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| INSIDE FLORIDA'S HIGH TECH CORRIDOR |
| Via Email |
February 2006
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Gov. Bush Visits USF Research Park to Propose
Economic Development Plan
Governor Jeb Bush visited the University of South Florida
Research Park on Jan. 30 to launch a plan to diversify and build Florida’s
innovation economy. The plan calls for a state investment of $630 million
to be used to create high-tech jobs and assist in Florida’s technological
growth.
The Governor proposed that $250 million be set aside for the
Florida Innovation Incentive Fund, $200 million for the continued
funds of the 21st Century Technology, Research and Scholarship
Enhancement Act, $75 million in tax credits for the Florida
Capital Formation Program and $55 million to the state’s
space and aeronautics industry. An additional $50 million would
go to Florida’s Quick Action Closing Fund, which assists
businesses willing to relocate their high-paying jobs to Florida.
For additional information, visit http://www.myflorida.com/myflorida/eogadmin/showPress.jsp?press_id=7141. |
UCF
Offers Excellence in Entrepreneurship Certificate Course
The University of Central Florida (UCF) Technology Incubator
and UCF College of Business Administration are offering an intense
short course that explores the realities of planning and starting
a company.
The course will be presented by the UCF Technology Incubator
and UCF College of Business Administration every Tuesday and
Thursday, from Feb. 21 through March 16, at the Disney/SBA
National Entrepreneur Center in downtown Orlando.
With seven sessions ranging from “Developing Successful
Business Ideas” to “Business Presentations,” this
innovative program taught by experienced entrepreneurs and
faculty from UCF will help clarify business concepts by walking
through the steps of creating a business and introducing resources
and advisors that provide invaluable support in laying the
foundation for a successful company.
For additional information and to register, visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/events/2005Events/EIE_Feb06.html. |
UF Study Shows Brazilian Berry Destroys Cancer Cells
A recent study conducted by the University of Florida (UF)
found that acai (ah-SAH’-ee), a Brazilian berry, contains antioxidants
that destroyed cultured human cancer cells.
The study indicated that extracts from acai berries, often found
in popular health foods, triggered a self-destruct response in
up to 86 percent of leukemia cells tested. Though it is unknown
whether the berries are able to prevent leukemia in people, researchers
believe that good activity against cancer cells in the model
may result in beneficial effects in the human body.
UF, one of the first institutions outside Brazil to study acai
berries, is scheduled to conduct a study in 2006 investigating
the effects of acai’s antioxidants on healthy human subjects.
For additional information, visit http://news.ufl.edu/2006/01/12/berries.
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USF Researchers
Discover Technology with HIV/AIDS Fighting Agents
University of South Florida (USF) researchers Kenneth Ugen,
Steven Specter, Susan Nyland and Chuanhai Cao have discovered
technology shown to have definitive therapeutic value against
HIV/AIDS. The discovery is important because AIDS patients being
treated with one or more anti-HIV drug typically develop resistance,
thus new treatments must constantly be developed.
Naloxone hydrochloride [Narcan™], normally used for
treating drug abuse, can also be used against HIV/AIDS with
the same effectiveness as other known anti-HIV drugs. Experiments
using the drug inhibited reverse transcriptase, therefore preventing
infection of the body’s cells.
These procedures also showed that treatment of infected cells
with naloxone significantly reduced the amount of coat protein,
meaning a reduction in the HIV virus and therefore demonstrating
the effectiveness of the drug as treatment for HIV/AIDS.
USF is currently seeking drug manufacturing partners to license
this technology to develop a new drug treatment for HIV/AIDS.
For additional information, visit http://www.research.usf.edu/absolutenm/
templates/newro.asp?articleid=781 &zoneid=5. |
FHTCC Adds EA’s
Steve Chiang to Council
The Florida High Tech Corridor Council welcomes Steve Chiang
as the newest member of the Council team. As General Manager
and Studio Vice President of Electronic Arts Tiburon, Chiang
is responsible for the management of EA’s Orlando studio,
which is responsible for creating some of the best selling
titles in the industry, including Madden NFL Football, NCAA
Football, NFL STREET and NASCAR titles. His responsibility
includes overseeing game design, programming, artwork, audio,
research and development, quality assurance, and strategy
for top EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS BIG and EA GAMES branded titles.
