2017-2018 Annual Report
FROM THE PRESIDENT Learning to serve
Arjun Sanga President
WiSys is a learning organization. We change and grow as the needs of our institutions and their faculty, staff and students change and grow. In recent years, we’ve learned that students are a core constituency in our mission to inspire Wisconsin innovation. Consequently, we’ve focused on engaging more students. We’ve collaborated with our faculty champions and student ambassadors to enhance the UW System student educational experience through programs that improve skills in research communication (WiSys Quick Pitch, p. 12), innovation (Innovation in Aging, p. 9) and entrepreneurship (Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament, p. 18). This past year marked the first time a student was named Innovator of the Year (Our Heroes, p. 4) We've also learned that we can boost our researcher community through our partnerships. Our collaborative relationship with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), gives researchers from WiSys campuses access to dynamic programs, like the WARF Accelerator Program, providing regional comprehensive faculty inventors invaluable feedback about commercial viability from industry catalysts (Connections boost green chemistry, p. 10). Finally, we've learned that there is a role for WiSys to play in supporting grant administration at our member campuses. Working with UW System Administration, we piloted a program for researchers to raise awareness of grant opportunities and offer application guidance (Pre-Award Program, p. 24). All these efforts are paying dividends. During the past fiscal year, WiSys institutions submitted a record number of 69 inventions, including about one-third from students. That brings the 5-year total to 273 inventions disclosed (Measuring Success, p. 23). In the coming year, we plan to expand these activities. We also plan to continue to learn and listen to the myriad of voices on our campuses as we change and grow together to develop the next generation of inventors, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers.
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CONTENTS
OUR STORY 3 Our Vision 4 Our Heroes 5 Our Ambassadors 27 Our Leaders 28 Our Team
OUR PROGRAMS 6 WSTS 2018 @ UW-Parkside 12 WiSys Quick Pitch 18 Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament 24 PreP Program
OUR SCHOOLS 8 UW-Eau Claire 9 UW-Green Bay 10 UW-La Crosse 11 UW Oshkosh 14 UW-Parkside 15 UW-Platteville 16 UW-River Falls 17 UW-Stevens Point 20 UW-Stout 21 UW-Superior 22 UW-Whitewater
OUR SCORECARD 23 Measuring Success
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OUR VISION Inspiring Wisconsin Innovation We aim to build a culture of innovation for a better future. We will get there by supporting the creation and transfer of innovations from the UW System to the marketplace.
UW-Eau Claire UW-Green Bay UW-La Crosse UW Oshkosh UW-Parkside UW-Platteville UW-River Falls UW-Stevens Point UW-Stout UW-Superior UW-Whitewater Madison College Southwest Tech
3
OUR HEROES WiSys Innovators of the Year WiSys chose two innovators to receive the Carl E. Gulbrandsen Innovator of the Year award: UW-Green Bay student Sam Hunt and UW-Platteville Assistant Professor Gokul Gopalakrishnan.
Sam Hunt, Student UW-Green Bay • Invented a golf swing coaching tool • Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament winner for "The Local Food Experiment," an idea to build local food economies • International Business Model Competition semifinalist • 2017 WiSys Student Ambassador • Innovation in Aging competitor
Gokul Gopalakrishnan, Asst. Professor UW-Platteville • Inventor with two pending patents: 1. "Stiction-aided fabrication of flat semiconductor nanomembranes for microelectronics applications" 2. "Macromolecular sieves from semiconductor nanomembranes for shape-based separation and sensing" • Applied Research Grant recipient • WiSys Innovation Award • UW-Platteville’s Prototype Hackathon champion • WSTS 2017 Planning Committee 4
OUR AMBASSADORS The WiSys Student Ambassador Program continues to enhance the vital connection between WiSys and the research community on UW System campuses. These student ambassadors brought a dynamic dimension to our outreach mission, increasing our visibility and presence among researchers on the campuses we serve.
