Monthly news, events & updates |
Building a Rainforest in the Desert | August 2020 |
|
UNM Startup GPER G-1 Development Group Receives STTR Grant |
|
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) via the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has awarded a $300,000 grant to GPER G-1 Development Group to support their project, “Development of an innovative diabetes therapeutic via GPER targeting.”
GPER G-1 Development Group is a drug discovery and development company with the primary goal of advancing novel drug candidates that target GPER. The company has licensed a collection of unique compounds that selectively modulate GPER, either activating it or inhibiting it, for use in treating multiple diseases associated with this receptor. The lead drug candidate is G-1 (Tespria™), a GPER agonist, to treat obesity through weight loss, and to reverse diabetes and pre-diabetes. This grant will allow them to carry out more testing and perform pre-clinical pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies.
|
|
In the Spotlight - Featured Inventor |
|
|
|
|
2016 Rainforest Innovation Fellow |
Gabriel P. López, Ph.D.
Vice President for Research
Professor, Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering
Founding Director and Member, Center for Biomedical
Engineering
The University of New Mexico
A great innovator innovates everywhere. As the 2016 STC Innovation Fellow, this is particularly true of Dr. López who was recognized for his innovative technologies and leadership at UNM.
His technologies are unique micro- and nanomaterials and devices that are being used to develop innovations in flow cytometers; particle separation for diagnostics, rare cell detection and environmental sensing; and antimicrobial coatings for better ways to disinfect surgical instruments, medical devices and filtration systems.
|
|
|
UNM Startup BennuBio Receives $1 Million NIH Grant |
UNM startup BennuBio, Inc. recently announced they have won a $1 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to further develop their superfast, multi-sample cytometry technology. The technology was developed by Professor Steven Graves and colleagues from the Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Graves is the President and CEO of the company.
Over the past seven months, BennuBio has worked to advance the capacity of their current cytometers to be able to handle spheroids, or three-dimensional cell culture models. There are no cytometers currently on the market that can easily analyze these large forms. The ability to analyze spheroids is important because they offer insights into more complex interactions among different cells and provide critical understanding of how diseases are impacting tissue and how drugs then affect those interactions. With this grant, they hope to complete the project next year.
|
|
UNM Rainforest Innovations Technology Showcase
August 26 from 3:00-5:00 pm (MDT)
|
On August 26, UNM Rainforest Innovations will host a virtual Innovation Showcase to feature the latest developments in research and technology from the University of New Mexico. Six researchers will present on both life-science and physical-science technologies. This virtual event will bring together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry representatives to learn more about commercialization opportunities. |
|
Transitioning to the New Economy - Start or Expand your Business Online |
The University of New Mexico's Innovation Academy and UNM Rainforest Innovations (formerly STC.UNM) are offering a special course to help New Mexico businesses at this critical time for our state's economic recovery. This is made possible through a grant from the Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration called the NM EDA Rainforest University Center.
This course is open to anyone in the community and is available completely online. The course runs from August 17, 2020 through October 10, 2020 and costs $17.
The UNM online course will teach businesses e-commerce techniques including developing storefronts and online presence.
|
|
Rainforest Innovation Fellow in Residence Virtual Office Hours |
Meet with Rainforest Innovation Fellow Larry Sklar, Ph.D. for virtual 1:1 office hours to discuss your ideas, research, entrepreneurial, and biotechnology pursuits.
As the 2011 STC Innovation Fellow, Dr. Sklar is recognized for his ingenuity and dedication in expanding the vision of drug discovery to save lives.
Register to select the appointment time frame for a 45-minute virtual appointment and a Zoom link for your meeting will be emailed to you.
|
|
Virtual Rainforest Mentor Office Hours
August 21 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
|
Stacy Sacco teaches entrepreneurial studies at the Anderson School of Management, serves as the Director of the UNM Small Business Institute and is President of Sacco Connections, a management consulting firm.
Mr. Sacco will be available for one on one mentoring where he will give guidance, coaching and perspective to enhance entrepreneurship and provide connections to resources at UNM and in the community. There are many resources available to those who have ideas that they may want to turn into a business!
|
|
How to Network Virtually – NM Rainforest EDA University Center Virtual Seminar
September 9, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (MDT)
Presented by Stacy Sacco
|
With the current Covid-19 pandemic on hand, it is no longer possible to network at large events. Business has been taken online and many events are now held virtually. With that comes new strategies to make the most out of Zoom meet-ups and virtual events. This seminar will address how to be effective while networking virtually, presented by Albuquerque’s master networker, Stacy Sacco. |
|
UNM Rainforest Forum - I-Corps Mentor Panel
September 17, 4:00 p.m. (MDT)
|
Join us to hear from the mentors of the UNM NSF I-Corps Program, an entrepreneurial training program to explore the transition of a technology to the marketplace. The panelists will share their experiences as an I-Corps Mentor, development of the student teams, and the value of the program to the university. There will be time for questions about the program as well.
|
|
Going Online! Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program - Fall 2020 Cohort
|
The Advanced Economic Development Leadership (AEDL) executive education program is one-of-a-kind, with applicants needing five years professional economic development experience and completion of a basic certificate. The program is now going to be held online and will provide an engaging and immersive experience. Apply now to reserve your spot at this exciting two-week learning experience that is becoming the standard for advanced EcD training. All economic developers who successfully complete the program earn an Economic Development Master Practitioner diploma from the four partner universities.
-
Week 1: November 2-5, 2020: Online
-
Week 2: May 17 - 20, 2021, University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Park Campus, Long Beach, MS
|
|
UNM Rainforest Innovations | Website
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
