Samantha Nava, PhD is an Innovation Strategist at TMC Innovation, where she supports innovation initiatives for member institutions in the Texas Medical Center. Dr. Nava assess hospital needs and recruits startup companies worldwide to participate in the TMCx accelerator program. During the program, Dr. Nava engages TMCx companies to refine business models, value proposition, competitive landscape, market entry and other strategic needs. She also assesses companies that are applying to the TMC Venture Fund to determine fit within the fund’s mission and goals. In addition, she also directs TMCx-alpha to support local innovation at its earliest stages; from physician and investigator-initiated ventures.