Research NewsletterIssue: ORN-2024-28

2024 Undergraduate Research and Innovation (URI) Summer Research Symposium

and

National Academy of Inventors (NAI) – NJIT Chapter Innovation Day

July 24-25, 2024, Ballroom A&B, and Atrium, Campus Center

RSVP by Registration Form by July 15, 2024

The URI Summer Research Symposium agenda is posted here on the NJIT Google Drive.

More than 180 undergraduate students will present their summer research work at the symposium. Best innovation projects will be awarded the Dr. James Stevenson Innovation Award: first, second and third prizes of $1,000, $750 and $500 respectively.  In addition, The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Chapter at NJIT will host the NAI-NJIT Innovation Day on July 25, 2024, featuring distinguished keynote presentation by Dr. Amit Chakraborty, Principal Scientist, Hybrid Digital Twin & AI at Siemens Corporation. NJIT faculty inventors will be inducted to National Academy of Inventors as "Members" and "Honorary Members" at the NAI-NJIT Chapter Induction Ceremony and Lunch from 12:00 AM - 1.00 PM on July 25, 2024. 

Provost John Pelesko will open the symposium with welcome remarks. President Teik Lim will welcome us on the second day, celebrating the NJIT Innovation Day with NAI-NJIT Chapter and Dr. James Stevenson Student Innovation Awards

You are invited to join us to encourage undergraduate students in the summer research program and celebrate the induction ceremony of our faculty inventors. The symposium program includes light breakfast and lunch on July 24 and July 25.   However, we request you to please confirm your attendance for these events by filling out the Registration Form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMrSRU0W_t6ub1WKevEDekVKzokHgT4H9k_afs0jje0cscyw/viewform.  Please respond by July 15, 2024.

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Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): National Cancer Institute Entrepreneurial Education Programs to Facilitate Commercialization of Cancer Relevant Technologies

NOT-CA-24-001

This Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) serves to encourage applications for entrepreneurial education programs that are aimed at developing the skillset of graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, as well as early-career master’s, Ph.D., M.D., M.D./Ph.D., and Dr.P.H. scientists, in fields relevant to the NCI mission. Applications that propose innovative, state-of-the-art education programs spanning from initial translational research to the commercialization of products are encouraged. The overarching objective of this NOSI is to expand the skillset of the upcoming generation of research trainees and facilitate the commercialization of cancer relevant technologies.

The Center for Cancer Training (CCT) and the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Development Center at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) recognize the needs of the current labor market and are seeking applications for innovation-focused educational programs that prepare graduate students and PhD-trained scientists for careers in entrepreneurship. Through this NOSI, the NCI Cancer Training Branch in the Center for Cancer Training, and SBIR Development Centeraim to support institutions in preparing the next generation of scientists for careers in entrepreneurship, particularly in areas related to the NCI’s mission.

Applicants are encouraged to consider participation from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, per the NIH Interest in Diversity NOSI NOT-OD-20-031. The skillset and knowledge base should focus on increasing the understanding of the cancer entrepreneurship landscape, which can include but is not limited to: regulatory and reimbursement pathway knowledge, ability to identify unmet market needs, define value propositions, and a clear understanding of cancer product development path for drugs, devices and/or digital health solutions. The goal of the NOSI is to spur new innovative education programs in entrepreneurship. As such, it is anticipated that the applications include how the proposed course differs from other entrepreneurial training courses available at their institutions, if applicable.

Related Announcements: Cancer Research Education Grants Program - Courses for Skills Development (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). See NOFO PAR-23-276

For questions related to the R25 funding opportunity requirements, Nastaran Zahir, PhD at nas.zahir@nih.gov.

NSF: NSF National Quantum Virtual Laboratory - Quantum Testbeds (NQVL); Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing in Practice (PDaSP); Advanced Technological Education (ATE); Advanced Computing Systems & Services: Adapting to the Rapid Evolution of Science and Engineering Research 2.0; Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program: Instrument Acquisition or Development; Partnerships for Innovation (PFI)

NIH: D-START: Data Science Track Award for Research Transition (D/START) (R03); NINDS Faculty Development Award to Promote Diversity in Neuroscience Research (K01)

Department of Defense/US Army/DARPA/ONR: FY24 Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement; C4ISR, Information Operations, Cyberspace Operations and Information Technology System Research, Cryogenics and Quantum Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

Department of Energy: Geothermal Resources’ Value In Implementing Decarbonization (GRID); Collaboration Opportunity Announcement (COA) for Parties Interested in Partnering with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) under FY 24 Energy and Emissions Intensive Industry FOA

NASA: Early Career Faculty (ECF); Heliophysics U.S. Participating Investigator

AI can enhance health care and enable cost savings, lawmaker says: “Technology has to be part of the way we bend the borrowing and debt curve,” Schweikert said in an interview, adding that the broader adoption of AI “can make government better, faster, cheaper” in responding to the needs of Americans.

When it comes to the health sector, Schweikert said AI technologies can enhance everything from diagnostics to front and back office medical operations, such as automating the process of filling out a patient intake form. He added that his “holy grail” is working to ensure that, as the Food and Drug Administration approves the medical use of new technologies, “we'd be reimbursed.”

“How do I make sure we’re embracing technology and using it to bring disruptive cures to market, or other opportunities to market?” Schweikert asked. “And does that also now help lower drug pricing?”

Schweikert previously introduced legislation in January 2023 that would make AI and machine learning technologies able to serve as “a practitioner eligible to prescribe drugs.” A proposal he introduced in July 2021 would amend the Social Security Act “to provide coverage and payment for certain tests and assistive telehealth consultations,” including wearable medical devices that include AI.

Neither of these measures advanced out of committee, but Schweikert said the focus for many health care providers in adopting these services “turns out to be making it reimbursable” — especially since studies have indicated that the use of AI across health care and a move toward wearable medical devices can provide greater cost savings. More information is posted on the NextGov website.

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US soldiers will get electronic warfare backpacks later this year: The Army will buy hundreds of portable electronic warfare attack and scanner systems, the service said Monday—a type of tool used frequently by both Ukraine and Russia.  The service will spend nearly $100 million to equip, train, and field the system, dubbed the Terrestrial Layer System–Brigade Combat Team Manpack, according to an Army press statement released Monday. The Manpack is designed by Mastodon Design, a subsidiary of defense contractor CACI.  The system is “on track to be the first dismounted electromagnetic attack/electromagnetic support program of record for the Army,” said a spokesperson for the Army’s program executive office for electronic warfare and cyber. The Manpack is designed to scan the electromagnetic spectrum for indications of enemy activity, like command post emissions, as well as to jam enemy transmissions. It requires two people to operate. The system will be fielded to units this year, according to the Army press release, and will eventually go to electronic warfare units across every Army brigade combat team. More information is posted on the NextGov website.