IU President Whitten moderates in-depth conversation with Gov. Holcomb
Yesterday, Feb 16, in Bloomington, before several hundred local business, community and government leaders, Indiana University President Pamela Whitten sat down for a one-on-one conversation with Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb to discuss the governor’s legislative priorities and the state’s major initiatives concerning education, the economy, and public health and wellness at the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Governor’s Luncheon.
During the event, which IU and Cook Medical co-hosted, Gov. Holcomb underscored his support for IU’s efforts to educate the next generation of Indiana workers and keep graduates in careers in the Hoosier state. He also provided an update on the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, Indiana’s major economic development initiative designed to promote strategic investments that strengthen the state’s ability to attract and retain top talent and business. As Whitten proudly noted, each of IU’s campuses has enthusiastically participated in the READI program, partnering with their local communities on a broad array of projects.
Whitten asked the governor about strategic planning efforts and investments that have contributed to Indiana recently being named as the state with America’s best infrastructure in CNBC’s annual America’s Top States for Business rankings and being ranked among the top five for six consecutive years.
“We don’t ever want the slogan ‘crossroads of America’ to just be a slogan. We actually want it to come to life so to speak,” Holcomb said. “Obviously it’s so foundational to our economic climate. It is our physical foundation.”
In her introductory remarks, Whitten outlined the foundation of the IU 2030 strategic plan, which is designed to lead IU boldly into its third century. The framework emphasizes three critical, interconnected areas of concentration: student success and opportunity; transformative research and creativity; and service to the state, nation, and beyond.
“Indiana University is committed to being a leading partner and collaborator to drive innovation, to attract investment and chart a prosperous future for Hoosiers everywhere,” she said.
Read more about the vision of IU 2030
Read more about IU’s participation in READI
Statehouse Update
The IU State Relations team has reviewed every bill that has been introduced at the Statehouse, and determined if and how the bill could impact the university. This Statehouse Update provides a summary of bills the team is tracking and that moved during the sixth week of session. Bills must move out of committee by next week’s deadlines to remain eligible to still become law.
Read the Statehouse Update
Economic Engagement Update
A model for training future entrepreneurs, expanding Indiana’s startup ecosystem
This past week saw the announcement of two major awards -- one local and one national -- that underscored Indiana University’s leadership in educating Indiana’s next standout entrepreneurs and in supporting and advancing the Hoosier state’s most promising business startups.
On Feb. 10, IU’s Kelley School of Business announced that it had been named the recipient of the prestigious 2023 USASBE Model Entrepreneurship Program Award, presented by the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE).
The Model Entrepreneurship Program Award honors the institution with the most comprehensive, high-quality educational program that successfully trains future generations of entrepreneurs. It is one of the association’s Excellence in Entrepreneurship Education Awards, which recognize “bold and innovative programs making an impact.”
“Indiana is an example that other institutions can look to for how to authentically build their own world-class programs,” said Julienne Shields, president and CEO of USASBE. “It is not just what Indiana University built but also how they built it that is compelling as the top model program.”
On Tuesday, Feb. 14, Indianapolis-based growth accelerator TechPoint unveiled the nominees for its 24th annual Mira Awards, which honor the “Best in Tech” in Indiana. Continuing a recent trend, this year’s nominees reflect IU’s successful efforts to advance high-potential startup companies with strong university affiliations, while also contributing to the expansion of Indiana’s technology ecosystem.
Among this year’s Mira Awards nominees are three young companies that are part of the growing investment portfolio of IU Ventures, IU’s early-stage venture and angel investment arm. Each of the companies, Adipo Therapeutics of Indianapolis, Fishers-based spokenote, and Civic Champs of Bloomington, will be featured in the “Product Innovation of the Year” category, which honors scientific achievements, tech R&D efforts and other trailblazing discoveries.
Additionally, Ravi Bhatt, co-founder and CEO of Bloomington-based Folia, another IU Ventures portfolio company, was nominated for the “Rising Entrepreneur Award.” This is the second consecutive year Bhatt will compete for the award, which recognizes Indiana’s most exceptional non-student startup founders or operators of any age and experience.
Read more about the Model Entrepreneurship Program Award
Read more about the MIRA Awards
Taking research in the state to the next level
Joe Carley, Indiana University director of economic development and co-chair of the IU Bloomington 2030 Economic Development Working Group, recently discussed the ways IU plans to more closely connect its research and innovation enterprise with key state initiatives.
Watch the video
IU in the news
IU, Purdue research teams awarded pilot funding through Engineering in Medicine collaboration
Research teams led by faculty at both the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Purdue University College of Engineering were recently awarded pilot grants to fund joint research projects as part of a growing ecosystem of collaboration and integration between the two schools and to continue to build momentum for the planned institute for Engineering in Medicine.
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Over $1.9 million awarded for nanomaterial, medical, computational research
Three faculty at Indiana University Bloomington and IUPUI will receive a total of over $1.9 million from the National Science Foundation to advance research on high-performance computing, cellular mechanics and nanomaterials as recipients of NSF Faculty Early Career Development Awards. Also known as CAREER Awards, these grants are regarded as one the most prestigious awards for early career faculty.
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IU study identifies way to minimize acute kidney injury
A recent discovery by a team of Indiana University School of Medicine researchers led by pioneering scientist Bruce Molitoris may lead to new therapies for patients at a high risk for acute kidney injury, which occurs in an estimated one in five adults and one in three children hospitalized with acute illness.
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$2 million grant to support underrepresented students pursuing biomedical careers
An IUPUI program that helps students from underrepresented minorities and disadvantaged groups pursue careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences has received a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
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B1G Impact Research: A new diagnosis for veterans
A recent Big Ten Network spotlight featured Indiana University School of Medicine researchers who have developed a blood test that could more accurately diagnose military veterans and others with depression, bipolar disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Watch the video
Read more about the research
