Students invited to showcase research at Innovation Fair


LAWRENCE — University of Kansas students are invited to share their entrepreneurial ideas and translational research – and compete for $4,500 in prize money – at the second annual Innovation Fair at 4 p.m. Thursday, May 1, in the Kansas Union Ballroom.

The Innovation Fair is an opportunity for students to present their research and ideas for new products with other students, faculty and company representatives. The event includes a poster competition, which will award first, second and third prizes ($1,000, $750 and $500, respectively) in each of two divisions – the undergraduate and graduate divisions.

The Innovation Fair is open to all students from all KU campuses, including the KU Medical Center, regardless of whether they’re presenting posters. Faculty, staff, company representatives and anyone involved in entrepreneurship are encouraged to attend.

The event is sponsored by the University of Kansas Innovation & Collaboration, which heads KU’s efforts in entrepreneurship, technology transfer and commercialization.

“This Innovation Fair is a great opportunity for all students, whether you’re an undergraduate exploring an idea for a product, or a graduate student looking to share your translational research with company representatives,” said Julie Goonewardene, associate vice chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship and president of KUIC. “This is a great opportunity to network with people from the KU community and industry who are interested in your ideas.”

The Innovation Fair will also include the presentation of the second annual Jim Baxendale Commercialization Award, which recognizes a single KU researcher for excellence in commercialization and translational research. Last year’s winner was Lisa Stehno-Bittel, professor and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science in the School of Health Professions and co-founder of startup company Likarda.

For details, deadlines and registration information, visit the Innovation Fair event page.

“KU continues to make entrepreneurship and commercialization a priority,” Goonewardene said. “This year’s Innovation Fair is a great opportunity for students and faculty to come together to explore opportunities to do research that results in new products and technologies that improve our lives and also grow the Kansas economy."

Wed, 03/26/2014

author

Joe Monaco

Media Contacts

Joe Monaco

KU Office of Public Affairs

785-864-7100