Research NewsletterIssue: ORN-2023-13

National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Chapter at NJIT Forum:

Collaborative Research and Technology Innovation Partnerships

and

NJIT 2023 Research Institutes, Centers and Laboratory Showcase

(NJIT, Rutgers University, Princeton University, Rowan University, Columbia University, Stevens Institute of Technology and Montclair State University)

March 30, 2023; 9.00 AM – 3.00 PM

Ballroom A/B and Gallery, Campus Center, NJIT

YouTube Video Streaming Link: https://youtube.com/live/D_VwZ5Lsr-w?feature=share

Abstract:

Recent changes in the world have been largely driven by technology innovations and partnerships creating new pathways for economic growth addressing grand challenges and impacting the way we live. It is evident that the vast knowledge base and unprecedented investments in basic and applied research needs to be synergistically augmented by advancements in translational research, market validation and acceptance as well as smart manufacturing, and distribution management strategies where needed. Such synergies to bring global solutions to societal challenges essentially require technology innovation partnerships among research, industry, business, infrastructure, as well as government and non-government stakeholder communities.

The U.S., as the technology innovation leader in the world, continues to focus on creating resources and synergies for developing sustainable societies towards healthier and prosperous communities with better quality of life. 

The NAI Chapter-NJIT Forum and Research Showcase will feature:

1. Distinguished Keynote Talk by Graciela Narcho, Deputy Assistant Director of the NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships,
2. Distinguished Panel Discussion and working group session on Future Trends and Opportunities in Technology Innovation Partnerships, and
3. e-Poster sessions of research institutes, centers and specialized laboratories from leading universities in the region. The showcase will provide an open forum to discuss pathways for developing synergistic technology innovation partnerships among stakeholders to address global grand challenges in the areas of sustainable environment and climate change, preventive, personalized and precision healthcare, and data revolution with trustworthy information systems and secured cyberspace.

Program Agenda

8.30 AM – 9.00 AM:       Registration, Breakfast and Electronic PPT Poster Set-up

9.00 AM – 10.00 AM:     NJIT, Rutgers University, Princeton University, Rowan University, Columbia University, Stevens Institute of Technology and Montclair State University Research Institutes Research Institutes, Centers and Laboratories Showcase: Electronic Poster Preview Session

10.00 AM – 10.05 AM:   Welcome Remarks:

                                        Atam Dhawan, Interim Provost, NJIT

                                       Teik Lim, President, NJIT

10.05 AM – 10.10 AM:   Program Agenda and Introduction to the Distinguished Speaker

                                         Atam Dhawan, Interim Provost, NJIT

10.10 AM – 11.00 AM:  Keynote Presentation: Technology and Innovation Partnerships Strategic Funding Initiatives at National Science Foundation

                                         Distinguished Speaker: Graciela (Gracie) Narcho, Deputy Assistant Director of the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships

11.00 AM – 11.05 PM:   Welcome Remarks to Research Showcase

                                         Robert Cohen, Chair, NJIT Board of Trustees

                                         President, Digital, Robotics, and Enabling Technology, Stryker             

11.05 AM – 12.00 PM:   NJIT-Rutgers-Princeton-Rowan-Stevens-Montclair-Columbia Research Institutes, Centers and Laboratories Showcase: Networking and Electronic Poster Session-1

12.00 PM – 12.30 PM:    Lunch and Networking

12.30 PM – 2.00 PM:      Distinguished Panel Discussion: Future Trends and Opportunities in Technology Innovation Partnerships

                                         Panel Topics and Areas of Discussion:

1. What strategic priority areas with complementary expertise from participating institutions should be the focus for future collaborations and innovation partnerships aligned with potential funding opportunities?
2. What assets and resources are available from participating institutions and organizations to share on future collaboration and partnership proposals in these focus areas?
3. How to initiate some seed funding program to synergize the potential collaborations and partnerships identified in (1) and (2)
4. What are the next steps to promote collaborations and partnerships to address potential funding opportunities with the formation of working groups to continue developing a framework of collaborative innovation partnerships in the selected focus areas?