Chiang was appointed to the Council by University of Central
Florida President John Hitt. |
FHTCC
Directory Published The newest edition of the Florida
High Tech Corridor
Council’s official directory, florida.HIGH.TECH 2006, has
been published. The directory features compelling information
about the Corridor and the thriving high-tech businesses
and world-class research universities that reside within.
The information
in the 113-page directory includes:
- Sector-by-sector reports regarding each of the Corridor’s
seven key technology sectors (Agritechnology, Aviation & Aerospace,
Information Technology, Life Sciences & Medical Technologies,
Microelectronics & Nanotechnology, Modeling, Simulation & Training,
and Optics & Photonics);
- A summary of FHTCC’s annual
report, including a year in review, Corridor program investments
and funded research
projects by sector;
- Magazine-style features and profiles that put human faces
to the Corridor’s technology leaders;
- Corridor and university
statistics; and,
- A directory of nearly 3,000 Corridor technology
companies.
To order a copy of florida.HIGH.TECH 2006, contact publisher
Nancy Howe at nhowe@maddux.com or (727) 823-4394. |
Tampa
Bay Establishes Educational Initiative
Compliments to the Tampa Bay Partnership for improving
the educational environment for children in the Tampa Bay area.
With the region’s industrious focus on growth, the Tampa
Bay Partnership’s educational initiative pays special attention
to the public school system, providing the tools and inspiration
needed to build excellent academic foundations for tomorrow’s
leaders.
Implementing programs such as the A+ Plan for Education, a program designed
to focus on each individual child and Just Read, Florida, which prepares
students to read at or above grade level, to name a few, Tampa Bay Partnership’s
initiative serves as a prime example of Florida High Tech Corridor workforce
development.
For additional information, visit http://tampabay.org. |
Orlando National
Bank Offers Remote Deposit
Orlando National Bank (ONB) now offers Remote Deposit,
a technologically advanced system allowing commercial customers
to remotely scan and make deposits from their place of business.
With the addition of this forefront technology, ONB is one of
the only community banks in the United States to offer this service.
For additional information, visit http://www.libertynationalbank.com/home03.html. |
Northrop Grumman-Protonex
Team
Selected to Design Fuel-Cell System
Northrop Grumman, joined with Protonex Technology Corporation,
has been selected by the U.S. Air Force to design and develop a new energy-efficient,
lightweight fuel-cell system to power various targeting, communications
and other sensor equipment used by airmen on the battlefield.
Under a one-year contract, the team will develop and test a fuel
cell-based system featuring advanced battery technology and an intelligent
power manager, which will provide continuous, long-duration power.
Northrop Grumman’s laser systems business unit in Apopka will
provide overall program management, and will ensure the fuel-cell-based
power pack is designed to meet the strict standards required by the
military, while Protonex will develop and test the system.
Northrop Grumman designs, develops and produces tactical laser rangefinders
and designators for the U.S. Armed Forces and foreign militaries.
Protonex, based in Southborough, Massachusetts, develops and manufactures
the smallest, lightest and highest performing fuel-cell systems for
portable power applications in the 10 to 500 watt range.
For additional information, visit http://www.irconnect.com/noc/pages/news_printer.html?d=91901&print=1.
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Polk
Community College Establishes
2+2 Wireless Technology Degree
Program
Polk Community College (PCC) is now offering a 2+2 degree
program in wireless technology. The program, funded by the Florida
High Tech Corridor Council, was established in order to educate,
train and prepare a workforce for technological careers that are
in demand by employers. The wireless technology degree program,
as all programs offered at PCC, is a targeting occupation degree,
meaning that PCC partners with area businesses to produce highly
skilled potential employees for high wage jobs.
Students in the wireless technology track have the option to further
their education in this area at a four-year university upon completion
of the two-year program at PCC. The goal of PCC and the 2+2 program
is to create access to a university if a student chooses to pursue
a bachelor’s degree.
PCC is unique in the fact that it fosters a charter high school.
Students enrolled in this school are introduced to the wireless program
and have the opportunity to take courses in the track to earn credit
toward their associate’s degree while completing their high
school education; therefore creating an educational path for students
to accelerate more quickly into the program upon high school graduation.
