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| INSIDE FLORIDA'S HIGH
TECH CORRIDOR |
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Email |
January 2007
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New Tampa Cancer Treatment Center Announced
for Area Near USF
In one of his last major announcements
in office, former Governor Jeb Bush approved a partnership between
The H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute and Merck
& Co. Inc. The partnership will result in a new cancer center
near the University of South Florida campus.
The center, to be named M2GEN, will aim to provide cancer
treatments tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup. The center
will also house tissue samples, which will be used to research
responses to various cancer treatments. Merck researchers are also
expected to use to samples to aid in the pharmaceutical company’s
drug development.
The for-profit center is expected to create 165 jobs in the next
five years, with an average salary of $80,000.
For more information, visit http://www.flgov.com/release/8444. |
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UF Uses Plant Virus to Develop
Environmentally Friendly Insecticide
A virus once
considered extremely hazardous to plants may now help farmers
eliminate plant-killing insects while protecting the
environment.
The green-friendly insecticide was developed when University of
Florida (UF) scientists genetically modified the tobacco mosaic
virus. Originally threatening the life of plants, the virus can now
protect them by starving the insects that feast off the leaves. The
genetically modified virus develops a chemical, known as TMOF, which
causes an insect to starve to death by preventing it from
withdrawing nutrients from food.
UF researchers say the green insecticide, which is harmless to
humans, offers many advantages for farmers, not the least of which
is that it only needs to be applied once a year due to the fact that
the virus reproduces on the plant.
UF currently has 14 patents on TMOF technologies.
For more information, visit http://news.ufl.edu/2006/12/12/virus. |
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Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy
at UCF
Graduates First Class
The Florida Interactive
Entertainment Academy (FIEA) of University of Central Florida’s
groundbreaking graduate-level video game development program has
graduated its first class. Twelve students earned Master’s degrees
from FIEA, which opened its doors in 2005 as part of an effort to
meet the increasingly advanced needs of the growing video game
industry.
FIEA’s current fall enrollment is 63 including 17 students
scheduled to graduate this semester.
For more information, visit http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=
article&id=0024004105bd60439010c0c76ce2f004098&mode=news. |
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FHTCC Celebrates 10th
Anniversary
More than 300 higher education, economic
development, community and business leaders attended FHTCC’s 10th
anniversary luncheon Dec. 4 at Orlando’s Rosen Shingle Creek Resort.
Among the highlights of the event were the keynote address delivered
by The Burnham Institute for Medical Research’s Dr. John Reed and
the awarding of scholarships to 14 outstanding students. |
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Betty Castor Joins
USF’s Dr. Kiran C.
Patel Center for Global Solutions
Former University of
South Florida (USF) President Betty Castor was recently named
executive director of USF’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Global
Solutions. The center, which creates plans for global problems, is a
unique research organizations that also develpps various initiatives
to assist countries with implementing the plan.
Castor’s first tasks will include creating an advisory board of
gloablization experts and leading the development of the Center’s
Global Schools project. As a partnership with the USF College of
Education and area high schools, the project aims to help students
succeed in the global economy by providing teachers worldwide with
educational tools to use in the classroom. A former Florida state
senator, Castor most recently worked as a secondary school teacher
in Uganda and for the Teachers for East Africa program. She has also
served as the President and CEO of the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards, the Hillsborough County
Commissioner and Chair and a teacher in Dade County Public Schools
in Florida. |
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USF College of Engineering
Partners with
Bethune-Cookman College
Students at the University of
South Florida (USF) and Bethune-Cookman College (BCC) now have the
opportunity to receive a dual bachelor’s degree through the unique
partnership, which awards students a degree in mathematics from BCC
and a degree in chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical or
industrial engineering from USF.
The 3 + 2 program requires that students attend BCC for three
years and the USF College of Engineering for two years. The program
gives BCC students an opportunity to obtain an engineering degree,
which isn’t available at the Daytona-based college.
or more information, visit http://usfnews.usf.edu/page.cfm?link=article&aid=1510. |
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Inaugural Brain Conference to be Held Jan.
19-21 at UCF
The First International Brain Conference at
the University of Central Florida (UCF) will feature lectures from
renowned professionals on the most current techniques and research
findings in neurological related research when it is held Jan. 19-21
at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. Participants
including academicians, physicians (neurologists and family
practitioners), nurses and allied health care professionals will
have formal and informal opportunities to discuss the latest
progress made in research on the “Aging Brain” and related
diseases.
The Florida High Tech Corridor Council is supporting the
conference by serving as an event sponsor.
