Dr. Rukmini Avadhanam, Ph.D.
Senior Research Associate – Discovery Partners Institute
Dr. Avadhanam is a learning scientist with a background in education and psychology whose research focuses on improving teaching and learning through collaborative, experiential, and technology-enhanced approaches. Her interdisciplinary work spans AI in education, teacher education, learning technologies, and workforce development. At the Discovery Partners Institute, her research examines how generative AI can support student learning, critical thinking, and collaborative inquiry, as well as how educators can integrate AI in culturally responsive and pedagogically meaningful ways.
She also leads the Illinois Department of Public Health-sponsored Illinois One Health Scholars Program, an interdisciplinary workforce development initiative that prepares emerging public health professionals to address complex health challenges across human, animal, and environmental systems. The program combines faculty-guided experiential learning with year-long placements in local health departments, connecting interdisciplinary One Health education and research with applied public health practice.
Douglas O’Brien
VP – Corporate and Public Affairs – Rush University System for Health
O’Brien plays a pivotal role in shaping healthcare policy, operations, and public strategy for the Rush University Medical Center. He oversees public policy, advocacy and government affairs. His deep operational expertise was highly demonstrated during his tenure as the Interim President and Executive Director of RUSH Health in 2022. His expertise in regulatory frameworks led to his appointment by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to the Advisory Panel on Hospital Outpatient Payment. In this federal advisory capacity, he counsels the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CMS on clinical safety, quality metrics, and payment policies for outpatient care.
Prior to his prominent roles in hospital administration, O’Brien served as a Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.
Monica Vajani
Executive Director – mHUB’s MedTech Accelerator
Vajani is the Executive Director of the MedTech Accelerator at mHUB in Chicago, where she leads the recruitment, strategic evaluation, and program execution for early-stage hardtech and medical device startups. With nearly two decades of experience spanning medical devices, corporate innovation, venture capital, and startup advocacy, Monica is a prominent fixture in Chicago’s healthcare innovation ecosystem. Her leadership focuses on helping founders scale groundbreaking medical technologies, navigate value-based care models, and bridge early-stage capital gaps.
Prior to joining mHUB, Monica drove organic growth initiatives and corporate strategy as the Executive Director of Innovation at GHX, a leading cloud-based supply chain network connecting global health systems and medical device companies. She also served as a Senior Advisor on the Chronic Care Transformation team at CVS Health, designing pilot programs to optimize medication adherence and care coordination for oncology patients.
She was also named one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Leaders in Health Care Technology for her excellence in driving technology-forward solutions and elevating the local MedTech ecosystem. As an active investor and speaker, she frequently represents mHUB Ventures on panels regarding the future of life sciences, regional investing, and pediatric product innovation.
