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| INSIDE FLORIDA'S HIGH
TECH CORRIDOR |
| Via
Email |
July 2006
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Two Executives Appointed to FHTCC’s Roster
of High Tech Leaders
The Florida High Tech Corridor
Council (FHTCC) has added two executives – Progress Energy Florida
President and CEO, Jeffrey Lyash, and Col. Walter H. Augustin, U.S.
Marines – to its roster of high tech leaders.
In their roles on the Council, Lyash and Augustin will use their
experience and expertise in emerging technologies to help FHTCC in
its mission to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and the
workforce to support those industries in the 23-county Corridor.
Lyash, who was appointed by Council co-chair and University of
South Florida President Dr. Judy Genshaft, has substantial
experience in energy delivery operations. Previously, Lyash served
as the director of site operations at the Brunswick Nuclear Plant
and vice president of transmission in energy Delivery in the
Carolinas. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical
engineering.
Based in Orlando, Fla., Augustin is the program manager for
training systems for the Marine Corps Systems Command. With
expertise in engineering and aviation, Augustin led the Integrated
Weapons Support Teams responsible for the material support of the
V-22 and AV-88 aircraft programs. He holds a Master of Science in
electrical engineering, with distinction, from the Naval
Postgraduate School. Augustin, who was appointed by Council co-chair
and University of Central Florida President Dr. John Hitt, will
serve the Council in an advisory role.
For more information about FHTCC, visit http://www.floridahightech.com. |
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USF Begins Construction on Center for
Advanced Healthcare
Construction has begun on a new
world-class health care facility at the University of South Florida
(USF). Students from medicine, nursing, physical therapy and public
health will combine health care knowledge and team-building skills
to provide unparalleled patient service at the Carol and Frank
Morsani Center for Advanced Healthcare.
The center is designed to draw quality, technology and service
together to craft a national model of excellence in healthcare that
will depart with USF students as they leave the university to
practice medicine as professionals.
For more information, visit
http://www.usfnews.usf.edu/printerview.cfm?link=article&aid=1324. |
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UCF Researchers Have Discovered Protein
that Could Prevent Heart Disease
Researchers at the
University of Central Florida (UCF) have discovered a gene known as
MCPIP that may hold the key to developing treatments to prevent
inflammation that causes heart disease.
The UCF study showed that levels of MCPIP, which leads to the
death of healthy cells, increased in mice as their blood vessels
became inflamed and heart disease began to develop. Treatments that
block the formation of MCPIP could prove effective for preventing
heart disease.
Researchers are currently studying the molecular changes that
occur as heart disease develops to better understand how to treat or
prevent the disease. This finding could lead to advances in treating
other inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and some forms of
cancer.
For more information, visit
http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?page=article&id=
00240041070ca5e3e010b382c8adf007ddc&mode=news. |
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UF Researchers Discover Bone Marrow
Cells
That May Restore Vision
Scientists at the
University of Florida (UF) have found evidence that the body
naturally replenishes small amounts of eye cells essential for
healthy vision. This finding may shatter the present notion that a
cell layer vital for eyesight, called the retinal pigment epithelium
(RPE), is a nonrenewable resource.
RPE forms the outer barrier of the retina and supports the
function of cells that receive light. Many diseases of the retina
are caused by damage to the RPE, such as age-related macular
degeneration, which affects more than 1.75 million people in the
United States.
Because findings suggest that the body does indeed restore these
cells in small amounts, scientists are now focusing on ways to
accelerate the natural healing process to treat sight robbing
injuries or diseases.
However, UF researchers also believe that it may be possible to
grow new cells in the retina to replace lost cells. RPE cells
appeared to naturally replenish in test animals by transplanting
bone marrow cells from normal male mice into albino females with two
different types of acute RPE injury.
Bone marrow contains stem cells, which have the ability to
identify injuries and possibly regenerate other cell types in the
body.
For more information, visit http://news.ufl.edu/2006/06/08/retinal-regen. |
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Harris Corp. Chairman Wins National Best
Chairman Award
Howard Lance, chairman, chief executive
officer and president of Melbourne-based Harris Corp., was named
Best Chairman at the 2006 American Business Awards. The award
highlights the progress that has been made over the past three to
four years at Harris Corp. and is a tribute to Lance’s
leadership.
