“The combination of research acumen and entrepreneurial thinking that I cultivated through my experiences has empowered me to drive meaningful change in both academia and industry,” says Vibhor Mahajan, PhD.
Vibhor Mahajan, PhD, earned his PhD in Clinical Research in January 2025 from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Prior to that, he completed a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Healthcare Management. He now works as a Program Manager of Education and Entrepreneurship/Innovation with Mount Sinai Innovation Partners.
In a Q&A, he discusses what brought him to Mount Sinai for both degrees, why he selected this area of study, and how he expects this training to advance his career.
What brought you to Mount Sinai as a master’s student?
My decision to join Mount Sinai was driven by its reputation for cutting-edge research and its dynamic environment at the intersection of health care, technology, and innovation. Coming from an engineering background, I had already transitioned into health care through my work in quality improvement at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in California, where I saw the potential for data-driven strategies to enhance patient care. Mount Sinai stood out not only for its focus on public health but also for its commitment to translating research into actionable health care solutions. The opportunity to learn from experts actively shaping health care policy and practice made it the ideal place to advance my knowledge and skills.
What were some of your achievements as a master’s student?
During my MPH, I had the chance to work on several impactful projects. One notable achievement was my master’s capstone project, which I worked on under the mentorship of Kritina Monti, PhD, LCSW, and Alexander Preker, MD, PhD. This project involved developing a machine learning-based application aimed at providing personalized care pathways for individuals with substance use disorders. It required analyzing complex datasets to identify behavioral patterns and ultimately conceptualizing an algorithm to improve treatment linkages. Additionally, I conducted a comprehensive analysis of emergency department utilization patterns related to behavioral health, which revealed opportunities for cost savings and better care delivery.
These efforts were recognized with several prestigious awards, which further reinforced my passion for using data-driven approaches to solve complex health care challenges and improve patient outcomes. During my MPH, I also had the opportunity to present my work at the American Public Health Association’s Annual Conference, with a travel grant from the MPH Program. My time as a master’s student was defined by combining technical expertise with public health principles to address real-world challenges in health care. These experiences not only shaped my academic and professional journey but also deepened my commitment to leveraging data and innovation to address pressing healthcare challenges
Why did you choose the PhD in Clinical Research program?
The PhD in Clinical Research at Mount Sinai attracted me because it offered a unique blend of scientific rigor and practical application, which perfectly aligned with my goal of advancing health care innovation. Having already explored process optimization and data-driven decision-making in clinical settings, I wanted to dive deeper into the intricacies of clinical trials and health systems. The program’s focus on developing new methodologies to improve clinical research infrastructure resonated with my passion for enhancing operational efficiency in health care.
What truly set the program apart for me was the opportunity to deepen my clinical research skills and develop an entrepreneurial mindset through various opportunities offered at Mount Sinai. Through opportunities like the Targeted Healthcare Innovation Fellowship (THRIVE) by Mount Sinai Biodesign, and the Fellows Program by Mount Sinai Innovation Partners, I was able to hone my skills in translating research into practical, market-driven solutions, complementing my academic experience. I give huge credit to my mentors in the areas of entrepreneurship and biomedical ventures, especially Brian Nickerson, PhD, JD (who was also my PhD advisor) and Dov Shamir PhD. Through their guidance, I realized how important it is to have entrepreneurial thinking to bring solutions from bench to bedside and how practicality can improve overall health and quality of life.
As part of my dissertation, I worked closely with the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network, developing a framework to evaluate the performance of clinical trial networks. This experience allowed me to combine both clinical research and entrepreneurial thinking, ensuring that the clinical trials I evaluated were not only scientifically sound but also strategically aligned with broader healthcare goals. The combination of research and entrepreneurial skills I gained throughout the PhD program has equipped me with a comprehensive skill set to drive innovation in both clinical research and health care entrepreneurship.
How did your public health experience help with completing your PhD in Clinical Research?
My public health training provided a crucial lens through which I approached clinical research. In the MPH program, I learned to evaluate health care interventions not only for their clinical efficacy but also for their economic and societal impact. This perspective allowed me to design a holistic evaluation framework for clinical trial networks during my PhD, integrating clinical, economic, and operational metrics to assess performance. Additionally, my experience in health data analysis during the MPH program helped me leverage large datasets to uncover insights about trial efficiency, patient recruitment, and resource allocation. The interdisciplinary nature of public health empowered me to think beyond the lab, considering broader policy implications and the real-world scalability of clinical research innovations.
How are you using your Mount Sinai degrees to advance your career?
My academic journey at Mount Sinai has equipped me with a versatile skill set that bridges clinical research, public health, and entrepreneurship. Today, as Program Manager of Education and Entrepreneurship/Innovation with Mount Sinai Innovation Partners, I help researchers and clinicians navigate the complex process of translating their innovations into viable health care solutions. The combination of research acumen and entrepreneurial thinking that I cultivated through my experiences has empowered me to drive meaningful change in both academia and industry, working to improve health care delivery and patient outcomes on multiple fronts.