Anneka Johnson
Riley Heiman
UW-Eau Claire
UW-Green Bay
Cassidy McCann
Inderjit Kaur UW-Parkside
Tyler Baker
UW-River Falls
James Pockrandt
UW-Green Bay
Samantha Petitte
Skyla Weidemann
UW-Green Bay
Jeremiah Xiong
UW-Green Bay
Justin Ratkovec
Megan Roehrs UW-La Crosse
UW-La Crosse
UW-La Crosse
UW-La Crosse
Nikolai Lumpkins
Salina Servantez
Colton Lysaker
Bridget White
UW-Parkside
Katheryn Holter
UW-Platteville
Kristy Strain
Kathryn Vachon
Tyler Ball
Hannah Ullberg
UW-Parkside
Kirsten Ruud
UW-River Falls
UW-River Falls
UW-Stevens Point
UW-Platteville
UW-Stout
UW-Platteville
UW-Whitewater
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WSTS 2018 @ UW-PARKSIDE Nearly 250 University of Wisconsin System researchers and innovators came together at UW-Parkside for the 11th annual WSTS, a two-day symposium aimed at sparking collaboration between faculty, staff, students and industry partners across the state. The WiSys event included scientific presentations, panel discussions and networking activities to highlight the potential for partnerships across disciplines and across campuses. PHOTO: Attendees browse student posters detailing projects happening throughout the UW System.
UW-EAU CLAIRE
Photo Courtesy of UW-Eau Claire
Enhancing architectural coating New technologies are being developed globally for architectural coatings as consumers are more aware of the drawbacks of traditional solvent-borne systems containing high volatile organic compound content. The demand for water-borne coatings of higher quality and with more customizable features is on the rise as a result of both consumer expectations and environmental regulations. Fortunately, Elizabeth Glogowski (pictured on the left above), an associate professor of materials science and engineering at UW-Eau Claire, is synthesizing new compounds—or stimuli-
responsive polymers—that are up to the task following continued research. Glogowski received a UW System Applied Research Grant to continue her work during the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The grant program encourages faculty and staff, like Glogowski to apply their scholarship to support economic development in Wisconsin. The proposed project will result in a new series of stimuli-responsive polymer dispersants that have potential to improve on current dispersant technology for architectural coating applications which have a global market.
2017-18 CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
GRANTS
$118,225
DISCLOSURES
6
PATENTS FILED
2
8
UW-GREEN BAY
Photo Courtesy of UW-Green Bay
Innovation in Aging event shines Student projects at the Innovation in Aging student idea competition in February 2018 astonished judges, spectators and fellow students. Forty students from nine teams participated in the second annual event sponsored by WiSys, UW-Green Bay’s College of Health Education and Social Welfare and the UW-Green Bay Gerontology Center. “This event allows students to apply their creativity to create practical ideas,” said WiSys President Arjun Sanga. Team Stability—consisting of AJ Jensen, Rosalyn Stoa and Katherine Mikhail
(pictured above)—took home first place for their cup designed to allow individuals with tremors to drink comfortably without spilling. The team also received the event’s People’s Choice Award. Team EAST’s device for the trunk of a car that helps individuals handle items such as groceries received second place. Team members included Leah Zorn, Dylan Ringham and Evan Polkinghorne. In third place, Liza Steffeck and Gabrielle Jochman of Team Embrace Age in Wisconsin Campaign were recognized for their idea for a social campaign to reduce ageism.
2017-18 CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
GRANTS
$136,859
DISCLOSURES
9
PATENTS FILED
1
9
UW-LA CROSSE
Photo Courtesy of UW-La Crosse
Connections boost green chemistry UW-La Crosse Chemistry Professor Rob McGaff ’s green chemistry studies got a big boost when he was selected to participate in the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation's (WARF) Accelerator Program. Through the program, McGaff (pictured on the right above) was able to meet with industry experts for guidance on commercialization of more environmentally-friendly, yet industriallyimportant chemical compounds. McGaff was one of three WiSys-affiliated researchers in the UW System selected to participate in WARF’s Accelerator Program.
WiSys offers tremendous value to researchers through it’s close relationship to WARF and access to the Accelerator Program, according to WiSys President Arjun Sanga. Since WARF’s program started in 2009, it has funded more than 100 projects, resulting in 38 revenue-generating commercial agreements and 13 startup companies. WiSys and McGaff have had a successful partnership for years. He’s received multiple research grants, expert connections and commercialization assistance. In 2016, he was WiSys’ Innovator of the Year.
