News Archive for 2009

When it comes to medicine, one might consider Shayn M. Peirce-Cottler, Ph.D., a professional problem-solver. One of the University of Virginia's most prolific inventors, the biomedical engineer has developed a number of innovative tools to assist clinicians in battling some of medicine's most difficult challenges.

Quantitative psychologist Steven M. Boker, Ph.D., and graduate students Timothy R. Brick and Jeffrey R. Spies have developed video-conferencing software that could revolutionize the industry and the user experience. Through the use of what are called active appearance models, fitted to accurately represent the coordinated motions of the face, the researchers are able to deliver high-resolution, three-dimensional (3-D) video-conferencing streams in real time, using inexpensive equipment and very low bandwidth.

It may be difficult to fathom, but every time you draft a document, surf the Web or even check your e-mail, you are actually putting yourself at risk for a cyber attack. Thankfully, cyber crime-fighters like Jack W. Davidson, Ph.D., and Jason D. Hiser, Ph.D., have your back. The University of Virginia computer scientists are using cutting-edge virtual-machine technology to keep computer users protected — and cyber attackers guessing.

In honor of their groundbreaking work in MRI techniques over the past two decades, the U.Va. Patent Foundation named John P. Mugler III, Ph.D., and James R. Brookeman, Ph.D., professors of radiology and biomedical engineering at U.Va., the 2009 Edlich-Henderson Inventors of the Year.

Edward A. Botchwey III, Ph.D., an assistant professor of biomedical engineering and orthopaedic surgery at the University of Virginia, is helping to bring donor bone tissues back to life. He has developed an innovative technique that could significantly improve the success rate for bone transplant procedures.

When Adam J. Sibley began his internship at the University of Virginia Patent Foundation in summer 2008, he was hoping to supplement his coursework at the U.Va. School of Law with some practical experience in the area of patent law. More than a year later, Sibley, now a third-year law student, has found he got more than he bargained for, including a patent application under his belt, experience in technology licensing, co-authorship of a journal publication and the support of a mentor.

After receiving U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) product approval in 2008, University of Virginia biotechnology start-up ContraVac Inc. launched nationwide sales of its SpermCheck® Vasectomy kit this past May. The first in a family of products based on technology developed by U.Va. cell biologist John C. Herr, Ph.D., SpermCheck Vasectomy is a home test designed to confirm a man's sterility in the months following the vasectomy procedure.

Spinner Technologies Inc., a for-profit subsidiary of the University of Virginia Patent Foundation, recently welcomed two new U.Va. start-up companies to its portfolio: Alexander BioDiscoveries LLC and UltraGenome LLC.

The University of Virginia Patent Foundation, Curry School of Education and Office of the Vice President for Research have teamed up to bring an innovative reading assessment tool to teachers in the developing world.

The university is moving forward with new plans to generate more action at the UVa Patent Foundation.  By boosting the number of deals the school makes, officials hope for a more than 800 percent increase in the technology-licensing revenue in the next decade.

Fat may carry negative connotations in today's world, but the stem cells found in fat tissue may prove valuable for their potential to heal wounds.

MicroParticle Proteomics said last week that it has exclusively licensed a blood-based biomarker from the University of Virginia Patent Foundation that could serve as the basis for diagnostic and prognostic tests for cardiovascular disease and ischemic heart failure. The biomarker was discovered by former U.Va. researcher and company co-founder Klaus Ley using a proteomics platform that he also developed while at the university and upon which MPP was founded.

Wladek Minor, Ph.D., and his research team at the University of Virginia Health System are celebrating the attainment of an important milestone by the Midwest Center for Structural Genomics (MCSG), an international scientific consortium of which they are part.

Miette H. Michie has been appointed to the position of interim executive director and chief executive officer of the University of Virginia Patent Foundation. Currently serving as assistant director, Michie will lead the foundation effective June 6 while a search is performed to find a permanent successor to Robert S. MacWright, J.D., Ph.D. Michie has served as a licensing professional at the Patent Foundation since November 1999.

MagniFire Marketing and Watermark Design took the top award Monday night at the Central Virginia chapter of the American Marketing Association’s annual EMMA Awards for Excellence in Marketing at the X Lounge.

The University of Virginia’s Patent Foundation received an honorable mention in the print collateral category for its 2008 annual report.

Anyone who has had an MRI in the past 20 years can thank two University of Virginia researchers for their help. Officials at the UVa Patent Foundation on Monday honored John P. Mugler III and James R. Brookeman as the 2009 Edlich-Henderson Inventors of the Year for research in magnetic resonance imaging techniques, including research that has sped up the process of getting an MRI.

The University of Virginia Patent Foundation named John P. Mugler III, Ph.D., and James R. Brookeman, Ph.D., the 2009 Edlich-Henderson Inventors of the Year at a special ceremony.

We’d like to highlight a couple of news items from our backyard this week that give concrete, tangible reasons for optimism and hope for the long term for all of us in the greater Charlottesville region.

The University of Virginia Patent Foundation continues to perform among the top universities in the number of technology licenses and invention disclosures. UVa ranked fourth in “deal flow” in fiscal 2007, according to a survey by the Association of University Technology Managers.

The University of Virginia Patent Foundation is among the top five in academic technology transfer, according to a survey of 194 U.S. research institutions.

The University of Virginia Patent Foundation is again leading the pack in academic technology transfer, according to a survey of 194 U.S. research institutions.

The University of Virginia Patent Foundation has licensed technology that could lead to a revolutionary new screening tool for abdominal aortic aneurysm to Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Inc.

Marie C. Kerbeshian, Ph.D., has been named interim executive director and chief executive officer of the University of Virginia Patent Foundation.

The University of Virginia Patent Foundation is now seeking nominations for the 2009 Edlich-Henderson Inventor of the Year.

After 11 years as the executive director and CEO of U.Va.'s Patent Foundation, Robert MacWright has resigned.