The 2022 Frankel Cardiovascular Center (FCVC) Innovation Challenge Pitch Event took place Thursday, May 19. The goal of the challenge is to empower the community of trainees, faculty, staff, patients, and families at the CVC to propose, test, and implement new innovations.

Seven teams presented their innovative projects, and the panel of expert judges awarded the $100K grand prize to the Ultrasound-Detectable Endotracheal Tube led by John Charpie, M.D., Ph.D. (Pediatric Cardiology). The tube reduces the risk and cost associated with misplaced endotracheal tubes and unintended extubations.

Congratulations to everyone who participated!

The 16th cohort of the FFMI fastPACE course recently finished with nine teams from the University of Michigan, Beaumont, Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, and Dartmouth Health completing the full course and giving their final presentations.

FFMI fastPACE is a groundbreaking, four-week program that provides a real-world learning experience for researchers exploring the commercial viability of a biomedical technology. The course shows clinician-researchers and biomedical research scientists how to successfully put their ideas on viable paths to commercialization through a process of accelerated business planning and customer discovery.

Looking for feedback and input on your biomedical innovation? Join the FFMI team for Innovation Studio, virtual office hours that give life science innovators of all levels the chance to address project needs, challenges, or questions.

Participants can get individual feedback on:

The Innovation Studio is available for 30-minute consultations via Zoom every third Tuesday of the month. The next available consultations will take place Tuesday, June 21 and Tuesday, July 19 between 2:00pm-3:30pm. Space is limited.

Questions? Email Jon Servoss, FFMI Director of Commercialization Education.

Katherine Mercieca is Fast Forward Medical Innovation's new Commercialization Education Program Coordinator. She joins FFMI from the Center for Academic Innovation (CAI), where she served as a Learning Experience Design Student Resident and Online Student Services Fellow during her graduate program. Prior to her work at CAI, Katherine worked at U-M’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions where she was involved in developing training opportunities and materials. She holds a bachelors, masters, and graduate certificate from the University of Michigan.

Katherine lives in Saline with her fiancé and will be getting married next year. In her free time, she enjoys reading, volunteering, spending time with friends and family, and playing with her three cats.

Shelby Unsworth is the newest member of the Fast Forward Medical Innovation Business Development Team, where she will serve as the Industry Alliance Manager for the Rogel Cancer Center. She previously worked with both FFMI and the Cancer Center through her participation in the Research Administration Fellowship Program based in the Medical School Office of Research. Prior to her fellowship, Shelby completed her Ph.D. and postdoctoral research training in cancer research at the University of Michigan.

Shelby and her husband live in Saline with their dog Alan and will be welcoming a baby girl this month. In her free time, Shelby coaches the University of Michigan Artistic Swimming Team and competes with the Michigan Synchro Masters.

Welcome, Katherine and Shelby!

Debra Grega, FFMI Business Development Director, joined many U-M faculty at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 2022 Conference in New Orleans, June 3-7. Debra focused on meeting company representatives in order to encourage industry research collaborations by describing the depth and breadth of diabetes research and clinical care at U-M and Michigan Medicine. U-M was well represented at the conference and in leadership positions. Additionally, one of U-M’s leaders, Dr. Rodica Pop-Busui, is President-elect for the ADA.

As part of a Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund (MBVF) event in San Francisco, John Seamans, M.S.E., Fund Manager, presented the fund to life science investors, experts, and prospective alumni donors. College of Engineering Dean, Alec Gallimore, provided opening remarks at the event.

John also met with healthcare startup incubators and venture capitalists to discuss MBVF and learn best practices to support and build life science startup ecosystems.