|
| INSIDE FLORIDA'S HIGH TECH
CORRIDOR |
| Via Email |
October 2007 |
UF to Develop “Pure Air” Filtration
System Prototype
Working together with St. Petersburg-based World Energy Solutions
Inc., scientists from the University of Florida (UF) have entered
a research agreement to design "pure air" filtration
systems.
Along with a team of researchers, Dr. David Mazyck, an assistant
professor of environmental engineering sciences, will develop
a prototype for in-home use of the system. Designed for those
who suffer from asthma and allergies, it aims to filter normally
occurring dust and smoke particles in the air. The filtration
system could also become a tool in bioterrorism protection as
early prototypes have been shown to remove 99 percent of all
targeted biological and chemical contaminants in the air.
For more information, visit
http://www.worldenergysolutionsinc.com/products/pure-air.
|
UCF Hires First National
Academy of Engineering Scientist
The University of Central Florida (UCF) recently hired its first
National Academy of Engineering member, Dr. Marwan Simaan. Beginning
next Spring, Dr. Simaan will serve as the Florida Chair and
a distinguished professor in electrical engineering and computer
science.
Election to the academy is one of the highest professional
distinctions an engineer can achieve. Out of an estimated 2
million practicing engineers in the country, the National Academy
of Engineering boasts 2,000 industry-nominated members. Only
7 percent of the academy’s members are located in the
South Atlantic region, which includes Florida.
Previously an engineering professor at the University of Pittsburgh,
Dr. Simaan brings his extensive research strengths in the areas
of control and signal processing to UCF. One of his many research
endeavors includes a project to develop systems that aid the
heart in pumping blood for patients awaiting organ transplants.
For more information, visit http://news.ucf.edu/UCFnews/index?
page=article&id=002400412e120743011469b630a7007b28.
|
USF Receives $1.3M from National Institutes
of Health to Fight AIDS in India
The University of South Florida (USF) recently received a $1.36
million research grant from the National Institutes of Health
to reduce the spread of AIDS in India.
The grant will create a training program for physicians, scientists,
nurses and other health professionals at Vadodara Medical College
in Gujarat, India, to learn the many aspects of detecting, treating
and preventing HIV and AIDS among India’s adolescent population.
Worldwide, India ranks second only to South Africa in the number
of HIV and AIDS cases.
For more information, visit
http://hscweb3.hsc.usf.edu/health/now/?p=234.
|
Online Registration
for Career Expo ’08 Now Available
Florida High Tech Corridor companies interested in recruiting
high tech talent can now register for Career Expo ’08
online. Career Expo ’08 is a special initiative of the
Florida High Tech Corridor Council (FHTCC) and its economic
development, higher education, workforce board and governmental
partners designed to introduce the Corridor’s high tech
employers to career center directors (CCDs) from many of the
nation’s top universities. The event will take place Feb.
28 and 29, at the Tampa Convention Center.
In addition to online registration, the official Career Expo
’08 Web site – http://www.FloridaHighTech.com/CareerExpo
– features detailed information about the event including
itinerary, FAQ, past participating companies and universities,
and tips for success.
As a primary source of career advice for tens of thousands
of educated, highly skilled graduates each year, the invited
CCDs can play an integral role in attracting the Corridor’s
high tech workforce. By showing CCDs the high tech career opportunities
the Corridor provides, FHTCC hopes the Corridor will be one
of the first places they recommend to students looking to start
high tech careers.
Participating companies will have the opportunity to meet with
attending CCDs face-to-face in both formal and informal settings
as well as having their company name and contact information
included in the Career Expo ’08 directory.
Companies interested in sponsoring Career Expo ’08 are
encouraged to contact Owen Wentworth at owentworth@cfl.rr.com,
or (407) 399-7286.
For more information, visit http://www.FloridaHighTech.com/CareerExpo.
|
PCC President Joins FHTCC Roster of Leaders
Dr. Eileen Holden, the newly inaugurated president of Polk Community
College, has been appointed to serve on the Florida High Tech
Corridor Council.
Dr. Judy Genshaft, Council co-chair and University of South
Florida president, appointed Holden to replace Dr. Sarah Pappas,
president of Manatee Community College, who will retire in June
2008. Holden’s 23 years of community college experience
as an instructor and administrator will contribute to fulfilling
the Council’s mission to attract, retain and grow high
tech industry and the workforce to support those industries
in the 23-county Corridor.
For more information, visit http://www.floridahightech.com/pressroom/holden.html.
|
Florida Department of
Agriculture Approves $25M in Bio-Energy Development Grants
Florida’s Farm to Fuel Grants Program will offer $25 million
in matching grants for developments in the field of bio-energy.
Of that, $3 million will be awarded for research, development
and demonstration projects, and the remaining $22 million for
commercial bio-energy projects.
