Young Entrepreneur in Residence Interns

2012

Robert Ferris, Duke University

Robert is currently pursuing concurrent degrees in the Pratt School of Engineering and The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Within Pratt, Robert is a Ph.D. candidate in the school of Mechanical Engineering and Material Science. His research focuses on novel interfaces for nano-scale self-assembly. With over 10 years of experience in the field of nanotechnology and surface patterning, he has published 5 papers and presented his work at numerous international symposiums. Within Fuqua, Robert is a second year full-time MBA candidate pursuing a concentration in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He has served as a technical consultant for a number of P4E teams and works with both the High-Tech club and EVCC clubs. Last year Robert worked with Southeast TechInventures on developing a sales and revenue growth model for the local start-up company Ironwood Material Science. 

Prior to attending Duke, Robert worked as a pharmaceutical consultant and real estate agent. He spent three years as a technical consultant for a vaccine development facility focused on producing phase III clinical trial materials. During that time, Robert also started his own real estate firm and maintains an active NC real estate brokers license.

Robert holds a bachelor and masters degree in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University.

Outside of school and work, Robert regularly participates in cycling and Ironman events. For the past two years he has been a sponsored athlete of the Triangle-Multisport & Inside-Out Sports Elite Triathlon Team. Robert is currently a CAT 2 bike racer and has qualified for Kona three times. He has coached the Duke Triathlon, Duke Cycling Teams and a number of individual multisport athletes.

Hunter Moore, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Hunter Moore is a first year MBA candidate concentrating in Entrepreneurship and Finance at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School. In addition to serving as a Young Entrepreneur in Residence at NC IDEA, he is also working with Boeing Defense and Space to commercialize a military based technology and is volunteering with Junior Achievement. 

Hunter has broad experience ranging from scientific research, product design/development, business development, information technology, and engineering and business consulting. Companies he has worked with include, Boeing, IBM, Sandia National Laboratories and Intelligent Floatation Devices.  Hunter has also served as a volunteer with the Big Brother mentor program and Boeing’s afterschool math and science programs. Hunter holds a bachelor and masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Education