florida.HIGH.TECH 2008 Introduces 10 "Faces of Technology"
FHTCC and Maddux Business Report have released the magazine florida.HIGH.TECH 2008, the region's most in-depth guide to Florida's high tech community. florida.HIGH.TECH 2008 features a variety of compelling stories about high tech industry in the Corridor, including a first-ever feature highlighting 10 "Faces of Technology," hands-on technologists who are driving innovation and entrepreneurship in a variety of industry sectors.

"Our goal was to put a face on the extraordinarily diverse sectors of high tech industry simmering away in Florida's High Tech Corridor," said FHTCC President Randy Berridge. "These fascinating men and women are making technological breakthroughs with the potential to truly change entire industries, if not the world. We are so proud that they call Florida's High Tech Corridor home, and we salute their passion and commitment."

The magazine also looks at six groundbreaking examples of numerous projects taking place at the Corridor's world-class research universities from designing vehicles that drive themselves, to cultivating life-saving drugs from marine compounds. Additional features include an overview of the Corridor's successful incubator network, statistical analysis of industry sectors thriving across the region and a listing of trade and professional associations.

Career Expo Builds on Success of First Year by Hosting More Top Universities Seeking Opportunities for their Graduates at Florida High Tech Corridor Companies in '08
Career center directors (CCDs) from 75 of the nation's top universities visited the Florida High Tech Corridor Feb. 27-29 to explore high tech job opportunities available for their students within the 23-county region.

Nearly half of U.S. News & World Report's top 35 universities participated in the second annual event, Career Expo '08, held at the Tampa Convention Center, including MIT, Princeton, NYU, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Penn, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon and Notre Dame. The CCDs met individually with more than 65 high tech hiring entities, including workforce boards, public school districts and companies from throughout the Corridor.

"The eagerness of so many world-renowned universities to return to the Florida High Tech Corridor to participate in this event is a testament to the success of our region's attractive workforce initiatives and growing tech industry," said Randy Berridge, president of the sponsoring Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC). "Dozens of Corridor employers were on hand to talk to these university career center directors about their growing needs for well-educated personnel."

Initial feedback from the event was extremely positive, reported Owen Wentworth, Director of the FHTCC Career Expo. "The CCDs enjoyed this year's event and found it very beneficial," said Wentworth. "After seeing what is available for their students in the Corridor, it is highly likely that they will return next year to continue building a hiring pipeline in our region."

Career Expo was established last year as an initiative of FHTCC to attract, retain and grow high tech industry in Florida's 23-county High Tech Corridor. This year's participating companies included Lockheed Martin, Electronic Arts, Fiserv, SAIC, Enporion, Walt Disney Imagineering, Progress Energy, Publix, FARO Technologies and more than 60 others, as well as representatives from county government and school systems.

"By showing career center directors the growth and diversity of high tech employers and the amazing research taking place here, we hope that the Corridor will be one of the places they recommend to their students seeking high tech jobs," said Berridge.

UCF Technique Helps to Quickly Identify Bacterial Infection
Developing a faster way to fight diseases, University of Central Florida (UCF) chemist J. Manuel Perez created a process that will help physicians to identify bacterial infections and treat patients in a matter of hours. This novel method will give research institutes and pharmaceutical companies a faster and less expensive way to develop new antibiotics to battle epidemics and super bugs.

Funded in part by the National Institutes of Health, Perez conducted his research in the Nanoscience Technology Center at UCF with the help of the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences and Chemistry Department. Using tiny gold particles and proteins, the technique utilizes nanotechnology to test only a small strain of bacteria, making it possible to test hundreds of samples at once. The process has also been shown to be as accurate as the normal, more prolonged test.

USF Robotic Testing Facility Breaks Ground
The University of South Florida (USF) recently broke ground on the future site of the National Testbed for Safety, Security and Rescue Technologies, a new campus facility that will provide a simulated work area for robot-aided rescue testing. Able to work through zero-visibility and withstand toxic gases, robots used in these situations provide a safe alternative to endangering the lives of rescue workers in hazardous environments.

