Monthly news, events & updates | Building a Rainforest in the Desert | November 2024 | |
UNM Rainforest Innovations Welcomes Newest Member to Join Board of Directors | | |
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Michael Richards, MD
Interim Executive Vice President, UNM Health Sciences
Interim Chief Executive Officer, UNM Health Systems
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Local Startup Circular Genomics Launches MindLight™—The First Biomarker Test for SSRI Response Prediction | |
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Circular Genomics has launched MindLight™, the first biomarker test utilizing circular RNA biomarkers to predict patient responses to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder. By identifying the likelihood of a positive response through a simple blood test, MindLight™ enables physicians to personalize treatment plans quickly, potentially starting effective therapy within a week. Circular Genomics, a leader in circular RNA-based precision medicine, hopes this test will enhance mental health care standards and clinical outcomes for patients with depression.
Learn more
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Revolutionizing Energy: Flow Aluminum’s Promising Advances in Aluminum-CO2 Battery Technology | |
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Flow Aluminum, a startup in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has made a major breakthrough in its aluminum-CO2 battery technology after successful tests at the Battery Innovation Center (BIC). The company has confirmed that its battery chemistry works well in a practical pouch cell design, showing it could be a high-performance, cost-effective alternative to lithium-ion batteries. This achievement brings Flow Aluminum closer to commercializing its technology and underscores its advantages in energy density and cost.
Read the full article
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UNMRI’s Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program Wins National Award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | |
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UNM Rainforest Innovations has won the 2024 UEDA Award of Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for its New Mexico Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program (NMTEEP). This award category recognizes projects that not only exemplify excellence in promoting diversity, equity and including but also make meaningful strides toward fostering equitable opportunities within communities. The NMTEEP is making a significant impact in New Mexico, particularly in tribal communities that have faced unique economic challenges, including the recent closures of coal mines.
Sandra Begay, Chair of the UNM Rainforest Innovations Board of Directors stated: “We are thrilled to receive the UEDA Award of Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This recognition not only validates our hard work but also highlights the incredible potential within our tribal communities.”
Learn more
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Join Us at the Rainforest Pitch Competition Finals Event
Wednesday, November 6 at 5:30 p.m.
At Bow & Arrow Brewing Co.
Join us to support entrepreneurial students pitching in the final round of the Rainforest Pitch Competition. 10 finalists will each present a 90-second "live" pitch to the audience. No need to register, just show up!
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In the Spotlight - Featured UNM Inventor | | | |
Meilian Liu, PhD
Professor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Member, Autophagy, Inflammation & Metabolism Center
The University of New Mexico
Dr. Liu's research areas include the study of signal integration and communication mechanisms in adipocyte development and metabolism, and fat hormone mediated intro- and inter-organ communication.
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Creating a Patent Strategy to Move Your Startup Toward Unicorn Status
New Mexico Rainforest Seminar Series
Thursday, November 7 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.
At the Lobo Rainforest Bldg. and Online via Zoom
Steve Sponseller helps technology companies build strong and secure patent portfolios that provide a competitive edge. He has helped more than 1,500 inventors and business leaders identify, develop, and protect their most valuable inventions.
During this seminar, Steve will discuss why a patent strategy is important for every technology startup that invents new products or services. A well-designed patent strategy can provide a competitive advantage, attract investors, attract and retain employees, and increase company valuation.
Based on Steve’s experience in working with hundreds of technology startups, he will share how to create a patent strategy that is unique to your startup. A patent strategy changes as the company grows, goals change, competitors change, and other factors. Steve has worked with several companies beginning at company formation and managing their patent strategy and patent portfolio to unicorn status and IPO (initial public offering). He will share examples of how those patent strategies changed over time to support the growth and value of the company.
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UNM Start-ups Participate in NMBio Knowledge Fair | |
New Mexico’s Bioscience and MedTech community along with investors, researchers, economic development professionals, CEOs, academics, and legislative leaders came together on October 22 to focus on health care and spotlight the work of the state’s innovative and resilient startups that are driving the growth of New Mexico's life science sector. This year, the following UNM start-ups participated in the event: | | |
YEEO (Yeast Encapsulated Essential Oils) is field testing a line of larvicides that rapidly kill disease carrying mosquito larvae, using only safe, non-toxic, food grade materials. | |
BennuBio, Inc. has greatly expanded the power of flow cytometry by developing instruments that can use the flow cytometry paradigm to analyze samples regardless of particle size or sample volume. | |
Linnaeus Therapeutics is a development stage biotech company engaged in the identification and development of small molecule agents for the treatment of cancer. | |
Empowerment Through Entrepreneurship: Highlights from the Second EBV-NAV Bootcamp | |
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The University of New Mexico partnered with Hesperus to successfully launch the second cohort for the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Native American Veterans (EBV-NAV), an innovative initiative designed specifically for Native veterans in New Mexico and the broader Southwest Region. This three-phase program empowers participants by equipping them with the essential tools and knowledge to thrive in the world of entrepreneurship.
The EBV-NAV program recognizes the unique challenges and opportunities that Native veterans face. By leveraging the resources of higher education, including the Tribal Entrepreneurship Program at UNM Rainforest Innovations, the program incorporated training focused on essential aspects of entrepreneurship and small business management.
