Many researchers in academia find themselves asking: How can my work go beyond contributing to the body of knowledge? How can I make an impact now? This is especially true in ageing-related research, where the challenges are pressing and complex.
This is where our Innovation Fellowships in Healthy Ageing come in. Run jointly with Zinc, the fellowships offer a unique opportunity to step out of the traditional academic role and trial working in the fast-paced world of health-tech startups. As our most recent fellow, Mark Crook-Rumsey, explains:
“In academia you can produce great research papers, but for real-world impact there needs to be translation. I was doing lots of cool things, but I often found my work stopped once I’d written a paper or presented at a conference.”
We sat down with Mark to discuss his journey, the impact he’s made, and what makes the fellowship such a transformative experience.
Hands-on industry experience
One of the most rewarding aspects of the Innovation Fellowships in Healthy Ageing is the chance to see how your academic expertise can make an immediate impact. For Mark, this meant applying his deep knowledge of dementia and AI in entirely new contexts across three different health-tech startups. His first role in the fellowship was with Eargym, where he shared his expertise to help them in their mission to tackle hearing loss, a condition linked to cognitive decline.
“Eargym utilised the deep expertise I had in dementia, so I was able to guide their research strategy while supporting their AI development,” Mark shares.
His next role took him to Bellevie, a company focused on tech-enabled care for older adults. Here, Mark shifted his focus to software development. “This time, I was developing software that uses AI to help arrange where carers go at what time to be most efficient,” he explains.
Mark’s third role was with Prorizon, where he also leveraged his AI software engineering expertise. “I built AI software to automatically generate reports based on data from wearables and mental health questionnaires. This saved the Chief Scientific Officer a lot of time,” Mark adds.
Through these placements, Mark didn’t just discover how valuable his academic skills could be in the startup world—he also gained clarity on what he wanted to pursue in the future. The work Mark did at Bellevie resonated with him so much that he has continued working with them as an AI & Human-centered Data Scientist, and he continues to work with Eargym in a consulting capacity.
Why you should apply
The Innovation Fellowships in Healthy Ageing offer the perfect balance of academic rigor and entrepreneurial opportunity. For those wondering if the fellowship is right for them, Mark explains: “It’s about learning how to apply your scientific knowledge in a way that creates value for people. You can build products, services, or solutions that help others and even generate revenue for businesses. This fellowship offers a chance to explore those possibilities in a supportive, flexible environment.”
Many researchers, like Mark, find that the fellowship allows them to explore new avenues and expand their horizons. “In academia, you’re often shown just one path—PhD, postdoc, then a permanent position. This fellowship gives you the space to explore different options. You learn how to deliver science in a way that’s accessible and impactful, and opens your eyes to new ways of thinking and how to apply your research,” Mark says.
The fellowship isn’t just for those interested in leaving academia—it’s also an opportunity for those who want to see the different ways their expertise can make a difference. “Even if you’re unsure, the experience itself is valuable. You can apply your research to help companies while gaining exposure to new technologies and approaches that might be beneficial to your academic work,” Mark advises.
Ultimately, the fellowship is for the curious, adaptable, and those open to changing the way they think. “You have to be okay with ambiguity and fast-paced change. If you’re curious and willing to adapt, this is for you,” Mark says.
What you can expect
Managed by both the Dunhill Medical Trust and Zinc, fellows can expect to receive support, training and mentorship to help them learn how to apply academic skills in the startup world.
“DMT was incredibly supportive from the start. They’re genuinely interested in helping academics apply their research in a business context,” Mark explains. “When I spoke with them, I knew right away that they understood my academic background and could help me transition into the startup world. Their support was crucial.”
Zinc’s role as an investor in science-for-impact ventures was equally impactful. “Zinc really values science and research, and they believe evidence-backed innovation leads to success,” Mark shares. “But they also help you understand how business works. They pushed me to move faster and adapt, which was a big change from the slower pace of academia.”
The programme is structured yet flexible, allowing fellows to remain involved in their academic roles while engaging with startups part-time over the course of a year.
Ready to apply? If you’re ready to make a real-world impact, find more information about the Innovation Fellowships in Healthy Ageing here.