Impact

Proof-of-Concept funding has helped to enable the formation of startup companies, attract venture and angel funding, and advance applications for SBIR/STTR funding.  

Below are I-POC awardees and their projects. 

2016 Awardees
Angela Kent and Andrew Leakey
Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology

Enabling the development of new crop varieties to recruit beneficial microbes and improve plant productivity. 

Jean-Pierre Leburton and Lav Varshney
Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology

Using machine learning to enhance the sensitivity and detecting resolution of bio-­molecule structure and composition by using solid-­state nanopore technology with advanced two-dimensional materials. 

Stephen Long
Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
 
Using biotechnology to create plants having improved photosynthetic efficiency and ultimately higher yields. 
 
Lissette M. Piedra
College of Social Work

Developing an app with a self-guided program that will help Latinos with limited English proficiency acccess mental health services. 

Jacob Sosnoff
College of Applied Health Sciences

Developing an app that uses sensors for measuring postural sway and for recording environmental fall-risk factors to prevent falls among older adults. 

Rachel Whitaker and Patrick Degnan
Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology

Developing a method to enable discovery and surveillance of antimicrobial resistance.

2015 Awardees
Rohit Bhargava
Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology

Next Gen Molecular Pathology

Brendan Harley
Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology

Engineered Tissue Systems

Paul Hergenrother
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Novel Antibiotics for Drug-Resistant Pathogens

Dr Hergenrother is the recipient of the 2016 Innovation Transfer award, given at the annual Innovation Celebration.

Matthew Hudson
College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

A genetic marker system to reduce variation in soybean cyst nematode resistance within commercial varieties

Deana McDonagh
College of Fine & Applied Arts

AmpliMy: Wheelchair Voice Amplifier

James Shriner
College of Education

IEP Quality

Douglas Smith
School of Social Work

A peer support mobile application for friends of emerging adults with alcohol problems

2014 Awardees
Kaustubh Bhalerao
College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences

Developing a Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) testing service that is faster and provides more precise data than existing solutions.

Company: Soil Diagnostics

Stephen Boppart
Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology

Commercializing a Quantitative Pneumatic Otoscope, which uses optical coherence tomography (OTC) to visualize middle ear disease.

Company: Photonicare, which went on to  participate in the I-Corps program. The company has received more than $2M in non-dilutive funding from the National Institutes of Health, Food and Drug Administration, and other institutions, including a Phase II SBIR from the NIH to conduct clinical trials of its ClearView device at Children's National Health System in Washington, DC. To learn more, watch this video, produced with the AUTM Better World Project.

Martin Burke
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Advancing a non-toxic amphotericin toward clinical candidacy by developing a compound with the potential to become a frontline antifungal therapy.

Company: Revolution Medicines, which launched in 2015 with a $45 million investment from Third Rock Ventures.

Andrew Singer
College of Engineering

Developing a high-speed underwater wireless communications system. Professor Singer has received a $150,000 SBIR award to further the technology's development.

Company: OceanComm, which has gone on to receive an SBIR award for further development.

Heinrich Taube
College of Fine & Applied Arts

Replacing paper-based music theory instruction with the Harmonia music theory application, which allows musical content to be created, edited, searched, annotated, and automatically graded. Professor Taube has received a $225,000 STTR award to continue developing his prototype.

Company: Illiac SoftwareNews Release