The company noted that under Lance’s leadership, Harris has seen
increases in revenue and profitability. Additionally, Harris has
expanded its community outreach by completing two challenge grants
to benefit local youth and has donated more than $4 million to
Florida universities in order to prepare computer science and
engineering students for high tech jobs. Lance also served as the
2005 chairman of the local United Way campaign.
Finalists from the 1,500 entries were selected by business
professionals nationwide during preliminary judging earlier this
year, which included famed businessman Donald Trump.
During his acceptance speech, Lance declared the award as
recognition for the accomplishments of Harris’ 13,000 employees
worldwide.
For more information, visit http://www.stevieawards.com/aba. |
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UCF Simulation Institute Readies
Virtual
Training Suite Demo for Industry Bidders
The Office of
Naval Research (ONR) and the U.S. Marine Corps System Command,
Program Manager for Training Systems (PMTRASYS) sponsored a
technology demonstration at the University of Central Florida (UCF)
Research Park. The demonstration was in support of PMTRASYS’
upcoming solicitation for the Deployable Virtual Training
Environment (DVTE) system.
The event, hosted by Dr. Denise Nicholson of UCF’s Institute for
Simulation & Training (IST), demonstrated technologies that have
been developed under ONR’s Virtual Training and Environments (VIRTE)
program. IST, Lockheed Martin, Alion-BMH and the Naval Post Graduate
School (NPS) showed nearly 50 industry representatives a suite of
interconnected PCs that have been developed by ONR and are
applicable to the DVTE requirements. DVTE will allow individuals and
small units to train combined arms tasks, both in garrison and while
deployed.
For more information, contact Dr. Nicholson at dnichols@ist.ucf.edu. |
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U.S. Navy Selects Lockheed Martin to
Provide High Altitude Launch Capability to MK-54
Torpedoes
The U.S. Navy awarded Lockheed Martin a
12-month, $3 million contract for its High Altitude Anti-Submarine
Warfare Weapons Concept (HAAWC). The program will demonstrate
delivery of the MK-54 lightweight torpedo from a P-3C aircraft
operating at approximately 20,000 feet.
The HAAWC improves the delivery accuracy and shortens the
engagement time of the MK-54 torpedo. This new capability also
provides safe standoff, thus increasing the survivability of the
aircrew and the aircraft.
Because of the HAAWC’s ability to reduce stress on the P-3C
aircraft, including allowing it to stay at altitude to launch
HAAWC-equipped torpedoes, it will also be able to assist in reducing
fatigue on Navy aircraft.
For more information, visit
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/wms/findPage.do?
dsp=fec&ci=17728&rsbci=0&fti=111&ti=0&sc=400&prfr=true. |
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Medical Device Entrepreneurship &
Investors Conference
The Florida Medical Manufacturers’
Consortium is hosting the 2006 Medical Device Entrepreneurship &
Investors Conference, Aug. 3-4, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The conference is designed for professionals involved in venture
investments, new business development, research and development, and
corporate and general management who work in the medical device
industry, as well as government and educational institutions
affiliated with the medical device industry.
There will be numerous panels of expertise including: the Venture
Capitalist Panel, which will discuss trends and opportunities within
the medical device industry and speakers from the University of
Central Florida, University of South Florida and University of
Florida who will talk about research projects and technology
transfer partnership opportunities, entrepreneurship and small
company successes; and, the exploration of legal and accounting
issues faced by entrepreneurs.
For more information, visit http://www.flamedmfg.org. |
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STAR TEC Accelerator Adds Two
Tenants
STAR Technology Enterprise Center (STAR TEC), a
manufacturing and technology business accelerator located at the
Young-Rainey Science, Technology and Research (STAR) Center in
Largo, has admitted two new tenants, bringing the total number of
tenants to five.
Alaka’i Consulting & Engineering Inc., founded in Hawaii,
provides next-generation sensor and technology services for the
defense and security markets, while Homeland Intelligence
Technologies Inc. designs, develops and manufactures anti-terrorism
equipment.