USF computer science and engineering professor Robin Murphy has utilized this type of robot technology in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks of 9/11 and in the 2007 Crandall Canyon mine collapse in Utah. The new testbed facility will duplicate unsafe field conditions to help train rescue workers on using the robots, their sensors and the networks used to power them. Construction is set to begin in March 2008, with a completion date set for December. USF and the U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center have invested more than $2 million in a partnership to create the facility and will continue to work together after its completion.

UF Geneticists Uncover Possible Link to Parkinson's
Researchers in the University of Florida's Genetic Institute recently discovered a connection between a missing chemical compound on a protein in the brain and Parkinson's disease. Known as alpha-synuclein, this certain brain protein is believed to serve as a communicator between brain cells. Nicholas Muzyczka, a professor of molecular genetics and microbiology in the College of Medicine, studied the role of alpha-synuclein's function in the brain and how its mutated form can cause abnormalities. Doctors are hopeful that this discovery will lead the way to more research involving treatments that can address this chemical compound.

Pinellas County Job Corps Center Contributes to Local Economy
Federally funded through $40 million in grants, construction for the Pinellas County Job Corps Center is expected to begin soon for a completion by the end of summer 2009. Nearly 300 students will be able to live at the Center while obtaining academic and career technical training, as well as high school and General Equivalency Diplomas. Creating around 100 permanent jobs for faculty and staff once fully operational, the Pinellas County Job Corps Center Campus will contribute more than $7 million to the local economy.

The Job Corps project is made possible by partnerships with several regional and economic development organizations including Pinellas County, City of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg College, WorkNet Pinellas, Pinellas County School Board and Pinellas Technical Education Centers, BayCare Health System and Brighthouse Networks.

UCF Opens Incubator in Seminole County
The University of Central Florida (UCF) recently opened the doors to the Seminole County incubator, a 10,000-square-foot facility in the Vistawilla Office Center on State Road 434 in Winter Springs. The facility will provide office space for companies to grow exponentially, as well as to participate in mentoring, training, educational and networking opportunities. The new incubator is funded by Seminole County, which is contributing $900,000 over three years. In partnership with UCF and Seminole County, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council will also contribute $25,000 each year. Companies that have been accepted into the incubator include: Datanautix, Halogen Guides, Neulio, NR Electronics, Spectrum Bridge, USSS and Patent Guild. Tom O'Neal, associate vice president for research with the University of Central Florida and director of its incubator program, says he plans to fill the remaining 13 slots within the next year.

For more information, visit http://www.ucf.edu.

FHTCC Helps Florida Photonics Cluster Regain Non-Profit Status
With assistance from the Florida High Tech Corridor Council, the Florida Photonics Cluster (FPC) has been approved by the IRS for reinstatement as a 501 c(6) not-for-profit organization. As a member organization designed to provide a voice for its industry in the state, the FPC is comprised of high tech companies and research institutions specializing in Optics and Photonics.

"We can't thank the Florida High Tech Corridor Council enough for all of its support throughout the years," said Alex Fong, president of the Florida Photonics Cluster. "Through the efforts and contributions of Randy Berridge and the Florida High Tech Corridor Council we've been able to continue to focus our efforts on our core mission of fostering the growth of Florida's optics and photonics industry while accomplishing the key administrative objective of getting reinstated as a 501 (c)(6) organization."

Harris Corporation Unveils New Technology
Harris Corporation demonstrated in February for the first time its new technology called ‘Remote Digital Imagery Display and Manipulation for Pathology Applications' at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) annual conference and exhibition in Orlando.

The technology was originally designed for the U.S. Intelligence Community and civilian agencies in order to allow multiple pathologists to be able to view a slide, from anywhere that they connect to a network, as if the slide were right under their own microscope. This technology significantly accelerates the diagnostic process as well as ensures that the samples are not lost.

