Idea 2 Impact

In part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Wei Wan, we discuss specifically the technology transfer process here at Texas A&M. Dr. Wan gives advice to inventors in different stages, from graduate students to seasoned tenured faculty members. She argues for why faculty should be interested in commercialization regardless of whether they are interested in getting their ideas to the market, and discusses how Innovation Partners or other technology transfer offices can help with the process to make it seem less daunting and overwhelming. If you're curious about how licensing managers move ideas from disclosures to the marketplace, you won't want to miss this episode! Head to www.tamuip.edu to learn more about Innovation Partners. 

With over 20 years of experience as a university researcher and professor, Wei Wan’s journey to technology transfer and patenting is filled with change, challenge, and passion. In this episode, Wei Wan discusses her background in biology and how her research ultimately led her to taking the patent bar and becoming a patent agent. Now a senior licensing manager at Texas A&M Innovation Partners, Wan shares not only how she ended up where she is, but how Innovation Partners can help other inventors and entrepreneurs patent their technologies.

Dr. Larry Griffing continues to find new technologies to improve his environment through his research. In this episode, we learn about his i-Corps program and his Innovation X Grant that teaches students about herbicides and biology as well as commercialization and the process that goes behind it. 

In this two-part episode, hosts Beth Deuermeyer and Jack Manhire sit down with Dr. Larry Griffing from the Department of Biology here at Texas A&M University. We discuss his research interests, Robert Hook, and his research with the endoplasmic reticulum. You may be asking yourself what these things have in common, but you will have to listen to find out. We also discuss his Innovation[X] project where he addresses the question, "How is a discovery in basic science translated into a product that can potentially be used for the general good, while also providing a large profit?". For more episodes, or information on how you can submit an Innovation[X] proposal, visit the Innovation Partners website. 

Dr.Virender Sharma is dedicated to saving lives and helping others, so his approach to his technology is done selflessly. Dr. Sharma works as a consultant for the business that markets his technology while also continuing to do his work at Texas A&M. In this episode, he discusses why it is important to get your research out there, and he doesn't just mean through publications. Sharma, the “Real Iron Man” represents public health well, working hard to help those in need, especially during a time of great need. To learn more about the work Sharma does, listen to Idea 2 Impact or visit https://public-health.tamu.edu/directory/sharma.html

Dr. Virender Sharma is a professor in environmental and occupational health, as well as a chemist and entrepreneur. With his interest in chemistry starting at a young age, Sharma has been dedicated to scientific research to help other people for a long time. In this episode, we explore Sharma’s research and development of oxidants and hydroxy radicals, how he took an initial confusing product of research and used it to help the environment, and his new technology, which takes “electron-hungry” molecules close to pollutants and it works to destroy the pollutant. More than that, Sharma’s technology can be used as a disinfectant, water purifier, wound treatment, and even as a golf course treatment.

Available technology: Activated Ferrate Solution as a Surface and Water Disinfectant and Oxidant

Links to some of Dr. Sharma's research:

Ferrate (VI) pretreatment before disinfection: An effective approach to controlling unsaturated and aromatic halo-disinfection byproducts in chlorinated and chloraminated drinking waters

Inactivation of Murine Norovirus and Fecal Coliforms by Ferrate(VI) in Secondary Effluent Wastewater

Find out more about the Texas New Ventures Competition at http://www.TexasNVC.org 

Chris Scotti is a serial entrepreneur and long-time supporter of the innovation ecosystem in Texas. He has over 25 years of experience founding, growing and coaching emerging technology companies through relationships with private businesses and economic development organizations, as well as government and higher education institutions. Scotti’s biggest strength is the ability to play in both the technical and business worlds, and act as a connector between the two.  

Scotti is a frequent speaker to students and faculty at Texas A&M University about entrepreneurship and raising capital. He also is a regular judge, panelist, and mentor in entrepreneur and emerging technology focused state and national events. Scotti has a history as both an elected official and entrepreneur, and is dedicated to helping coach companies and foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Aggieland and Texas as a whole.

Chris Scotti is a serial entrepreneur and long-time supporter of the innovation ecosystem in Texas. He has over 25 years of experience founding, growing and coaching emerging technology companies through relationships with private businesses and economic development organizations, as well as government and higher education institutions. Scotti’s biggest strength is the ability to play in both the technical and business worlds, and act as a connector between the two.

Scotti is a frequent speaker to students and faculty at Texas A&M University about entrepreneurship and raising capital. He also is a regular judge, panelist, and mentor in entrepreneur and emerging technology focused state and national events. Scotti has a history as both an elected official and entrepreneur, and is dedicated to helping coach companies and foster the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Aggieland and Texas as a whole.

#vaccine #orphandisease #orphandrug #FDAapproval  

Part 2 of 2. You can find Part 1 here: https://anchor.fm/idea-to-impact/episodes/Ep--5-Why-it-takes-so-long-to-approve-vaccines-and-other-drugs-ejpcmj

 Dr. Thomas Kent who is the Robert H. Welch Chair Professor at Texas A&M’s Institute of Biosciences and Technology, or IBT as we call it, down in Houston, is our guest this afternoon. You will find out as you listen today that Dr. Kent’s story is unique to his area--he is a neurologist, specifically vascular neurology, as well as a teacher and researcher. Because he is working with drugs that will actually be used or injected into the human, the idea to impact journey can be a long one.  In today's episode we continue to discuss Dr. Kent's work, and the complexities of getting a drug onto the shelf in your pharmacy.

Dr. Kent’s basic science research is exploring the mechanisms by which stroke and neurodegeneration cause their injuries and create new therapies employing carbon-based nanomaterials.  His laboratory has a major focus on commercialization with several patents granted and pending.  This nanomedicine program has garnered nearly $7 million in federal funding and he is actively involved with private investment toward commercialization. Dr. Kent’s NIH-funded clinical research involves precision medicine to identify differences in the response to stroke therapies based on race and sex in collaboration with Morehouse School of Medicine.  This research is important because of the high burden of stroke in the African American community and the “stroke belt” of the Southern US. He is also funded by the State of Texas Lone Star Stroke consortium, a network of the major Texas academic Neurology departments, to study ways of providing better access to stroke prevention in underserved, rural and resource poor urban regions.

You will find out as you listen today that Dr. Thomas Kent’s story is unique to his area--he is a neurologist, specifically vascular neurology, as well as a teacher and researcher. BEcause he is working with drugs that will actually be used or injected into the human, the idea to impact journey can be a long one.

Thomas Kent, MD, is the Robert H. Welch Chair Professor at Texas A&M’s Institute of Biosciences and Technology (IBT). Dr. Kent’s basic science research is exploring the mechanisms by which stroke and neurodegeneration cause their injuries and create new therapies employing carbon-based nanomaterials.  His laboratory has a major focus on commercialization with several patents granted and pending.  This nanomedicine program has garnered nearly $7 million in federal funding and he is actively involved with private investment toward commercialization. Dr. Kent’s NIH-funded clinical research involves precision medicine to identify differences in the response to stroke therapies based on race and sex in collaboration with Morehouse School of Medicine.  This research is important because of the high burden of stroke in the African American community and the “stroke belt” of the Southern US. He is also funded by the State of Texas Lone Star Stroke consortium, a network of the major Texas academic Neurology departments, to study ways of providing better access to stroke prevention in underserved, rural and resource poor urban regions.