Monthly news, events & updates |
Building a Rainforest in the Desert | September 2020 |
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Startup Biosafe Defenses Confirms Effectiveness of Products Against Covid-19 |
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The current demand for disinfectant wipes and cleaning products has grown drastically since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States and now more than ever hospitals, businesses, and public spaces are held to higher cleaning standards. Bleach, alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide have been found to kill COVID-19 on surfaces, however, their major downside is that they lack the ability to keep surfaces clean for extended periods of time and thus require constant re-application.
This is not the case for startup BioSafe Defenses’ conjugated polyelectrolytes, which continue to kill viruses and bacteria for as long as 24-hours, even after an applied surface has dried. The startup is developing consumer products from an extensive portfolio of proprietary, new class of polymers and oligomers with anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-biofilm characteristics developed at the University of New Mexico. The company licenses the technology portfolio from UNM Rainforest Innovations (formerly STC.UNM). Independent tests have shown that BioSafe’s light-activated antimicrobials can kill bacteria for long durations and have also been demonstrated to kill COVID-19 in vitro (in solution). More tests are currently underway to measure their effectiveness on hard surfaces.
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In the Spotlight - Featured Inventor |
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2017 Rainforest Innovation Fellow |
David S. Peabody, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology
Member, Comprehensive Cancer Center
The University of New Mexico
Dr. Peabody is recognized as a pioneering innovator in developing the next generation of vaccines for viruses, pathogens and chronic diseases and as a dedicated mentor to the next generation of vaccine researchers. His work focuses on developing a new platform for peptide display and affinity selection, based on the virus-like particles (VLPs) of RNA bacteriophage MS2 for the discovery of new vaccines that address some of the world’s most problematic infectious and chronic diseases.
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UNM Rainforest Innovations Call for FY2021 Gap Fund Proposals |
UNM Rainforest Innovations (formerly STC.UNM) is accepting proposals for FY2021 gap funding. The goal of our gap funding is to further develop an early stage, unlicensed UNM technology, previously disclosed to UNM Rainforest Innovations, so that it has a greater chance of successfully being licensed by industry or becoming the basis of a new start-up company.
To apply for this funding, which is limited to amounts up to $25,000 for a one-year project, a faculty member should prepare a proposal based on a UNM technology which has been disclosed in an invention or copyright disclosure form. The deadline for submitting proposals is September 30th, 2020. For more details on proposal requirements, guidelines and the submission process, please see the UNM Rainforest Innovations website: https://innovations.unm.edu/inventors/gap-funding/.
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UNM Professor and Inventor Nathan Jackson to Lead New Project for Department of Defense |
Nathan Jackson, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and inventor at UNM, is the sole principal investigator for a new project funded by the Army Research Office, the Army’s principal agent for the planning, organization, selection, and management of extramural basic research in the physical, engineering, and informational sciences.
The three-year project called “Development of Multifunctional Flexible Piezoelectrical Materials for MEMS” will focus on piezoelectric materials with enhanced mechanical properties. The materials will have the ability to convert mechanical stress into an internal electrical charge.
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UNM Takes Over Innovate ABQ Project |
In July the University of New Mexico (UNM) accepted the transfer of Innovate ABQ, a nonprofit 501(c)3 that UNM set up in 2015 to independently manage the development of the seven-acre site including the Lobo Rainforest Building, CNM FUSE Makerspace, and next the development of the First Baptist Church. UNM’s real estate entity Lobo Development Corp. and UNM Rainforest Innovations (formerly STC.UNM), the university’s technology transfer and economic development office, will jointly oversee the Innovate ABQ project going forward, pending final approval by the New Mexico Higher Education Department and the State Board of Finance.
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Lobo Rainforest I-Corps Site at UNM Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2020 Cohort |
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Do you have an idea for a technology? Explore the transition of your technology to the marketplace through this entrepreneurial training program to help determine if your technology is ready for the market. Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), this program’s purpose is to teach UNM faculty and students to identify market or product opportunities that can emerge from academic research or student ideas.
Join us for our I-Corps Mentor Panel event to learn more:
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UNM Rainforest Forum - I-Corps Mentor Panel
September 17, 4:00 p.m. (MDT)
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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. |
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2020 Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize Awarded to Frank Martinez |
Frank Martinez, a former UNM Rainforest Innovations Board Member, was named a lifetime achievement awardee of the Paul Bartlett Ré Peace Prize. Mr. Martinez retired in 2012 as a visiting research scholar in the Department of Architecture & Planning at the University of New Mexico. The Peace Prize is administered annually by the University of New Mexico Foundation and recognizes UNM student, faculty, staff, alumnus, and retirees who promote peace, harmony and understanding among people. The recipient’s work may be impactful on a local, regional, national, or even global level, but the emphasis must be on promoting both internal and external peace through their work.
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Virtual Rainforest Mentor Office Hours
September 4 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
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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!
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How to Network Virtually – NM Rainforest EDA University Center Virtual Seminar
September 9, 10:00-11:00 a.m. (MDT)
Presented by Stacy Sacco
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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. |
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Virtual Mentoring for Entrepreneurs
September 16, 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (MDT)
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Virtual 1:1 mentoring with Susan Cornelius where she will provide guidance, coaching, perspective, and connections to enhance entrepreneurship and 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! Join us online to learn more about what is available and which connections are the best fit for you.
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Rainforest Innovation Fellow in Residence Virtual Office Hours
September 18, 2:00-4:00 p.m. (MDT)
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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.
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Going Online! Advanced Economic Development Leadership Program - Fall 2020 Cohort
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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.
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Week 1: November 2-5, 2020: Online
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Week 2: May 17 - 20, 2021, University of Southern Mississippi, Gulf Park Campus, Long Beach, MS
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UNM Rainforest Innovations | Website
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