Science Communication Externship
RHAEOS
Mentors
Anna Lisa Somera, MS, MBA, MPH, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, Rhaeos, Inc.
About Us
Rhaeos is a clinical-stage, venture-backed medical device company based in Chicago developing non-invasive, wearable sensors to measure fluid flow in the body. Its flagship technology, the Rhaeos Shunt Monitoring System (RSMS) enables clinicians to monitor cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt function in hydrocephalus patients—transforming care from reactive to proactive. Rhaeos operates at the intersection of biomedical engineering, clinical research, and digital health, working closely with leading hospitals, researchers, and industry partners.
Externship Description
This externship offers a unique opportunity to work directly with the executive leadership of a fast-moving medical device startup at a critical stage of clinical and commercial expansion. The extern will contribute to evaluating new platform applications and supporting non-dilutive funding efforts (e.g., NIH SBIR/STTR grants). This role is highly relevant for trainees interested in translational science, commercialization, venture-backed startups, and the intersection of science and business strategy.
The extern will serve as a key contributor to strategic initiatives focused on identifying and validating new clinical and commercial applications for Rhaeos’ core sensing platform.
Responsibilities include:
- Conducting secondary market research across multiple disease areas and clinical use cases
- Supporting SBIR/STTR grant development, including background research, drafting, and editing
- Synthesizing complex scientific and clinical data into clear, compelling narratives
- Assisting in competitive landscape analysis and identification of unmet clinical needs
Who should apply:
If you are interested in science communication, medical device innovation, and translating research into real-world impact, this externship will provide hands-on experience in these areas. You will gain direct exposure to how early-stage medical technologies are evaluated, funded, and brought to market.
Specific Objectives
Deliverables:
- Market landscape reports for 1–2 new platform applications
- Contribution to at least one SBIR/STTR grant section (e.g., significance, innovation, or background)
- Competitive and clinical unmet need analyses
Skills & Knowledge Gained:
- Market sizing and healthcare economics
- Competitive intelligence in medtech/biotech
- Grant writing strategy (SBIR/STTR)
- Scientific storytelling for funding and commercialization
- Translational pathway from research → clinical validation → market
- Direct experience working alongside a serial medtech entrepreneur and NIH grant PI with a track record of top-scoring applications, gaining insight into how successful grants and companies are built
Training Provided:
- One-on-one mentorship with executive leadership
- Exposure to real SBIR grant materials and reviewer expectations
- Structured feedback on writing and analysis
- Optional participation in strategy and clinical meetings
Time Commitment / Structure:
- Weekly 1:1 check-in with mentor
- Flexible remote work with optional in-person meetings (Chicago-based)
- Estimated commitment: ~10 hours/week (adjustable based on program requirements)
Qualifications
Required:
- Graduate student (Master’s, PhD, or MD) in STEM field (e.g., biomedical sciences, engineering, public health, or related)
- Strong scientific writing and analytical skills
- Ability to synthesize complex information clearly and concisely
Preferred:
-
- Interest in medtech or healthcare innovation
- Experience with literature review, market research, or grant writing
- Background in physiology, biomedical engineering, or clinical research
Additional Highlight:
Externs will have the opportunity to contribute to technologies that have already been used in over 400 patients and are on a regulatory pathway toward FDA clearance, providing real-world exposure to the translation of cutting-edge medical devices from clinical validation to commercialization.