For more information, visit http://www.brainconference.org. |
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techCAMP Arms Educators with Insight into
MS&T Sector
Fifty educators from Orange, Seminole,
Lake and Polk counties had something new to bring back to the
classroom after spending two days at a modeling, simulation and
training techCAMP last month. The program included presentations
each morning at the campus of the University of Central Florida’s
Rosen College of Hospitality Management followed by a tour of a
facility at one of the program’s sponsors. On the first day Walt
Disney World provided an excellent experience for the teachers when
they were given a tour and ride on the Body Wars exhibit as well as
a ride on Mission Space. On the second day of the program, the
teachers were hosted by the I/ITSEC conference and given the
opportunity to explore the many simulation exhibits on display.
One of the teachers responded to the evaluation survey: “What a
wonderful opportunity to experience.” When mentioning the activities
to non-participants, they responded, ‘How can I be involved in a
workshop such as this?’ Also, free of charge is terrific. When you
experience activities in a workshop that you will remember forever,
then you have impacted the participants in a way that 99 percent of
workshops are unable to accomplish. Thanks.” The majority of the
other responses were very similar. Other comments included “It was
just great” and “This has been a thorough, very full two days of
learning.”
The two-day program also provided information for teachers to
disseminate to students on available careers and the education
necessary to enter this high tech sector.
For information about attending or hosting a techCAMP, which can
be held on numerous sectors and throughout the Corridor, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/initiatives/techCAMP.html
or e-mail Vicki Morelli at vicki.morelli@floridahightech.com. |
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Accolades
AuthenTec and Creative Recycling
Systems
ITFlorida recognized two Corridor companies at its
annual Gala Awards. Melbourne-based AuthenTec was named the “Highest
Growth Company of the Year” and Tampa’s Creative Recycling Systems
Inc. was recognized for excellence in IT leadership.
USF Provost Renu Khator and Trustee Kiran
Patel
University of South Florida Provost and Senior Vice
President Renu Khator and Trustee and philanthropist Kiran Patel
have been named “Outstanding Americans by Choice” by the U.S.
Immigration and Citizenship Services. The award recognizes
naturalized citizens for significant contributions to their
community and adopted country.
Fantasy of Flight
The Florida
High Tech Corridor Council would like to thank Fantasy of Flight in
Polk City for hosting numerous FHTCC marketing committee meetings
including the upcoming Jan. 19 meeting. Corridor companies and
organizations looking for meeting space in the Lakeland area are
encouraged to contact Fantasy of Flight at (863) 984-3500 or http://www.FantasyofFlight.com.
Sunrise Elementary
School
Kissimmee’s Sunrise Elementary School has been
awarded a $2,500 Best Buy Tech Award and is a finalist for a $15,000
Tech Award |
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Calendar of Events
The following
events are taking place across the Corridor’s 23-county region or in
the surrounding areas:
Economic Forecast – Business Conditions
for 2007
Presented by: ACG and Florida Venture Forum
Present
Tuesday, Jan. 16, 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Centre Club
123
S. Westshore Blvd., 8th Floor, Tampa
Register online at http://www.acg.org/tampabay
or call Sherry at (813) 205-0776 for more information.
First International Brain Conference at
UCF
Friday, Jan. 19 though Sunday, Jan. 21
UCF’s
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
9907 Universal
Boulevard, Orlando
For more information, visit http://www.brainconference.org.
Financial Markets: Outlook
2007
Presented by: MIT Enterprise Forum,
Moderated
by: CNBC Anchor Liz Claman
Thursday, Jan. 25, 7 to 8:30
p.m.
For more information, visit http://enterpriseforum.mit.edu/
network/broadcasts/participate.html
or contact Greg Wymer at mitef@mit.edu or (617)
253-0015.
University of Central Florida
State of
the University Address
Presented by: UCF President John
Hitt
Friday, Feb. 2, 7:30 to 9 a.m.
UCF’s Florida
Interactive Entertainment Academy
500 West Livingston Street,
Orlando
For more information, call UCF Community Relations
at
(407) 235-3935.
Seminar: How to Leverage FHTCC Matching
Grant
and Federal SBIR/STTR Programs
Presented by:
FHTCC, Pasco Economic Development Council and Hernando County
Office of Economic Development
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 9 to 10:30
a.m.
Home Depot Conference Center at Safety Town,
New Port
Richey
For more information, contact Dick Streeter at rbstreeter@tampabay.rr.com.
Register
online at http://www.floridahightech.com/seminar.
Sixth Annual Partnership for
Compliance
Presented by: Partnership International, Inc.
with the participation of the U.S. Departments of Commerce, State,
OFAC, Homeland Security, Census Bureau, EU and U.S.
Trade.
Monday, Feb. 26 through Wednesday, Feb. 28
UCF’s
Orlando Campus, Pegasus Ballroom,
4000 Central Florida
Boulevard,
Building 52 (Student Union Building), Orlando
For
more information, contact Ailish M. Nic Phaidin at
(321)
952-2978 or Ailish@accessLinkInternational.com. |
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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. |
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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. | |