The VIC Fellows Program provides an opportunity for individuals with relevant expertise and interest to learn how to identify and evaluate promising innovations from global sources. We are pleased to highlight the members of the 2023-2024 class of Fellows in our ongoing series of interviews, such as this recent discussion with Karim ReFaey, MD.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in neurosurgery and neural engineering?
I've always been drawn to problem-solving, especially when it comes to the brain. My background is in neurosurgery and neural engineering, which gives me a mix of clinical and technical perspectives on how we approach neurological conditions. Early on, I was fascinated by how technology could be used to improve patient outcomes, which led me to work on an intra-operative device for brain mapping. That experience really shaped my mindset—seeing firsthand how innovation can bridge gaps in patient care made me want to keep exploring the intersection of medicine and technology.
You’ve trained at some of the most prestigious institutions, including Johns Hopkins and Mayo Clinic. How did these experiences shape your approach to medicine and innovation?Training at places like Hopkins and Mayo exposed me to some of the best minds in the field, but more importantly, it showed me how to think critically and approach problems from different angles. These institutions don’t just train you in the technical aspects of medicine—they push you to ask, How can we do this better? That mindset stuck with me and has influenced how I approach both clinical challenges and technology development. It also reinforced how important collaboration is—many of the most impactful innovations happen when clinicians, engineers, and scientists work together.
What motivated your transition from academia to industry, and how has your career evolved since then?
I realized pretty early that academia moves at a different pace than I wanted. I loved research, but I wanted to see tangible results faster and be more involved in the process of bringing new technologies to life. Moving into industry allowed me to bridge that gap—I could still be deeply involved in science and innovation but in a way that felt more applied. Over time, my role has evolved from being solely focused on R&D to thinking more strategically about how we bring new medical technologies to market.
How did you develop an interest in venture capital and private equity, and what key insights have you gained from your investment experience?
It started with a simple question: Why do some great technologies never make it to patients? That got me interested in the business side of innovation—funding, commercialization, and strategy. As I got more involved in investment, I realized that a great technology isn’t enough—you need strong leadership, a viable market strategy, and the right timing. One of the biggest insights I’ve gained is that good investing isn’t just about picking the right companies; it’s about understanding how to support founders, navigate regulatory challenges, and create an ecosystem where breakthrough technologies can thrive.
You’ve published extensively and hold multiple patents. How has your research experience influenced your work in both industry and investment?
Research teaches you how to ask the right questions, analyze data objectively, and think critically—skills that are just as important in industry and investment as they are in academia. Having that background allows me to quickly assess whether a technology is truly innovative or just incremental. It also helps me communicate effectively with technical teams and translate complex science into something actionable for investors and business leaders. At the end of the day, research is about solving problems, and whether I’m in a lab, working on a product, or evaluating an investment, that problem-solving mindset is what I rely on most.
Why did you decide to join the VIC Fellows program, and what do you hope to contribute to and gain from this experience?
VIC is doing something unique by building companies from the ground up based on strong science, and that aligns with how I think about innovation. I wanted to be part of an environment where I could apply my technical background while learning more about the process of venture creation. I hope to contribute by bringing my experience in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and clinical applications to help assess new technologies. At the same time, I’m excited to gain more exposure to the venture-building process and work with a team that’s focused on translating great science into real-world solutions.
Looking ahead, what trends or technologies in healthcare and NeuroTech do you believe will have the biggest impact in the next 5-10 years?
A few big trends stand out. AI will continue transforming diagnostics and personalized medicine, making early detection and intervention much more precise. Brain-computer interfaces and neuromodulation are advancing quickly, with applications ranging from treating neurological disorders to enhancing cognition. The integration of wearables and biosensors into healthcare is another key shift—continuous monitoring will allow for more proactive management of conditions like epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases.
One area that’s particularly exciting is the potential role of quantum computing in healthcare and neuroscience. While still in its early stages, quantum computing has the potential to accelerate drug discovery, optimize complex biological modeling, and enhance machine learning applications in diagnostics. It could enable more sophisticated simulations of neural activity, leading to deeper insights into brain function and new treatments for neurological diseases.
Lastly, decentralized clinical trials and AI-driven drug discovery will fundamentally change how we develop new treatments, making the process faster, more efficient, and more accessible. The convergence of these technologies will drive the next wave of breakthroughs in NeuroTech and healthcare as a whole.