The announcement was made by Florida Agriculture and Consumer
Services Commissioner Chares H. Bronson, who early this year
awarded $15 million to eight organizations as part of the Renewable
Energy Technologies Grants Program. Applications for the 2007
Renewable Energy Technologies Grant program are due by 5 p.m.
Thursday, October 18, and applications for the Farm to Fuel
Grants are due by 5 p.m. Friday, October 26.
For more information, visit http://www.floridafarmtofuel.com.
|
Tampa Technology Company
Helps Fight Crime
Agile Communications Group, a Tampa-based wireless technology
and service company, and Texas software firm Anderson Software
have developed a new software program that will aid good Samaritans
in reporting crime.
The program, TipSoft SMS, allows for more than 1,200 Crime
Stoppers programs to receive anonymous tips via cell phone,
as well as allowing replies to be sent to the tipsters.
For more information, visit http://www.tipsoft.com/Press_Release_TSoft_Agile.pdf.
|
USF’s
First Symposium on Molecular Diversity
The University of South Florida’s (USF) Florida Center
of Excellence for Biomolecular Identification and Targeted Therapeutics
will host its first scientific symposium Oct. 24 to 26. Focused
on drug design, discovery and delivery, the symposium will consist
of five sessions of internationally recognized speakers in the
drug discovery area. The keynote speaker for the event is Nobel
Laureate Barry Sharpless from The Scripps Research Institute
in La Jolla, California.
For more information, visit http://bitt.usf.edu/conference.
|
26th International Congress
on Laser Technology Comes to Orlando
The Laser Institute of America (LIA) will host the 26th International
Congress on Applications of Lasers & Electro-Optics at the
Hilton in the Walt Disney World Resort Oct. 29 to Nov. 1. The
Congress will include a new nanomanufacturing conference to
discuss the future of optical and laser-related nanotechnologies.
Three Corridor companies hold the distinction of presenting
in a panel about Laser Business Insight, including AppliCote
Associates LLC of Sanford, Kissimmee-based Nonbox Consulting
and Opticus IP Law, PLLC of Sarasota. The conference will also
feature a University of Florida researcher presenting findings
on Laser Micro Spin Forming. After the conference, LIA has scheduled
a tour of the University of Central Florida’s College
of Optics and Photonics.
For more information, visit http://www.icaleo.org.
|
9th Annual
Southeastern BIO Investor Forum in November
The Southeastern BIO (SEBIO) Investor Forum will be held Nov.
7 to 8 at the Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Boasting more than 400 attendees including regional and international
investors and more than $2 billion in public and private funding
raised by former SEBIO presenters, the forum provides an excellent
networking opportunity between emerging life science companies
and potential investors.
Invited to participate in SEBIO 2007 are four Corridor companies
that ranked among the best life sciences deals in the Southeast.
The companies are Gainesville-based Transgeneron Therapeutics
Inc., Optima Neuroscience Inc., and Xhale Diagnostics Inc.,
and NovaMin Technology Inc. of Alachua.
For more information, please visit http://www.sebio.org/investorforum/2007/index.asp.
|
Sarasota International Design
Summit: Designing for Life
The 2007 Sarasota International Design Summit will
be held Nov. 5 to 7 at Sarasota’s Ringling College and
Ritz Carlton.
The Summit’s theme will explore how design is influencing
the creation of new products, services and business models.
Focused on eco-innovation, green design and social sustainability,
the event features presenters from the design, workforce development
and public planning sectors. Keynote speaker Tim Sarnoff, president
of Sony Pictures Imageworks, will discuss the merging of design
and technology in the digital media industry.
For more information, please visit http://www.sarasotadesignsummit.com.
|
Accolades
Seminole Regional Chamber Honors UCF President John
Hitt
At its 2007 Industry Recognition Luncheon, the Seminole County
Regional Chamber of Commerce presented University of Central
Florida President John Hitt with the Lifetime Achievement Award,
whose many accomplishments have greatly enriched the community.
Among the major developments completed during his tenure, recently
Hitt oversaw the creation of the Florida Interactive Entertainment
Academy, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management and the
College of Medicine.
Orlando Company Wins Innovation Award from FHTCC &
EDC
OptiGrate, a University of Central Florida incubator company
was presented with the Innovation Award by the Metro Orlando
Economic Development Commission (MOEDC) and the Florida High
Tech Corridor Council at MOEDC’s William C. Schwartz Awards.
OptiGrate won the award for its production of precise, durable
glass that is used by companies such as Boeing, Raytheon and
BAE systems to deflect light from laser beams. Other companies
that were recognized included Bright House Networks, INX Environmental
Technology, VaxDesign Corp., F4W Inc. and Overture Development
Group.
Workforce Central Florida Names Officers and Board
Members
Workforce Central Florida, a Florida High Tech Corridor Council
partner organization, recently announced new board members and
officers who will serve through June 2010.
