From workshops to winnings, Alisa Drapeaux and TRI Medical are gaining momentum.

After honing her pitch through NSF I-Corps at both the regional and local levels, Drapeaux took home the top prize of $10,000 at the Iowa BioTech Conference’s showcase competition on March 5. Overcoming 40 applicants, Drapeaux impressed judges with her medical training device that is designed to help students master spine assessment. Now, with an industry mentor and a growing network, she’s setting her sights on continued growth.

“You look at yourself in the mirror and think, what am I doing?” Drapeaux said. “Then something like this happens and you say, OK, maybe others believe in this like I believe in it. You get a boost of confidence and some buy-in that makes you want to continue to move forward.”

A native of Waterloo, Iowa, Drapeaux earned a Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from the University of Iowa. She received a Doctor in Physical Therapy from the University of Iowa in 2004 and has practiced orthopedic physical therapy for more than 20 years. Drapeaux is an Assistant Clinical Education Director and an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Des Moines University.

Through years of a clinical experience, Drapeaux noticed that many doctoral students did not feel confident in spine diagnosis or manual therapy application. Through research and the tech transfer program, she created a device that allowed students to practice spine assessment and manual therapy techniques on a simulation device to get feedback before they put their hands on a patient. Drapeaux took her idea to the NSF I-Corps regional cohort and upon completion of the workshop, she still wanted to learn more.

Drapeaux sought further guidance from the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) local cohort, embracing a growth mindset by participating in the four-week virtual sessions and preparing for constructive feedback. The mentors from Iowa JPEC provided valuable insights, particularly those well-versed in the medical field. Through the program, Drapeaux conducted more customer discovery, connecting with potential future University of Iowa PhD students and expanding her network of medical providers and faculty.

At the Iowa BioTech Showcase and Conference in Ankeny, Iowa, Drapeaux pitched TRI Medical and won first place and $10,000. She continues to register for competitions, including Iowa JPEC’s Innovation Challenge for alumni.

Moving forward, Drapeaux’s Iowa JPEC mentor will be adjunct instructor Gregg Barcus.

“Gregg has a wealth of knowledge, a lot of experience with NSF I-Corps, and he has done a great job guiding me through this process” Drapeaux said. “He has the ability to connect University of Iowa resources with somebody like me who is an alumnus, and he wants what's best for entrepreneurs. He has my best needs at hand with everything he does and wants to connect me with other successful entrepreneurs.”

Drapeaux is embracing every opportunity to expand TRI Medical. With her training device, a growing network, and a clear vision, she proves that entrepreneurship and innovation go hand in hand.