Moderator: Govi Rao, CEO, Phase Change Solutions                                                              

Panelists:

             Michael E. Zwick, Senior Vice President for Research, Rutgers University

             Craig Arnold, Vice Dean for Innovation, Princeton University

             Edmund Synakowski, Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, Stevens Institute of Technology

            Piotr Piotrowiak, Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and Collaborations, Rutgers-Newark

           Tabbetha A. Dobbins, Vice President, Rowan University

             David Rotella, Sokol Professor of Chemistry, Montclair State University

            Gwen E. Nero, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Industry Relations Group, Columbia Technology Ventures, Columbia University

           Judith Sheft, Executive Director, New Jersey Commission of Science, Innovation and Technology

           Shawn A. Chester, Associate Vice Provost for Research Collaborations and Partnerships, New Jersey Institute of Technology

2.00 PM:                          Concluding Remarks

2.00 PM – 3.00 PM:        NJIT-Rutgers-Princeton-Rowan-Stevens-Montclair-Columbia Research Institutes, Centers and Laboratories Showcase: Networking and Electronic Poster Session-2

Full Bios and Agenda is posted here.  

NSF: Building the Prototype Open Knowledge Network (Proto-OKN); Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-2 (Mid-scale RI-2); A Science of Science Approach to Analyzing and Innovating the Biomedical Research Enterprise (SoS:BIO); Human Networks and Data Science (HNDS): DMR-NIBIB Collaboration: Exploring Fundamental Drivers of Next Generation Biomaterials for Biomedical Research

NIH: NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Program (DP1); Jointly Sponsored Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award Institutional Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences (T32); BRAIN Initiative: Optimization of Instrumentation and Device Technologies for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (U01); BRAIN Initiative: New Technologies and Novel Approaches for Recording and Modulation in the Nervous System (R01)

Department of Defense/US Army/DARPA/ONR: Materials Characterization and Quantum Performance: Correlation and Causation (MQC); FY24 Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI)

Department of Energy: Science Foundations for Energy Earthshots

House Bill Wants Quantum-Powered Research To Support Agriculture, Medical Development:  New legislation looks to marry quantum simulation systems with the biotechnology used in producing fertilizer chemicals in order to better support business operations within the U.S. farmland economy. 

Introduced by Reps. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, and Haley Stevens, D-Mich., the Quantum in Practice Act aims to introduce quantum molecular simulations and modeling softwares in how the federal government researches fertilizer chemicals.  Research powered by quantum simulations methods––which are considered more powerful than classical computing simulation methods due to quantum algorithms’ ability to process large volumes of data at high speeds––would ideally yield new materials that could contribute to the agricultural economy and beyond. More information is posted on the NextGov website.

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US Needs Improved Regulation to Foster Drone R&D: Research and development to advance Unmanned Aircraft Systems is critical but currently burdened by regulation, according to speakers at a House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee hearing on Thursday. Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin, R-Texas, noted that there are two challenges to deploying the next-generation of autonomous systems in the U.S.: research and development and regulatory frameworks. “Due to the delays in integrating UAS into the National Airspace System, these technologies are unable to reach their maximum potential,” Babin said. “As a result, U.S. companies are going overseas to conduct UAS R&D, which directly impacts our national security and economic competitiveness. Our goal today is to better understand the research underway to overcome these barriers and how we can streamline UAS and AAM [Advanced Air Mobility] integration.” Babin further expressed concern about China’s technology and market dominance in this area, citing national security concerns. He noted the importance of American R&D and manufacturing to address this concern. More information is posted on the NextGov website.

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Emerging Technologies to Underpin Biden Plan for US Bioeconomy: Alternatives to petroleum-based manufacturing for everyday goods stand to become a larger part of the U.S. economy, with the Biden-Harris administration releasing a new series of goals related to propelling innovation in biotechnology nationwide to support a greener economy. Following an executive order from September 2022, a new national strategy released by the White House on Wednesday calls for a stronger domestic biomanufacturing sector within the U.S. The key principle underlying the national plan calls for swapping out petroleum-made products with sustainable biomass, changing the foundational material that comprises daily necessities. “The world is on the cusp of an industrial revolution fueled by biotechnology and biomanufacturing,” the report begins. “Through biomanufacturing, sustainable biomass across the United States can be converted into new products and provide an alternative to petroleum-based production for chemicals, medicines, fuels, materials and more.” More information is posted on the NextGov website.

Question:       Can I change project start and end dates after I have submitted for approval?

Answer:         When a proposal is routed for approval certain information is locked to ensure that the information at the various approval levels (department, college, and university) remains constant.  This is intended to guarantee that the authority of academic leadership (e.g., chairs and deans) is recognized in the system.

The start and end dates are included in the data that is locked.  If you need to change the dates of a proposal already submitted for approval, you will have to recall the proposal, make the necessary changes, and resubmit for approval.

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