For additional information, visit http://www.polk.edu.
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CVBs and EDOs Partner Through FHTCC
Program
Economic Development Organizations throughout the Corridor
have launched a partnership with area Convention & Visitor
Bureaus to help share insights and encourage the achievement of
mutual goals within the 23-county corridor.
The purpose of the partnership is to attract technology-related
conferences, conventions and meetings to the area, therefore
creating opportunities for field trips to our universities,
research parks and businesses that demonstrate the success
housed within the Corridor.
For additional information, contact Mike Evans at mikeevans@tampabay.rr.com. |
Florida Tech Transfer
to be Held May 22-23
The Florida High Tech Corridor Council, along with Florida
Trend’s Research Florida, is sponsoring the 3rd annual Florida
High Tech Transfer Conference at The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota,
May 22-23. The conference is a high value meeting between university
researchers, tech transfer professionals and industry executives.
This year’s conference is scheduled in conjunction
with the 9th PHARLEX® pharma license exchange, which
will be held at The Ritz-Carlton on May 24-25. PHARLEX
arranges one-to-one partnering meetings between senior
level decision-makers in biotech and pharmaceutical firms
around the world.
A Florida High Tech Corridor Council sponsored joint reception
will formally connect PHARLEX’s industry executives
with the Florida Tech Transfer Conference’s university
professionals and researchers, and Florida’s pharma
and biotech community.
For more information, visit http://flatechtransfer.org. |
Jabil Circuit and Carl Zeiss Create
Joint Venture
Jabil Circuit, an electronic product solutions company in
St. Petersburg, and Carl Zeiss, a leading international group of
companies operating worldwide in the optical and opto-electronic
industry, created a joint venture on Jan. 4.
Carl Zeiss will provide digital light processing (DLP)
know-how to the partnership. As a result, Jabil will
be able to offer world-leading optical module capability
to its rapidly growing Display Technology business unit.
For additional information, visit http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/
stories/2006/01/02/daily28.html?t=printable. |
Talented High-Tech Employees Available
to Corridor Companies
In a move designed to better position itself to develop the
next generation of video games, Electronic Arts Tiburon recently
restructured its Orlando-based workforce. While the studio’s
long-term growth targets will not be affected – hiring continues
at the studio – the video game developer laid off less than
five percent of its employees. As part of its assistance to affected
employees, Electronic Arts Tiburon is working with its partners
in the region to provide contact and networking opportunities.
Corridor technology companies who are looking for highly talented
artists, producers (game designers), and software engineers are
encouraged to contact Electronic Arts Tiburon’s Shawne Nix
at (407) 386-5845 or snix@ea.com to inquire about the availability
and skills of affected employees. |
FHTCC Matching Grants Research Program
As a reminder, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC)
implements a Matching Grants Research Program in order
to encourage research efforts within its 23-county region.
This program is available to any company within the
region conducting research to advance the high-tech industry.
Companies interested in this opportunity must apply through
one of the Corridor’s three partner universities
and provide at least a 2-to-1 funding (cash or in-kind)
match.
Since its inception in 1996, the Council has partnered
with more than 255 companies on more than 615 research
projects, contributing more than $43 million – which
has been matched by $90 million in corporate funds for
a total of $133 million. This effort not only supplies
the companies with research funds, but also gives undergraduate,
graduate, doctoral students and research assistants as
well as faculty members of the universities the opportunity
to work alongside scientists and engineers from a variety
of companies.
For additional information regarding the Matching Grants
Research Program, visit http://floridahightech.com.
To apply for a matching research grant, contact:
University of Central Florida
Dr. Tom O’Neal, Associate VP for Research
(407) 823-3778
http://www.research.ucf.edu/sponsoredprograms/
fundingopportunities/ucf_programs.html.
University of South Florida
Rod Casto, Ph.D.
(813) 974-1082
University of Florida
Erik Sander
(352) 392-6000
http://www.fhtcc.ufl.edu. |
| Accolades
Howard Lance
Howard Lance, chairman, president and chief executive of
Harris Corp., was awarded the Florida’s High-Tech Executive
of the Year award at the 12th Annual Abacus Awards presented
by Washington D.C.-based AeA. The award is given to high tech
executives and educators who have “taken steps to advance
the business of technology in Florida.” Last year, Melbourne-based
Harris Corp. gave more than $4 million to Florida universities
in an effort to grow the state’s high tech workforce,
while adding nearly 1,000 jobs to the local economy.
