Student Team

ASSOCIATES, FELLOWS & INTERNS

Associates, Fellows & Interns are considered valuable members of the NC IDEA team, assisting in the review and evaluation of grant applications, making recommendations and, at times, taking on modest coaching roles with competitive applicants.

NC IDEA has three different opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to support our work and engage directly with NC startups. Competitive candidates for all opportunities will have a demonstrated interest in startups and entrepreneurship. Learn more about each of the opportunities.

Kevin Cahill

Kevin Cahill

2025 Startup Analyst Associate
Jayme Ciampa

Jayme Ciampa

2025 Summer Graduate Fellow
Rich Gilliam

Rich Gilliam

2025 Startup Analyst Associate and Summer Graduate Fellow
Larkin Gliddon 3.18.25

Larkin Gliddon

2025 Summer Undergraduate Intern
Shuban Gouru 3.18.25

Shuban Gouru

2025 Summer Undergraduate Intern
Erica Marshburn

Erica Marshburn

2025 Startup Analyst Associate
Arya Ranjan

Arya Ranjan

2025 Startup Analyst Associate
Caleb Ruffin

Caleb Ruffin

2025 Startup Analyst Associate
Kaya Shimer 3.18.25

Kaya Shimer

2025 Summer Undergraduate Intern
Screenshot 2025-01-15 at 3.28.40 PM

Aaron Wan

2025 Startup Analyst Associate

Kevin Cahill

2025 Startup Analyst Associate

Kevin Cahill is a board-certified neurosurgeon, medical device innovator, and entrepreneur with a passion for advancing innovation, startups, and healthcare technology. After completing his neurosurgery training at Harvard, Kevin cultivated a deep interest in entrepreneurship and medical device development. While practicing as a neurosurgeon in Charlotte, NC, he consulted for multiple healthcare technology companies, contributing expertise in product development, strategic planning, and market entry. He later transitioned from clinical practice to co-found and lead a successful medical device startup, where he guided the development and commercialization of a novel surgical power tool that was ultimately acquired.

Currently, Kevin is a first-year student in the Executive MBA program at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School, focusing on venture capital and healthtech innovation.

In his free time, Kevin enjoys open-water swimming, weightlifting, and playing sports with his two children.

Jayme Ciampa

2025 Summer Graduate Fellow

Jayme Ciampa is a first-year MBA candidate at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. With a background as a registered nurse, Jayme previously served in the United States Army Nurse Corps before transitioning to the civilian healthcare sector. Most recently, Jayme dedicated her efforts to improving healthcare access in rural communities across the United States. Her experience working in austere and rural environments ignited a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, as she consistently sought creative and sustainable solutions to meet patients’ healthcare needs.

At Fuqua, Jayme is furthering her expertise by pursuing certificates in both the Health Sector Management program and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship program. These specialized tracks align with her goal of driving meaningful change through healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship.

Rich Gilliam

2025 Startup Analyst Associate and Summer Graduate Fellow

Rich Gilliam is a first-year student in the Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (MEITE) program at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. With a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a decade of experience in innovation and problem-solving across science and engineering sectors, he brings a unique perspective to transforming educational approaches.

Rich leads initiatives to make STEM education more accessible and engaging for youth. He has developed innovative educational products, including STEM-focused books and robotic kits, to make learning more interactive and engaging. He currently serves as the President of the RTP chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), where he works to foster collaboration and innovation within the engineering community. Rich is actively expanding his knowledge in venture capital entrepreneurship and startup development, aiming to further his impact in both educational innovation and entrepreneurial leadership.

When not working on his various initiatives, he cherishes time spent with his wife and newborn daughter, finding inspiration in watching her grow.

Larkin Gliddon

2025 Summer Undergraduate Intern

Larkin is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship. Larkin exhibits a passion for entrepreneurship by leading Build the Hill, a student-led nonprofit organization that provides pro bono microfinance and consulting services to the Triangle’s small businesses. He realized the value of cross-sector collaboration through the Luther Hodges Scholars program within the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, where he serves on the Leadership Council. Outside of professional endeavors, Larkin enjoys hiking around North Carolina, weightlifting, playing pickup basketball games, and painting ceramics.

