Past event
Lunch & Learn: Entrepreneurship in STEM Final session of the Entrepreneurship in... series
Get ready for an insightful and practical look into what it really means to bring STEM-driven ideas into the world of innovation and enterprise. In this final session of our three-part Lunch & Learn series, Dr Andrew O'Malley will offer a behind-the-scenes perspective on how scientific thinking, research expertise and curiosity can naturally evolve into entrepreneurial impact.
Dr Andrew O'Malley is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Medicine, where his work spans anatomy, forensic anthropology, medical education and technology-enhanced learning. He leads the development of SimPatient, an AI-powered communication training platform using generative AI to simulate authentic patient interactions. This innovation is designed to transform medical training through scalable, adaptive and deeply realistic learning experiences, bridging traditional pedagogy with cutting-edge digital technologies.
As Deputy Programme Director for ScotGEM and Head of the Education Research Division, Andrew has built a career that exemplifies how STEM research can drive entrepreneurial thinking in healthcare and beyond. His experiences offer a unique window into how academics and scientists can navigate the journey from concept to real-world innovation.
In this session, Andrew will explore:
- what STEM entrepreneurship looks like and why it matters in today's innovation landscape
- the realities of building technology-enhanced solutions in healthcare
- how research, experimentation and user insights shape early-stage innovation
- the skills and mindsets that help STEM ideas progress from concept to implementation
- practical considerations for those curious about moving ideas beyond the lab or classroom
Andrew will also reflect on the development of SimPatient as a case study, illustrating how identifying unmet needs, leveraging technology and applying scientific problem solving can lead to impactful ventures.
This 45-minute session will conclude with an audience question and answer session (Q&A), so bring your questions. Whether you're exploring the early stages of an idea, thinking about how your research might translate into innovation, or simply curious about entrepreneurship within STEM, this event is for you.