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March 26, 2019 Media Advisory: UA to Honor the Year's Top Inventors, Entrepreneurs and Ecosystem Champions
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TUCSON, Ariz. — Tech Launch Arizona will honor the top inventors and entrepreneurs dedicated to commercializing the University of Arizona's inventions at the annual I-Squared Awards April 1. The event will also include an expo where researchers and inventors from across the UA will be at tables talking about their inventions and startups. Tech Launch Arizona, the office of the UA that commercializes inventions stemming from research, will honor individuals from across the UA and Tucson ecosystems, and introduce a new award for Student Innovator of the Year. The expo will include display tables from eight UA researchers, inventors and startups. Schedule for the evening:
Inventor of the Year: Louise Hecker Hecker's lab invented the first highly selective Nox4 small molecule inhibitors for the treatment of fibrotic disorders. The startup Fibronox was launched to develop the invention and bring it to the world. Startup of the Year: Urbix Resources Urbix was founded to commercialize a portfolio of lithium-ion battery and related material technologies. Dr. Palash Gangopadhyay, CTO of the company, was an adjunct research professor at the college when he originally developed the inventions. Ecosystem Impact: Base Horner and Gurtis Gunn, Desert Angels The Desert Angels is one of the country's leading angel investor groups with over 80 members, many of whom have invested in a significant portfolio of UA companies. The Tucson-based private investment group has been a great supporter of the Tech Launch Arizona mission and an active player in helping UA startups achieve success. Campus Collaborator of the Year: Jennifer Barton BIO5 supports and encourages faculty engagement in commercialization and works as a strategic partner to Tech Launch Arizona. Its director, Jennifer Barton, has been a champion for invention and commercialization at the UA. Student Innovator of the Year: Dawson Baker Baker took his own invention – a way to put nanoparticles in glass – through the TLA I-Corps program. TLA also chose to invest Asset Development funds in his project, moving that innovation closer to impact. Baker is pursuing a Ph.D. in optical sciences and has served as a TLA Technology Student Fellow. The David N. Allen Award for Leadership and Vision: James C. Wyant During his time at the UA, professor emeritus James Wyant made contributions to research and teaching in optical sciences, electrical and computer engineering, and served as the founding dean of the UA College of Optical Sciences. During his career, Wyant also co-founded local optics companies WYKO Corp and 4D Technology Corp. ### |
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| Media contact: Paul Tumarkin Tech Launch Arizona 520-626-8770 pault@tla.arizona.edu |
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| Established in 1885, the University of Arizona, the state's super land-grant university with two medical schools, produces graduates who are real-world ready through its 100% Engagement initiative. Recognized as a global leader and ranked 16th for the employability of its graduates, the UA is also a leader in research, bringing more than $622 million in research investment each year, and ranking 21st among all public universities. The UA is advancing the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships, and is a member of the Association of American Universities, the 62 leading public and private research universities. It benefits the state with an estimated economic impact of $8.3 billion annually. |