Jose L. Zayas-Castro
Jose Zayas-Castro, professor and chair of industrial and
management systems engineering at the University of South
Florida (USF), has received the prestigious Bernard M.
Gordon Prize. This award, presented by the National Academy
of Engineers, is one of the highest honors bestowed annually
by the organization and recognizes new modalities and experiments
in education that develop effective engineering leaders.
Dr. Jaydeep Mukherjee
Dr. Jaydeep Mukherjee, electrical engineering professor
at the University of Central Florida College of Engineering & Computer
Science, has been elected to serve on two national boards;
the Executive Committee of the NASA National Space Grant Directors
and the Space Grant Foundation.
Dr. Timothy Kotnour
NASA has awarded Dr. Timothy Kotnour, industrial engineering
and management systems professor at the University of Central
Florida, with a public service medal for his contributions
to the mission of NASA and in recognition of his efforts to
evolve the Kennedy Space Center.
Ross Andel and James Mortimer
Congratulations to University of South Florida School of
Aging researchers Ross Andel and James Mortimer, who were published
in the September issue of the Journal of Gerontology: Psychological
Sciences. Andel and Mortimer discussed their findings that
suggested that engaging in complex work may reduce the risk
of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Theresa Schefstad
Congratulations Theresa Schefstad, president, CEO and founding
director of Raymond James Bank, for being named one of the
25 most powerful women in banking by U.S. Banker magazine. |
Did You Know?
Did you know that UCF will be the first college to offer
an on site Ph.D. program at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center?
The program will offer a Ph.D. in Systems Engineering and Integration
in fall 2006.
For additional information, visit http://special.cecs.ucf.edu/
newsletter_january_2006/newsletter_january_2006.htm#Reducing. |
Calendar of Events
The following events are taking place across the Corridor’s
23-county region or in the surrounding area:
Excellence in Entrepreneurship Certificate Course
Presented by: UCF Technology Incubator and UCF College
of Business Administration
Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 21 – March 16
Disney/SBA National Entrepreneur Center in Downtown Orlando
For event information or to register, visit http://www.incubator.ucf.edu/events/2005Events/EIE_Feb06.html.
*ENROLLMENT IS LIMITED
Fast & Furious Partnering
Conference
Presented by: The Tampa Bay Technology Forum
Thursday, March 2, 1:30 - 6 p.m.
The Lakeland Center
For event information, visit
http://www.tbtf.org/page.cfm?link=event&eid=C1B383E9-A071-09F7-FBED4A8B6AA0D72Am.
AdvaMed Device and Diagnostic Conference
Presented by: Advanced Medical Technology Association
Wednesday, March 1 – Saturday, March 4
Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort in Naples, Fla.
For event information, visit http://www.advamed.org/2006annualmeeting.
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Events Outside the Corridor
BioFlorida’s 8th Annual
Conference, Building the Vision:
From Cornerstone to Capstone
Presented by: BioFlorida
Tuesday, February 21 – Wednesday, February 22
West Palm Beach Marriott
For event information or to register, visit http://bioflorida.com/Annual_Conference.
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Inside Florida’s
High Tech Corridor is published by the Florida High Tech Corridor
Council, Inc. (FHTCC) and its economic development partners.
The FHTCC is an initiative of the University of Central Florida
(http://www.ucf.edu), the University of South Florida (http://www.usf.edu)
and the University of Florida (http://www.ufl.edu). For more information
visit our Web site at (http://www.floridahightech.com), or contact
one of the region’s economic development partners listed
at http://www.floridahightech.com/linkslibrary/economic_dev_org.htm. |
Florida High Tech Corridor Link Library
For a comprehensive list of FHTCC University Partners;
Community Colleges; Economic Development Organizations; Technology
Groups & Programs; Workforce Boards & Organizations;
Technology Incubators & Venture Capital Organizations; and,
Industry Organizations visit the Florida High Tech Corridor
link library at http://www.floridahightech.com/linkslibrary/. |
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