Shuban Gouru

2025 Summer Undergraduate Intern

Shuban is a sophomore at UNC-CH, pursuing a B.A. in Human Organizational Leadership Development, a B.S. in Business Administration, and a minor in Entrepreneurship.

He is a passionate social entrepreneur working to bridge information and resource gaps through B2C or B2B SAAS solutions. He is currently building Pitch Labs, a nonprofit working to help inspire, educate, and mentor high school entrepreneurs. In the future, he hopes to work on humanitarian projects to secure basic physiological needs (clean water, consistent and nutritious food, and shelter) for billions of people worldwide to help them reach their full potential.

In his free time, Shuban likes to hike, watch documentaries, and try new restaurants with his friends.

Erica Marshburn

2025 Startup Analyst Associate

Erica is a first-year MBA student at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, with a passion for driving positive change in healthcare, improving the care delivery experience for both patients and providers. Erica holds undergraduate degrees in Physiology and Economics, as well as a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Arizona.

Before pursuing her MBA, Erica split her time between working as an emergency physician at Kaiser Permanente and developing a health literacy software startup focused on helping patients better understand and engage with their healthcare. She is currently pursuing certificates in Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Health Sector Management, with the goal of building a career in healthcare venture capital after graduation.

Within the Fuqua community, Erica serves as a cabinet member for Building Outdoor Leaders at Duke (BOLD) and Fuqua Special Olympics. She continues to practice as an emergency physician and enjoys backpacking sections of the Appalachian Trail, making progress on her extensive reading list, and training for triathlons.

Arya Ranjan

2025 Startup Analyst Associate

Arya is a third-year undergraduate at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, pursuing a Business Administration major with minors in Data Science and Entrepreneurship. She first gained exposure to the entrepreneurial ecosystem of North Carolina in the summer of 2023 as an Undergraduate Intern at NC IDEA, where she worked with several grantees and reviewed MICRO grants in the fall cycles. Building on this experience, she has since interned at Cofounders Capital, Carry Venture Capital, and the Center for Entrepreneurial Development to further explore the startup and venture capital space.

Caleb Ruffin

2025 Startup Analyst Associate

Caleb Ruffin is a first-year MBA student at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, concentrating in Strategy, Finance and Social Entrepreneurship. Being raised in NC, Caleb is passionate about strengthening North Carolina’s startup and venture capital ecosystem while ensuring underserved communities are given access to the opportunities and growth that entrepreneurship provides. His interests span the future of work, technology, and economic development, with a particular focus on using technological innovation to close wealth and opportunity gaps.

Prior to Fuqua, Caleb worked at LinkedIn and Accenture, where he gained experience in market research, strategy, and leveraging data-driven insights to inform impactful decisions. Additionally, Caleb holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.

At Fuqua, Caleb is actively involved in the CASE Impact Investing Initiative, ETA Club and other initiatives that combine his passions for business and social impact. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching sports and exploring new destinations around the globe, with his most memorable recent experience being skydiving in Dubai.

Kaya Shimer

2025 Summer Undergraduate Intern

Kaya is an Undergraduate student at North Carolina State University. She is majoring in Design Studies with a minor in Business Entrepreneurship.

She is passionate about entrepreneurship and accessibility, which she pursues through her job as an events assistant with NC State Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Kaya also runs Trailblazing Unleashed, a blog focused on making the adventure accessible to everyone.

Additionally, she works as an education intern for the Gregg Museum of Art & Design, where she furthers her passion for accessibility through public education. On a less professional note, Kaya has an amazing three legged dog and a cat to keep her company at home and on her outdoor adventures. Her main passions outside of work and school center around the outdoors, the arts, and her fur babies.

Aaron Wan

2025 Startup Analyst Associate

Aaron is a first-year MBA candidate concentrating in entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Prior to business school, Aaron co-founded the largest vintage clothing convention in North Carolina, the NC Vintage Bazaar. He has since become passionate about live events and aspires to create a new venture within the industry.

In his free time, Aaron enjoys thrift shopping, traveling, and cooking.