about us
Motivation
Motivation
Motivation
As advanced degree candidates, we possess knowledge and skills valuable to many sectors outside of academia and industry. While learning about and/or discovering biochemical and molecular mechanisms during research, we also become familiar with drug development processes, clinical trial and patient data, and drug regulatory pathways. Additionally, we learn how to parse vast amounts of scientific data with great attention to detail, work in and lead collaborative teams efficiently, and communicate scientific concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences with ease.
One little known sector where these capabilities are exceedingly valued is investment consulting. Several companies, ranging from Silicon Valley-based life science venture capital firms to Wall Street banks are hiring recent advanced degree graduates to perform equity research on biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to aid in investment decisions. However, most advanced degree and postdoctoral scholars lack the financial and investment expertise that would truly help them succeed in this career. One could apply for internships, but it is rare for any one internship to be able to offer a well-rounded experience in equity research in biotech and pharma, financial modeling, biotech stock market, and biopharma intellectual property laws
The Greater Nashville Area is home to a top-tier research environment that provides state-of-the-art facilities and abundant resources to ensure that graduate students become adept members of the scientific community. Yet, there is scarcely any support available for those of us interested in learning about investment research as a career post-graduate school. Considering this, we propose the establishment of a student-run investment fund that will allow advanced degree and postdoctoral students to learn about investing in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and apply that knowledge by making equity investments and managing portfolios.
Structure
Motivation
Motivation
Membership to the fund is open to advanced degree and postdoctoral scholars as well as undergraduates on a case-by-case basis. Partners will be selected through an application process. Elections will be held annually for management leadership positions. The leadership will comprise of a Managing Director and Broker, who will also serve as executors, a Treasurer, a VP of Research, and a VP of Recruitment. Non-leadership members will have Partner roles. Future roles at the fund will be added as and when required.
We will meet monthly to discuss biotech and pharmaceutical stock market news, screen investment leads, perform due diligence, review clinical trial data, make investment recommendations, and/or monitor portfolio companies. Additional events will include financial literacy modules and networking events, which will occur outside of the monthly meetings.
meet the team
KAVYA SHARMAN
PRAGUN TULADHAR
KAVYA SHARMAN
CO-FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR
Kavya Sharman is a 4th year PhD candidate at Vanderbilt University in the Chemical & Physical Biology Program. She received a BA in neuroscience from Vanderbilt University in 2016, where she co-founded the Scientific Immersion & Mentorship (SIM) Program. After graduating, she worked at Vanderbilt’s Department
CO-FOUNDER, MANAGING DIRECTOR
Kavya Sharman is a 4th year PhD candidate at Vanderbilt University in the Chemical & Physical Biology Program. She received a BA in neuroscience from Vanderbilt University in 2016, where she co-founded the Scientific Immersion & Mentorship (SIM) Program. After graduating, she worked at Vanderbilt’s Department of Biomedical Informatics (DBMI) as a business development coordinator, and then went on to work for MONQ, a startup in Nashville, as a product development scientist. She also worked as a freelance researcher for Seminal, where she created research briefs summarizing findings across broad topics such as artificial intelligence, labor markets, and the molecular basis of learning. She returned to Vanderbilt in 2018 and joined the lab of Dr. Richard Caprioli, where she is developing computational techniques for linking complementary imaging modalities such as imaging mass spectrometry and multiplexed immunofluorescence to understand Staphylococcus aureus infection in tissue. Through her varied experiences in industry, academia, healthcare, and informatics, she has focused on developing cross-disciplinary linkages with a focus on bridging the gap between scientific discovery and industry. In her free time, Kavya enjoys exploring the food scene in Nashville, traveling, and cooking. She is currently on a mission to find the best cappuccino in Nashville.
CODY MARSHALL
PRAGUN TULADHAR
KAVYA SHARMAN
CO-FOUNDER, BROKER
Cody Marshall is a 1st year biomedical science PhD candidate at Vanderbilt University. He received his BA in molecular cell biology with an emphasis in molecular neurobiology at University of California, Berkeley. He went on to gain his MS while helping discover a neural circuit associated with stress behavior under guid
CO-FOUNDER, BROKER
Cody Marshall is a 1st year biomedical science PhD candidate at Vanderbilt University. He received his BA in molecular cell biology with an emphasis in molecular neurobiology at University of California, Berkeley. He went on to gain his MS while helping discover a neural circuit associated with stress behavior under guidance from Dr. Danny Winder. To further develop his research experience, Cody worked at Stanford University where he learned computational and chemical methods of drug discovery with Dr. James Chen. Now as a PhD student, Cody is rotating through chemical and physical biology research labs at Vanderbilt that apply new technology to neuroscience drug discovery. Cody first developed a passion for investing and the business side of life science when he enrolled in “The Business of Biotechnology”, an interactive online course taught by Peter Kolchinsky, managing director at RA Capital. Cody also volunteers virtually as an analyst for Evexia, a similar student-led biotechnology fund consisting of biology graduate students located mainly throughout the Bay Area, CA. Outside of research, Cody enjoys exercising, reading, playing (but primarily still learning) the electric piano, and enjoying Nashville’s live music scene. His favorite summer vacations are traveling to new places with family and friends, and during the winter, you can usually count on him finding time to make ski trips.
PRAGUN TULADHAR
PRAGUN TULADHAR
PRAGUN TULADHAR
CO-FOUNDER, ADVISOR
Pragun Tuladhar is a 3rd year graduate student in the Department of Chemistry at Vanderbilt University. An international student from Nepal, he received his BS in Biochemistry from Ramapo College of New Jersey in 2018. At Vanderbilt, Pragun is a member of the Cliffel research lab, where he is developing techniques to in
CO-FOUNDER, ADVISOR
Pragun Tuladhar is a 3rd year graduate student in the Department of Chemistry at Vanderbilt University. An international student from Nepal, he received his BS in Biochemistry from Ramapo College of New Jersey in 2018. At Vanderbilt, Pragun is a member of the Cliffel research lab, where he is developing techniques to instrument microphysiological systems (organs- on-chips) with a multiplexed electrochemical detection platform to gain a broader understanding of cellular metabolic and ds physiological changes in response to toxins, infections, and therapeutics. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of his research, Pragun is familiar with concepts and techniques spanning several fields, including electrochemistry, cellular biology, immunology, neurology, toxicology, biomedical engineering, and material sciences. Outside the lab, Pragun enjoys learning about entrepreneurship and how scientific discoveries can be commercialized. At the BioTN Scipreneur Challenge Nashville held in spring 2021, his team pitched a commercialization plan for a novel nerve visualization technology and won 2nd place. He also volunteers as consultant in the Wond’ry Innovation Consulting Program at Vanderbilt. Pragun enjoys traveling, watching English football, cooking, and collecting trivia in his spare time.