2017-18 CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
GRANTS
$104,986
DISCLOSURES
3
PATENTS FILED
2
10
UW OSHKOSH
Photo Courtesy of UW-Green Bay
Team boosts commercialization WiSys partnered with the UW Oshkosh Alta Resources Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to create a one-year pilot program which embodies the entrepreneurial and innovative initiatives that WiSys constantly seeks to enhance. As a result of the collaboration, the parties assembled the WiSys Entrepreneur Team. The team was launched to bolster development and expansion of WiSysowned intellectual property and is working towards successful commercialization by collaborating with customers, mentors, faculty, economic development entities and
the business community. Participating in the partnership has allowed for students to gain legitimate startup experience with a focus in product development and sales. The partnership reiterates both WiSys' and the University’s commitment to supporting hands-on learning and entrepreneurial initiatives that have a palpable economic impact. In targeting highly scalable technology, the collaboration will help to develop strong, communitysupported startups that will employ locals with high levels of expertise.
2017-18 CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
GRANTS
$66,879
DISCLOSURES
3
PATENTS FILED
2
11
WISYS QUICK PITCH Students from nine campuses participated in the fourth season of this elevator pitchstyle competition that culminated with a state final event during the annual WSTS. WiSys expects to add more campuses in the fifth season. PHOTO: With the UW-Platteville Chancellor Dennis Shields in attendance, a student pitches at the 2017 WiSys Quick Pitch.
UW-PARKSIDE
Improving water quality With growing alarm over increasing levels of pharmaceutical contamination in the environment that results from residential, industrial and agricultural waste, UWParkside Assistant Professor of Chemistry Daryl Sauer found it necessary to take action against such pollution. Recently, pharmaceuticals such as antibiotics, contraceptives, heart medications, blood pressure medications, pain relievers, antidepressants and cholesterol lowering agents have been identified in various water sources, all of which can be toxic to the environment and
its inhabitants. To combat these pollutants, Sauer is investigating electrochemistry solutions with the support of an Applied ResearchWiSys Technology Advancement Grant. Electrochemistry is a safe and environmentally friendly technology in which chemistry is performed using electricity rather than chemicals to identify metabolites of pharmaceuticals which could end up in waste streams and to electronically eliminate the pharmaceuticals and metabolites from drinking water sources.
2017-18 CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
GRANTS
$99,212
DISCLOSURES
3
PATENTS FILED
1
14
UW-PLATTEVILLE
Photo Courtesy of UW-Platteville
Promising nanomembrane research WiSys- and UW System-funded research on tiny silicon nanomembranes could have giant impacts in the world of science. The work being done by UW-Platteville Assistant Professor of Engineering Physics Gokul Gopalakrishnan (pictured on the left above) and a team of students could have wide applications such as improving GPS in smartphones or the capabilities of sensors implanted into blood vessels for rapid detection of life-threatening blood pressure changes. The nanomembranes that the group has been developing are malleable sheets
that are one thousand times thinner than a human hair and are extremely strong. According to Gopalakrishnan, who was the named 2018 WiSys Innovator of the Year, much of this research was made possible through various WiSys-connected grants, and he is currently working with WiSys on patent disclosures for the research. This silicon nanomembrane research led to a grant proposal from Gopalakrishnan, along with Mark Levenstein, assistant professor of biology, to further nanomembrane research, specifically regarding biomedical applications.
2017-18 CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
GRANTS
$353,929
DISCLOSURES
19
PATENTS ISSUED
3
15
UW-RIVER FALLS
Professor patents compounds that fight cancer WiSys worked with UW-River Falls Associate Professor of Biology Cheng-chen Huang to patent novel chemotherapeutic compounds that reduce melanoma cancer stem cells. Huang’s research focused on two compounds that have the potential to inhibit melanoma. After extensive work surrounding the topic, Huang’s research led to the discovery that the compounds treat cells and reduce cell proliferation. The work suggests that the compounds may have different mechanisms
than conventional melanoma treatments. Huang believes that licensing the discovery will be the most promising path to market because of the resources needed to develop a drug that can be approved by regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency. Following further development, the compounds could be used in cancer therapy, providing doctors and researchers with alternative forms of cancer treatment.