Among the new board members are: Nikita Frenney of M V Transportation,
Rob Panepinto of Connextions, Michael McDaniel of the American
Legion and Paul Wilson of ATU Local 1596. Newly named officers
were: Lena Wasserman of Community State Mortgage Corp. –
chairman; Owen Wentworth of Owen Wentworth Consulting –
vice chairman; Michael Miller of Mercantile Bank – treasurer;
and, Willanne Colwell of Orlando Regional Healthcare –
secretary.
Raytheon Awarded $1 Billion Navy Destroyer Contract
Defense contractor Raytheon Co. was recently awarded a nearly
$1 billion contract from the Navy to produce combat systems
for the new DDG 1000 Zumwalt-class destroyer. With an expected
completion date of 2012, the systems are under development at
Raytheon’s Network Centric Systems divisions in Orlando,
Tampa and Largo as well as at its other facilities in New Jersey,
Indiana and New England.
Northrop Grumman Wins $98 Million Contract for Laser
Rangefinders
Northrop Grumman’s Apopka-based Electronics Operations
division recently won a nearly $98 million contract to produce
940 laser markers/range-finding designators and other support
equipment. The devices, known as Special Operations Forces Laser
Acquisition Marker (SOFLAM) and Special Operations Forces Laser
Rangefinder Designators (SOFLRD), are lightweight integrated
laser designators and rangefinders which allow for the location
and designation of enemy targets.
|
Did You Know?
According to the recent study from AeA, Florida Cybercities
2007, the cities of Tampa, Orlando and Palm Bay/Melbourne are
among the top four largest technology hubs in the state with
Miami/Fort Lauderdale holding the top spot. Tampa was ranked
second with 55,900 jobs, Orlando third with 42,600 and Palm
Bay/Melbourne was ranked fourth with 20,900. Overall, the state
of Florida ranked fourth in highest number of high tech jobs
in the nation in 2005.
|
Calendar
of Events
The following events are taking place across the Corridor’s
23-county region or in the surrounding area:
Eco-Innovation: Opportunities for Florida in Alternative
Energy and Sustainable Technologies
Presented by: University of Central Florida
Tuesday, Oct. 9, 5 to 7:30 p.m.
USF St. Petersburg Campus Activities Center
140 Seventh Avenue South, St. Petersburg
For event information, visit
http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?i=2e5bd816-9343-4c0c-abf3-86eccdb91675.
“Discipline of Innovation” Express Workshop
Presented by: SRI International
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Poynter Institute
801 Third Street South, St. Petersburg
For event information, visit
http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?i=13307694-473d-4282-9b2e-4a7795adbd84.
Symposium on Molecular Diversity
Presented by: USF Florida Center of Excellence
for Biomolecular Identification and Targeted Therapeutics
Wednesday, Oct. 24, to Friday, Oct. 26
Embassy Suites Hotel
3705 Spectrum Blvd, Tampa
For event information, visit http://bitt.usf.edu/conference.
Tips on SBIR/STTR – Phase II Workshop
Presented by: University of Florida
Thursday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
McKnight Brain Institute
Room LG110A, 100 S. Newell Drive, Gainesville
For event information, contact Chris Brown: cbrown11@rgp.ufl.edu.
“The Power of Angel Investing” Overview
Workshop
Presented by: University of Central Florida Venture Lab
and Winter Park Angels
Thursday, Oct. 25, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Rollins College, Crummer School of Business Building
1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park
For event information, visit http://www.venturelab.ucf.edu/workshops_angel.html.
26th International Congress on Laser Technology
Presented by: Laser Institute of America
Monday, Oct. 29 to Thursday, Nov. 1
Hilton Walt Disney World Resort Hotel
751 Hotel Plaza Boulevard, Lake Buena Vista
For event information, visit http://www.icaleo.org.
Sarasota International Design Summit: Designing for
Life
Presented by: Ringling College of Art and Design
Monday, Nov. 5 to Wednesday, Nov. 7
Ritz Carlton, 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive, Sarasota
For event information, visit
http://www.sarasotadesignsummit.com.
Ninth Annual Southeastern BIO Investor Forum
Presented by: Southeast BIO
Wednesday, Nov. 7 to Thursday, Nov. 8
Pinehurst, One Carolina Vista Drive, Village of Pinehurst, NC
For event information, visit
http://www.sebio.org/investorforum/2007.
Invention to Venture Orlando: A workshop in technology
entrepreneurship
Presented by: NCIIA and UCF
Friday, Nov. 9, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
UCF Fairwinds Alumni Center.
4000 Central Florida Blvd. Bldg 126, (N. Gemini Blvd.) Orlando
For event information, visit
http://www.invention2venture.org/orlando.
|
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. |
|