this exclusive interview, Dr. Nwulia shares his personal journey, the challenges he’s overcome, and his vision for creating a more inclusive landscape in neurotechnology. The Equitech Philosophy
“NeuroTech Harbor is led by seasoned scientists, engineers, and clinicians from Johns Hopkins University and Howard University,” explains Dr. Nwulia. “The team came together with a common mission of Equitech. The Equitech philosophy is the belief that diversity of teams, leadership, and perspectives is a force multiplier to fuel innovation producing solutions accessible to all communities.”
In his leadership role, Dr. Nwulia is spearheading efforts to ensure that these advanced technologies are available and accessible to all communities, including those historically disadvantaged. His mission includes building pathways for aspiring women and underrepresented minority innovators on a national scale.
Transformative Impact Through Inclusive Funding
Over the next five years, Dr. Nwulia has been tasked with the remarkable responsibility of ensuring that more than 25% of the projected total funds—exceeding $100 million—are directed to minority researchers and research addressing areas of health disparity.
In addition, he oversees the seedlings grants program, which awards $50,000 per individual to up to 10 individuals yearly, providing crucial education on product development for emerging innovators.
Revolutionary “Gap Derisking” Program
One of Dr. Nwulia’s most significant contributions has been the introduction of a novel “Gap Derisking” program. This groundbreaking initiative has enabled neurotech inventors to address and overcome product weaknesses, allowing them to secure hundreds of millions in funding to advance their early products to first-in-human studies.
The program’s impact speaks for itself: Dr. Nwulia has funded over 37 companies in just the past two years, achieving an impressive success rate of nearly 70% in helping these companies move forward in their development journey.
A Distinguished Background in Neuroscience and Inclusive Innovation
Dr. Nwulia brings exceptional credentials to this role. As a Johns Hopkins-trained physician and neuroscientist, he has over 15 years of experience leading educational and training programs aimed at enhancing representation of underrepresented minority STEM and MD-Ph.D. students from HBCUs in the neuroscience workforce.
Currently serving as a Professor of Neuroscience at Howard University, Dr. Nwulia pioneered the development of home-based olfactory sensory stimulation platforms as disease-modifying interventions for early Alzheimer’s disease. He holds several patents for devices, drugs, and olfactory transcellular drug delivery methods for CNS disorders.
As co-founder of three neuromedical device companies, including Evon Medics LLC, Dr. Nwulia has built a track record of creating inclusive environments for innovation. At Evon Medics, over 65% of employees come from underrepresented minority populations, making the company a true harbor for nurturing career development of highly talented young minority innovators.
Ethical Leadership in Neuroscience
Dr. Nwulia’s expertise extends to neuroethics as well. As Chair of the Institutional Ethics Committee Board at Howard University, he brings substantial expertise in the ethical, legal, and societal implications of neuroscience and neurotech devices, particularly from the standpoint of several under-represented minority populations.
His extensive experience includes serving on numerous NIH neuroscience-based scientific peer review panels over the past decade and chairing the NIH Fogarty Global Brain Disorders Special Emphasis Panel, giving him a keen eye for recognizing projects with transformative potential.
Through his leadership at NeuroTech Harbor, Dr. Nwulia continues to demonstrate that diversity and inclusion in early-stage translation are the critical first steps toward creating lasting clinical and social impact in the field of neurotechnology.