Tommy Pham ’09, ’11

Biotech Entrepreneur and Innovation Enthusiast

Majors: Biology, Master's in Business Administration

As an undergraduate, my plan was to pursue a career in medicine. But then my career path took a turn when I was accepted into the Entrepreneur Scholars Program, where I learned the meaning of following your passion and building your own dreams.

I completed my MBA at UP and also earned a Technology Entrepreneurship Certificate—a joint program offered by the University and Oregon Health & Science University that provides participants with the opportunity to analyze OHSU technologies for commercial feasibility. One of these technologies turned into Nzumbe, a start-up that I co-founded. Our team participated in the Franz Center’s $100K challenge and received initial funding for Nzumbe from the UP Launchpad Committee. So far, our company has received over $500K to help with early stage research and development.

In addition, I work for Nike as a patent liaison, where I lead the capturing of new innovation across the company. Being at Nike is a dream come true because I have always been inspired by the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit of Tinker Hatfield and Phil Knight. I also devote time as a founding board member of the Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute, a non-profit research organization that focuses on finding new innovative approaches and treatments for pediatric cancer.