Learn more
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Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program
Indigenous Entrepreneurs Podcast
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Catching-up with Akilah Martinez, Emerging Leader for New Mexico Women in Tech | |
Akilah Martinez is an award-winning creative technologist from the Navajo Nation. She holds a BFA, with a focus in electronic art, from The University of New Mexico. Her determination to technologically advance tribal nations enabled Akilah to travel between New York City and Los Angeles to learn from leading XR technologists. Akilah’s nontraditional STEM background has empowered her to develop augmented reality applications that incorporate Indigenous languages and offer XR development mentorship to tribal leaders and educators.
Akilah received the Emerging Leader 2024 New Mexico Women in Technology Award which recognizes the remarkable women in New Mexico who are driving innovation and excellence in their tech-related fields and inspiring and empowering others to pursue careers in the tech industry.
Check out the podcast
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The Journey to Grow Your Business Series in Dulce Supports Local Entrepreneurs | |
The entrepreneurial series, The Journey to Grow Your Business, hosted by WESST and UNM Rainforest Innovations, has been a success here in Dulce, New Mexico. Since August 26, community members interested in business growth and development have been gathering twice a month to participate in hands-on sessions covering essential topics like Networking & Partnerships, Business Planning & Strategy, Licensing & Registration, and Funding Options. The series is designed to empower local entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and resources as they work to turn their ideas into successful ventures.
Upcoming sessions:
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November 5 – Marketing, Dulce Community Center, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
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November 12 – Customer Outreach, JADE CELCC, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
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November 13 – Financial Management, Dulce Community Center, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
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November 19 – Sustaining Success & Graduation, JADE CELCC, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
We are proud to see a growing community of local entrepreneurs participating and building a network of motivated individuals working toward success. Community leaders from the Jicarilla Apache Nation are encouraged to attend our final session on November 19 to support these entrepreneurs, share insights on business practices, or participate as a guest speaker.
If interested in attending or speaking, please contact Heather Gomez, a Tribal Liaison for the New Mexico Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program, at h_gomez_505@yahoo.com.
Let’s come together to uplift and empower our local business community. Iheed’n!
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Attend Office Hours
Providing Mentoring for Your Startup/Idea
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SCORE Mentor Office Hours at the Lobo Rainforest Building
November 22, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MDT)
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Meet with SCORE mentors at the Lobo Rainforest Building! Dar Johnson and Vik Berniklau will be available for one-on-one, confidential discussions and mentoring to inventors, students, and start-up companies.
SCORE mentors are successful business people and entrepreneurs who want to give back to the community by helping other entrepreneurs become and stay successful. SCORE has been helping small businesses start and grow in the Albuquerque area for over 50 years through mentoring and workshops and seminars. SCORE is the largest National resource partner of the Small Business Administration (SBA) with about 11,000 SCORE volunteers sharing their time and talents to help America's small businesses.
| IN-PERSON at the Lobo Rainforest Building. Click "Sign up here" to select the time frame you plan to attend. | |
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Dar Johnson has over 57 years in the aerospace private sector and with the Government, including over 38 years in senior and C-level management positions. He has been responsible for achieving growth nation-wide, obtaining new customers, cost containment, turning around marginal operations, increased profitability, customer satisfaction, staffing, and policy and procedure development. He also has worked in business development, proposal support, capture manager and proposal manager. He has owned a successful consulting business.
Areas of Expertise:
- Business Plan
- Government Regulations
- Management & Operations
- Marketing
- Product Development
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Vic Berniklau is retired from the US Department of Energy as Senior Executive after filling positions in Technical and Administrative Leadership. Started two small businesses in electronic security with wife and son growing them to 30 employees ($2M sales) and turned them over to son who continues to grow them. Consultant in technology management and business management. Instructor at University of New Mexico at Graduate Level in Public Administration (Research Methodology) and Business Administration (Management of Technology).
Areas of Expertise:
- Accounting & Finance
- Business Plan
- Government Regulations
- Management & Operations
- Product Development
- Technology
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New Mexico Bio-networking Summit
Wednesday, November 13 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Q-Station
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Join the New Mexico Bioscience Authority and its collaborators including NMBio, NMSU Arrowhead Center, and UNM Rainforest Innovations for an evening of bioscience, networking, and socializing at an event that will bring together stakeholders from academia, government, and industry.
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New Mexico Artificial Intelligence in Medicine ECHO
2nd and 4th Fridays from 12:00-1:00 p.m. via Zoom
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Join this program to learn more about how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can best be integrated in medical practice. The goal is to enhance participant's confidence in understanding and utilizing AI tools and applications in their respective health care settings.
Topics covered include:
- AI Models
- Ethics of AI
- AI and Patient Communication
- Role of AI and EMRs
- AI and Telemedicine
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Rainforest Forum: How UNM Technologies Find their Start-up Team
Thursday, December 12 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
At the Lobo Rainforest Bldg.
Join us to hear how innovators and entrepreneurs have teamed up to form a start-up company and work together in commercializing UNM technologies.
The UNM Rainforest Forum was created by the UNM Rainforest Innovations Board of Directors to bring together UNM and business community members to enhance and strengthen UNM’s role in economic development.
This event is open to Rainforest Forum members and the community.
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UNM Rainforest Innovations | Website
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