Our Team

Inoculus Ventures was founded by Dr. Bruce Wiggin, an Associate Professor at UNC and NC State in the Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Bruce Wiggin PhD

Founder & CEO

Bruce Wiggin is the founder and CEO of Inoculus Ventures, where he leads the development of a novel treatment for dry eye disease. His work focuses on translating rigorous engineering and biological insight into practical therapies aimed at improving quality of life for patients with chronic ocular conditions.

Bruce brings more than a decade of experience in medical device development, including over ten years at Asensus Surgical. There, he worked as a design engineer on advanced surgical technologies before moving into an Academic Liaison role, connecting academic research with commercial product development. His industry experience spans concept development, design, and translation of complex medical technologies.

In parallel with his entrepreneurial work, Bruce is an Associate Professor in the UNC/NC State Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, where he teaches medical device development from concept through prototype within FDA and EU regulatory frameworks. His research and engineering contributions have been recognized internationally, including publication in Nature and honors such as the Da Vinci Award and the President’s Award from the American Society of Biomechanics.

Tim Capo

Program Manager

Tim Capo brings deep experience in medical device startups, with a strong focus on mechanical design across the full product lifecycle. His background spans product design, manufacturing, and compliance with medical device regulatory requirements, giving him a practical, end-to-end perspective on development programs.

Tim has worked across a range of highly technical environments, including the design of an intraoral tomosynthesis X-ray system, manufacturing of surgical robotic platforms, and development of laparoscopic endoscopes. This mix of early-stage innovation and hands-on manufacturing experience positions him well to manage complex, cross-functional programs and drive projects from concept through execution.

Addie Eckles

Clinical Research Coordinator

Addie Eckeles is a Clinical Research Coordinator with a strong academic background in biomedical engineering. She is a graduate of Mercer University’s 4+1 Engineering program, where she earned both her Bachelor and Master of Engineering degrees in Biomedical Engineering.

Addie has prior experience working with the UNC Dental School, contributing to research efforts at the intersection of engineering and oral health. She is currently part of the Inoculus Ventures R&D team, where she also serves as a study coordinator, supporting clinical research activities and protocol execution.