Erika Dillard, MD, PhD, is a postdoctoral fellow in the Patents-2-Products fellowship at the University of Memphis FedEx Institute of Technology where she is establishing a start-up based on the development and commercialization of intellectual property in the healthcare space. 

She received her MD and PhD from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center where she focused on the development and characterization of an oncolytic virus for the treatment of high-grade gliomas.  She then completed five years of neurosurgical training in Philadelphia where she witnessed how patient outcomes are greatly affected by factors outside of the actual performed procedure, particularly during the pre-operative and post-operative periods.  Her combined research and clinical background coupled with a genuine concern for patient safety has led to her current focus, applying novel technologies to promote patient outcomes through improved postoperative care and monitoring of potential complications. 

Outside of her clinical role and entrepreneurial endeavors, she is passionate about increasing the retention of under-represented medical trainees and is currently working with several partners to address these educational disparities. She also devotes time serving as a mentor for high school, undergraduate and professional students interested in surgical specialties.  In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with her family and biking through Shelby Farms.

As the 2020-2021 President, Dr. Dillard aims to increase the reach of the Memphis Chapter of BioTN Academic Alliance.  Efforts will emphasize creating more opportunities for membership and collaboration with the many academic institutions in the city to ensure we are addressing the evolving needs of our graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.