TBTF Foundation in Search of Corporate Partners
The Tampa Bay Technology Forum Foundation is the charitable branch of the TBTF, and over the past five years has opened 20 computer labs for local Boys & Girls Clubs. In 2008 the Foundation, in partnership with Hillsborough County Education Foundation and the Pinellas Education Foundation, is devoted to creating scholarships for at-risk youth who have an interest in pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers (STEM).

The goal is to establish between 20 and 40 scholarships for students attending technical schools in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. The scholarships will be set up through the Florida Pre-Paid Scholarship program, which matches each contributor dollar-for-dollar by the state of Florida.

Currently the Foundation is in search of corporate partners willing to contribute funds to help the Foundation reach their goal of $100,000 to help give children that otherwise would not have gone to college the opportunity for a sophisticated degree.

Space Florida Sponsors Teacher and Student Research
Space Florida launched its first microgravity research flight. The unattended videotaped research flight reached 22 teachers, as well as, education observers, education coaches and students throughout 12 counties. This research will help to educate teachers and students on the real-world processes that NASA scientists use to prepare scientific research for shuttle missions and on board the International Space Station.

Through the sponsorship by Space Florida, the teachers will hold lessons to study the research that was conducted on the inaugural microgravity flight. The purpose for the sponsorship is not just for the research but also to endorse science, technology, engineering and math education, in addition to spawning new interests in space for students.

Accolades

NASA Funds UF Aviation Research
NASA has awarded the University of Florida approximately $220,000 from its Aviation Safety Program. The award money will be used by scientists and engineers to focus on developing principles, concepts, tools, methods and technologies to address "Integrated Probabilistic Diagnosis and Prognosis for Airframe Structural Health Management."

UCF Faculty Receive Honors
Society of Photographic Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) has recognized personnel at the University of Central Florida's Center for Research and Education of Optical Lasers with multiple prestigious awards. M.J. Soileau, vice president of the Office of Research and Commercialization won the 2008 Gold Medal Award of the SPIE, the highest honor; researcher Leon Glebov was awarded the Dennis Gabor Award, for his work in wavefront technologies; and professor Shin-Tson Wu was honored with the G.G. Stokes Award for work in optical polarization.

Lockheed Martin Funds YMCA Tech Program
Donating $250,000, Lockheed Martin will create a new technology center and mentoring program at the South Orlando Family Center, part of the Central Florida YMCA. The mentor program will provide mentoring through volunteer math and science teachers from Oak Ridge High School, as well as employees of Lockheed Martin.

Did You Know?
According to the 2008 Quality Counts: Tapping into Teaching report, compiled by Education Week, Florida has moved from 31st to 14th place. The report rates education in the all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Calendar of Events
The following events are taking place across the Corridor's 23-county region or in the surrounding area:

Orlando Section Executive Committee Meeting
Presented by: IEEE
Monday, March 10
Orlando Campus of DeVry University at Millenia Mall
Room 106, 4000 Millenia Blvd. Orlando, FL 32839
For event information, visit http://ewh.ieee.org/r3/orlando/#ExCom.

Florida Innovation Showcase 2008
Presented by: The Florida Research Consortium
Wednesday, March 19 and Thursday, March 20
Orlando World Center Marriott
8701 World Center Drive, Orlando
For event information, visit http://www.FLinnovation.org.

Tampa Tech-Security Conference
Presented by: Tampa Bay Technology Forum
Thursday, March 20
The Westin Tampa Harbour Island
725 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa
For event information, visit http://www.tbtf.org

Entrepreneurship Conference:
Mapping Your Entrepreneurial Success
Presented by: STAR TEC Technology and
Manufacturing Accelerator
Wednesday, March 26 and Thursday, March 27
Hilton Carillon Park Hotel in St. Petersburg
For event information, visit http://www.startecflorida.com.

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/resources/economicDevOrgs.html.

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/resources/linksLibrary.html.

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