Launch Blue Announces Ninth UAccel Cohort
Launch Blue is pleased to announce, 14 teams have been selected to participate in the 12-week Fall 2023 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps program.
UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps offers business development and an experiential learning opportunity to innovators in higher education interested in learning the best commercialization path for their technology. The goal of the program is to advance the technology toward commercialization, including preparations for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant applications, the creation of a startup, or licensing of the technology. UAccel Quick Start is organized in partnership with the University of Kentucky Office of Technology Commercialization and Kentucky Commercialization Ventures.
UAccel Quick Start is the first phase of Launch Blue’s two-phase program for innovators in higher education, the second phase is Innovation Corps (I-Corps). The National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program is an immersive, entrepreneurial training program that facilitates the transformation of invention to impact. The University of Kentucky is a member of the NSF’s Mid-South I-Corps Hub and offers a regional I-Corps program through Launch Blue.
Candidates were selected through a competitive application and interview process. The final selections for the cohort were determined by a selection committee appointed by the organizing partners. Applications for the Spring 2024 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps program will open in late fall 2023.
Samuel Awuah, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Kentucky
Using novel gold-based compounds as a therapeutic platform to selectively alter distinct mitochondrial functions.
Ankur Chattopadhyay, PhD, Assistant Professor, Northern Kentucky University
Seth Adjei, PhD, Assistant Professor, Northern Kentucky University
A multi-modal data driven computationally intelligent CIA (COVID Infodemic Advisor) recommender, which is designed as a web browser extension for reporting on the trustworthiness of any online COVID information claim.
Andrew Dorn
Savannah Reed
Brianna Kayatin
The a.w.e. cup is an innovative menstrual cup that will promote affordability, wellness, and empowerment.
Renee Gallagher, Operations Coordinator, College of Medicine,
University of Kentucky
A program that connects the learning experience regardless of where a learner lives in order to increase the access to ballroom dancing.
Marcelo Guzman, PhD,
Associate Professor, University of Kentucky
David Atwood, PhD, Professor, University of Kentucky
An apparatus for trace gas detection that includes unmanned aerial vehicles and a ground station all adapted for monitoring ambient environmental parameters and trace gas detection.
Aron Huckaba, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky
A novel copper catalyst for performing the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition, which is used across the world in research labs to study biochemical problems and systems.
Sungjin Im, PhD, Assistant Professor, Western Kentucky University
An assessment and report generating service for therapists to quickly report and access client data from psychometrically validated instruments.
Patrick Kitzman, PhD, PT,
Professor, University of Kentucky
Hannah O’Leary
A service-learning program, Coordinating and Assisting the Reuse of Assistive Technology – Together One Priority (CARAT-TOP) that focuses on engaging and giving a voice to students who are typically left out of opportunities and to show that all students are able to contribute to community solutions.
Jill Kolesar, PharmD, Professor, University of Kentucky
Chris Richards, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Kentucky
Developing Macrophage Derived Engineered Vesicles (MEVs) as an effective and non-toxic treatment for ovarian cancer.
Kevin Miller, PhD, Professor, Murray State University
David Salas-de la Cruz, PhD
Associate Professor, Rutgers University
Developing a flexible, conductive cellulose-based material, which could be applied in reusable sensors and flexible batteries.
Firaz Peer, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky
A mobile application for community health workers to track services and client information on the go to help them manage their time and services more efficiently.
Ellen Steinke
Antonio Lamb
Jessica Bendiger
FlowCo strives to reshape the landscape of stem cell research and collection by increasing access to a wide range of high-quality, low-cost stem cells in an ethical and sustainable way.
Dmitry Strakovsky, Associate Professor, University of Kentucky
A carrying case for the VR equipment that can be deployed within the clinical settings and potentially generalizable to other public uses of VR and like equipment.
Gina Wesley, PhD, Director of Standardized Patient Program, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky
A program that uses Simulated Patients (SPs) to evaluate patient experiences within a visit to a physician's office, from how long they wait on hold to schedule an appointment, to the communication and clinical skills of the physician when taking a history and performing a physical exam.