For more information, visit http://www.startecflorida.com. |
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Accolades
Dr. Fredric Ham
Congratulations
to Dr. Fredric Ham, Florida Tech Harris Professor of Electrical
Engineering, who has been named to the editorial board of the
International Journal of Signal and Imaging Systems
Engineering. |
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Did You Know?
According to a
recently released AeA report, Florida was the second-fastest growing
state with high tech industry employment jumping by 6,700, for a
total of 265,500 in 2004, the most current state data available. The
only state to add more tech jobs was Virginia.
For more information, visit
http://www.aeanet.org/pressroom/prjj_cs2006_florida.asp. |
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Calendar of Events
The following
events are taking place across the Corridor’s 23-county region or in
the surrounding area:
INCOSE International Symposium
2006
Systems Engineering: Shining Light on the Tough
Issues
Presented by: Orlando, Central Florida
and
Space Coast Chapters
Sunday, July 9 – Thursday, July
13
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, Orlando, Fla.
For
event information, visit http://www.incose.org/symp2006/index.php.
SECME and University of South Florida
Education Showcase and Recruiting Fair
Presented by:
PITSCO, Leaders in Education
Friday, July 14, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
and
Saturday, July 15, noon – 4 p.m.
University of South
Florida Sun Dome,
4202 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, Fla.
For event
information, call (770) 978-9840.
7th – 12th Graders Dream Builders Summer
Camps...
A summer camp based on engineering
and
construction activities
Presented by:
Florida Tech Civil Engineering
July 17-21 and July
24-28
Florida Tech – Melbourne campus, Melbourne, Fla.
For
event information, visit http://coe.fit.edu/civil/summercamp.
Speed Networking for Business
Success
Presented by: TiE Florida and the University of
Central Florida Technology Incubator
Wednesday, July 19, 6:30-9
p.m.
The Disney SBA National Entrepreneur Center,
Downtown
Orlando, Fla.
For event information, visit http://www.tieflorida.com/#march8.
Freescale Technology
Forum
Presented by: FTF Americas
Thursday, July 24 –
Sunday, July 27
JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Conference Center,
Grande Lakes, Orlando, Fla.
For event information, visit http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/
site/overview.jsp?nodeId=05257790366009.
Doing Business in China...
A
Business Development Seminar
Presented by: Florida
Small Business Development Center at Brevard Community College and
the Defense Economic Transition Center
Thursday, July 27, 1-4
p.m.
Brevard Community College, Melbourne Campus,
Bldg. 10,
Room 112A
For event information, contact Sandy Pfrimmer at pfrimmers@brevardcc.edu
or Vicky Peake at peakev@brevardcc.edu.
NEC Entrepreneur Fair to Celebrate 3rd
Anniversary
Presented by: Disney/SBA National
Entrepreneur Center
Tuesday, Aug. 1
Disney/SBA National
Entrepreneur Center
One Landmark Center, 315 E. Robinson St.,
Ste. 100, Orlando, Fla.
For event information, visit http://www.floridanec.org/.
2006 Medical Device Entrepreneurship
&
Investors Conference
Presented by: Florida
Medical Manufacturers’ Consortium
Thursday, Aug. 3 – Friday,
Aug. 4
St. Petersburg Hilton, Carillon Business Park
950
Lake Carillon Drive, St. Petersburg, Fla.
For event
information, visit http://www.FlaMedMfg.org.
5th Annual Summer Tech
Jam
Presented by: Tampa Bay Technology
Forum
Thursday, Aug. 17, 6 – 10 p.m.
Splitsville,
Channelside, Tampa
For event information, visit http://www.tbtf.org.
Starting an Angel
Network
Presented by: Ewing Marion Kauffman
Foundation
Monday, Aug. 28
Central Florida Research Park,
Partnership 2 Building, Orlando, Fla.
For event information,
contact Kirstie Chadwick at kchadwick@bus.ucf.edu.
Business of Biotech
Presented
by: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute in
partnership with Enterprise Florida, Greater Tampa Chamber of
Commerce, Pinellas County Economic Development, Tampa Bay
Partnership and University of South Florida Research
Foundation
Thursday, Sept. 7, 8 a.m. – noon
Vincent A.
Stabile Research Building, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center &
Research Institute,12902 Magnolia Drive,
Tampa, Fla.
For
event information, call (813) 745-1346. |
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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. | |