September 24, 2008

SIU Med School Sponsors Research and Technology Transfer Conference

Research commercialization and technology transfer will be the topics of an educational conference for health care innovators, research professionals and financial investors offered by Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.  It is offered in cooperation with the Q5 Medical Industry Initiative of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce (GSCC).  The conference is 12:30 – 3 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, in SIU’s South Auditorium (second floor), 801 N. Rutledge St., Springfield.

“The conference brings together a coalition of more than a dozen colleges and universities and business entities in the region that have expressed interest in working together to share research initiatives, foster research cooperation, provide education and utilize resources.  Our goal is to create opportunities for research commercialization and regional economic development,” said Robert Patino, J.D., director of the SIU Office of Technology Transfer and conference course director.

The conference begins with “Industry Sponsored Research: An Ergonomic Approach,” presented by Bernard Meegan, program manager of ergonomic machine research of Caterpillar, Inc.  The remaining sessions are “Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Basics: A Case Review” by Patino and Ari Bai, a partner with Polsinelli Shalton Falnigan Suelthas PC Law Firm (1 p.m.); “SBIR Assistance” by Scott Henkel, technology grant manager of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (2 p.m.); “Q5 Medical Industry Initiative: Commercialization of Medical Discoveries” by Jennie Collings, director of medical development of GSCC (2:15 p.m.); and “The Money Tree – How Your Startup Can Climb to New Heights” by Jim Schultz, president and founder of Open Prairie Ventures (2:30 p.m.).

There is no charge for the conference, which is open to the public, but pre-registration is encouraged.  Contact SIU’s Office of Technology Transfer at 217-545-8167 weekdays.

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Coalition members are: Blackburn College, Bradley University, Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Illinois College, Illinois State University, Illinois Weslyan University, Knox College, Lewis and Clark Community College, Mid-Illinois Medical District, Millikin University, Quincy University, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, University of Illinois at Springfield, and Western Illinois University.