Over the years, the Institute for NanoBioTechnology (INBT) has worked hard to grow notable programs in their research, education, and translation initiatives. Now that they are thriving, INBT’s leadership have turned their focus to strategically building their translation initiative. Their translation accomplishments, along with their future plans, was reflected this year at their 13^th Annual Nano-Bio Symposium, “Translation of Nano & Bio Research” on Friday, May 3.

“When it was founded 13 years ago, the INBT was structured not just to span university divisions, but to completely obliterate disciplinary silos. And since its founding, the INBT has continued to push the university to break new ground, and has proved, over and over again, the value of collaboration,” said Dean Ed Schlesinger, Dean of the Whiting School of Engineering.

The topics discussed at this year’s symposium included how to successfully transfer academic research to the marketplace, how the collaboration of industry and academia accelerate new technology, and how to start a company.

The event featured seven guest speakers and panelists, which included Darlene Solomon, Agilent Technologies; Philip G. Vanek, GE Healthcare; Michael Tsapatsis, Johns Hopkins University/INBT; Jordan Green, Johns Hopkins University/INBT; Christy Wyskiel, Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures; Neil Cohen, Emerald Development Managers; and Sashank Reddy, Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures.

There were also 78 posters presenters competing for seven prizes, and over 200 people attended the event. Several industries sponsored the event and poster awards including Agilent Technologies, Gallagher, GE, Metropolitan Acoustics, and Millipore Sigma, Nikon Instruments, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Tom and Lois Fekete.

INBT associate director, Hai-Quan Mao, revealed the new changes happening at the institute in his closing remarks. INBT added a fourth core research area, Process Engineering at the Nanoscale. Their other pillars include Engineering for Cancer Therapies, Stem Cells and Regenerative Engineering, and Diagnostic Tools Engineered for Early Detection. With this new addition comes a name change to The Institute for Nano + Bio Technology as well as a new advisory board to provide leadership and strategic advice to ensure INBT continues to have a successful future.

Best Poster Overall
1st place: Chrissy O’Keefe
2nd place: Emily Wisniewski
3rd place: Yuan Rui

Tom and Lois Fekete Undergraduate Award Winner
Marion Pang

Nikon Instruments Sponsored Award Winners
1st place: Jackson DeStefano
2nd place: Josh DiGiacomo
3rd place: Caleb Anderson

Story by Gina Wadas