2017-18 CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
GRANTS
$20,552
DISCLOSURES
8
PATENTS FILED
4
16
UW-STEVENS POINT
'Design Mashup' is a smash Seventeen teams across 10 fields of study participated in the first annual UWStevens Point Design Mashup student idea competition. Students were invited to conceive inventive solutions for real issues facing the city of Stevens Point. The teams presented five-minute videos detailing their solutions to a panel of judges. The students’ ideas included graphic design, interior architecture and design, nursing, natural resource management, health and wellness, history, dance, web and digital media development and human
technology interaction solutions. With a grand prize of $500 and an acceptance into WiSys’ portfolio for intellectual property protection on the line, the small student groups worked diligently to devise eloquent, innovative solutions to a real problem with real economic, social or sustainable consequences. Ultimately, Team SSP, which included Phanom Thao, James Kasper, Aaron Sauter and Casey Nieman, were awarded first place by the judges for their high-quality video production and their idea regarding a solar panel parking lot roof system.
2017-18 CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
GRANTS
$41,771
DISCLOSURES
1
PATENTS ISSUED
2
17
WISCONSIN BIG IDEA TOURNAMENT Twelve student teams from throughout the UW System came to Madison in April to present their big ideas at this annual entrepreneurship competition. UW-Green Bay senior Sam Hunt won with his idea, "The Local Food Experiment," which addresses food-related chronic disease and agricultural water pollution by maximizing the convenience and affordability of nutritious, eco-friendly eating. PHOTO: First place winner Sam Hunt, left, also a 2018 WiSys Innovator of the Year, and third place winner James Van Eerden, right, take a selfie together.
UW-STOUT
Grant supports research to better detect autoimmune diseases With the support of a UW System Applied Research-WiSys Technology Advancement Grant, UW-Stout professors are doing innovative research on autoimmune diseases. Dmitry Kadnikov, associate professor of chemistry and physics and Jennifer Grant, professor of biology, are working on a new method to detect citrulline, an amino acid that appears connected to the development of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases.
As these diseases impact millions of individuals worldwide, improved technologies surrounding these specific diseases are in high demand. The research at UW-Stout could improve the health of millions and lead to expansion of job creation and biomedical businesses in Wisconsin. Successful commercialization would entail creating clinical tests for the detection of these devastating autoimmune diseases.
2017-18 CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
GRANTS
$48,643
DISCLOSURES
4
PATENTS FILED
4
20
UW-SUPERIOR
Photo Courtesy of UW-Superior
Protecting bees from winter As concern over rapid losses of bee populations has grown in recent years, two WiSys Innovators developed a product to increase their survival during the winter. UW-Superior Biology Professor Ed Burkett and engineer and inventor Kenn Raihala built a beehive wind protector to help bees survive Wisconsin’s harsh winters. Due to the cold temperatures reached in northern Wisconsin, bees are forced to live within the confines of their hive for months, creating a difficult living environment that is ultimately insufficient in sustaining copious portions of the bee population.
At an apiary that Burkett and Raihala set up on the UW-Superior campus to facilitate their bee research, an alarming number of bees died between 2016 and 2017. To mitigate the losses, Burkett and Raihala developed their prototype for a winterized, wind protected beehive. The wind protector allows ventilation while maintaining warmth, increasing the likelihood of survival in winter. Preliminary studies with an initial prototype suggest the device improves over-winter beehive survival by 50 percent. WiSys has filed for patent protection on this promising technology.
2017-18 CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
GRANTS
$10,217
DISCLOSURES
2
21
UW-WHITEWATER
Photo Courtesy of UW-Whitewater
Advances in 3D printing tech Retired UW-Whitewater Professor Dan McGuire (pictured above) is making strides in 3D printing technology using chemistry. His work, in conjunction with Florida State University faculty member, Eric Hellstrom, and others, has potential commercial applications including investment casting, which is a common industrial process for producing consistent materials from metals and alloys. The group of inventors is familiar to WiSys, as they have submitted disclosures in the past. For their most recent disclosure they focused on a set of recipes that
combined 3D printing specialty shaped ceramic molds and heat treatment to give the ceramic body the required strength for casting. During the casting process, casts can shrink by up to 30 percent and create inconsistencies. However, after experimenting with new methods of printing, the inventors developed a method that does not suffer the typical shrinkage issues. The method could be licensed to the inventor startup or an existing company with WiSys’ help.
