Brian Mullen, PhD
Brian has unique background in the early stages for trying to figure out the problem, flush out ideas, develop concepts, create action plans to test ideas and concepts, building business models, and crafting and presenting value propositions and pitches. Before coming to Nantucket, Brian has worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, working with doctors, researchers, and staff to identify and advance innovation opportunities and ideas to improve care. He is currently president of the board for the Institute for Human Centered Design.
Brian got his BSME, MSME, and PhD in Mechanical Engineering. His focus area of research was how to design for innovation, specifically to design new solutions for people with cognitive disabilities and mental illnesses. Core to his work was exploring ways to include all different types of backgrounds and disciplines into the design process early and often.
Based on his research Brian founded Therapeutic Systems. The goal of Therapeutic Systems was to improve mental illness through the design and development of technologies to improve the quality of life and quality of care of people with mental illnesses and cognitive disabilities. Our goal was to provide the first evidence based insurance reimbursed medical device to people with autism. Ultimately, many factors resulting in the closing of the company. Currently, Brian continues to advocate for more and better innovation in the care of people with mental illness through legislative efforts: There can be no parity in care without parity in innovation.