This workshop is presented by the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI)’s Science Collaborative (CSC). If you are interested in attending, then you must sign up as a member of the CSC at the link.

Workshop Details: 

Think of the innovation ecosystem as a different field of study with its own nomenclature. This workshop is designed to translate complex business terms—like Pivot, MVP, and De-risking—into a framework that makes sense to the scientific mind. We will explore the commercialization journey through short, interactive sprints, helping you connect your research milestones to the metrics that stakeholders in the Innovation Ecosystem care about most.

About the speaker

Ana Fernandez, PhD,  is a Program Manager at CABHI in Montreal, QC, where she manages the programs that identify, fund, and accelerate the most promising startups in the aging and brain health space. Ana leads programs that provide critical funding and strategic guidance to innovators. Her work is centred on ensuring that groundbreaking research in aging and brain health successfully navigates the path from validation to sustainable business growth.

With over six years of experience in the Canadian innovation ecosystem, Ana’s expertise spans the full commercialization spectrum—from early-stage incubation to strategic investment. Before joining CABHI, she played a pivotal role at D3 Innovation Hub, where she helped scientists and students transform research into scalable startups. Having spent years in research herself, Ana brings a unique "insider" perspective to the challenges of translational science.