2017-18 CAMPUS SNAPSHOT
GRANTS
$2,000
DISCLOSURES
2
PATENTS ISSUED
3
22
MEASURING SUCCESS Research and invention activity Disclosures Avg./Year (2013-2017)
Disclosures 2016-2017
Disclosures 2017-2018
Patents Filed
Patents Issued
New Agreements
Licenses/ Options Executed
Grants Awarded
UW-Eau Claire
3.4
4
6
2
0
2
0
$118,225
UW-Green Bay
3.4
7
9
4
0
1
0
$136,859
UW-La Crosse
2
6
3
0
1
1
0
$104,986
UW Oshkosh
3.2
3
3
4
0
1
0
$66,879
UW-Parkside
4.4
6
3
3
0
0
1
$99,212
UW-Platteville
7.4
12
19
13
0
4
1
$353,929
UW-River Falls
4
4
8
1
0
1
0
$20,552
3.6
5
1
2
0
1
1
$41,771
UW-Stout
4
6
4
2
2
1
0
$48,643
UW-Superior
1
3
2
1
0
0
0
$10,217
UW-Whitewater
3
5
2
2
0
1
1
$2,000
1.2
0
9
3
0
0
0
$37,900
46
64
69
37
3
13
4
$1,041,173
UW-Stevens Point
UW Colleges Tech Colleges UW-Extension
TOTAL
This data has been corrected and amended since it was originally published
23
PRE-AWARD PROGRAM (PreP) This year, WiSys launched this pilot initiative to raise awareness of grant opportunities and offer application guidance to researchers. More than 350 faculty across the UW System participated in grant workshops and webinars in the first six months of 2018. Three goals drive the heart of the PreP Program: • • •
Educating and coaching faculty grantseekers. Strengthening campus research culture. Developing research administrator capacities.
PHOTO: WiSys Regional Research Administrator Jeremy Miner explains the "Fundamentals of Grant Writing" at a session at UW-River Falls.
MEASURING SUCCESS Total Grant Awards
$1,041,173
WiSys administers several grant programs for new ideas, inventions and innovations at any stage.
Invention Disclosures
An invention disclosure is a formal written submission of a new innovation to WiSys.
Invention Patents Disclosures Filed
69
28
Patents Issued
10
26
OUR LEADERS Board of Trustees & Officers
David J. Ward
Leon J. Ostrowski Vice Chair
Erik Iverson Treasurer
Lorrie (Keating) Heinemann Secretary
Arjun Sanga President
David Brukardt
Jennifer Gottwald
Toni Sikes
Tomas Stafford
Dean Van Galen
Chair
Board Committees Advisory
Dean Van Galen (Chair), Arjun Sanga, Lawrence (Joe) Allred, David Brukardt, Deborah Ford, Molly Gribb, Mark Hogan, Tracey Klein, Andrew Leavitt, Gary Miller, Karen Schmitt, Tom Still
Finance, Audit & Administration
Lorrie (Keating) Heinemann (Chair), David Brukardt, Erik Iverson, Leon J. Ostrowski, Arjun Sanga (ex officio), Tomas Stafford
Investment
David J. Ward (Chair), Arjun Sanga (ex officio), Erik Iverson, Lorrie (Keating) Heinemann, Toni Sikes
27
OUR TEAM
Arjun Sanga President
Tony Hanson
Regional & Licensing Associate
Craig Sauer
Marketing & Communications Associate
Jennifer Cook Associate Director
Alicia Schiff
Sara Kunkel
Executive Assistant & Program Coordinator
Administrative Assistant
Regional & Licensing Associate
Regional Associate
Brian Walsh
Jeremy Miner
Mike Cenci
Macien Stuart
Allison Haney
Kristen Ruka
Intellectual Property & Contracts Associate
Intern
Regional Research Administrator
Intern
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