The Bench2Market Talks series is created to provide commercialization guidance to the university research community. For more details on the series, visit our website.

• Informative lectures from leading experts
• Hands-on training in small groups
• Proteomics and metabolomics applications
• Native mass spectrometry and UHMR
• HDX-MS and cross-linking MS
• Data analysis using multiple software platforms (e.g., MaxQuant, Compound Discoverer, Proteome Discoverer, etc.)

AGENDA OUTLINE
Oct. 7: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Oct. 8: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Oct. 9: 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

ABSTRACT
The plasma membrane serves as the critical interface where cells endure and respond to their physical environment. We recently revealed that the PIEZO1 mechanosensing axis actively safeguards membrane integrity through a hierarchical, two-layer mechanoprotective mechanism. This involves rapid architectural buffering followed by a calcium-dependent positive feedback loop engaging Calmodulin and Filamin A to reinforce cortical stability. This fundamental discovery in mechanoprotection serves as the blueprint for our translational innovations in "Thrombo-protective Oncology." By engineering a microfluidic "CAT-on-chip" to recapitulate venous shear stress, we discovered that metastatic cancer cells exploit a strikingly similar mechanobiological network to trigger pathological clotting. Specifically, tumor-induced hypercoagulation is driven by a Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK)-Calmodulin (CaM) axis, which structurally "decrypts" Tissue Factor (TF) by disengaging it from cytoskeletal Filamin A. To translate these microfluidic discoveries into clinical practice, we developed "SmartClot", an AI-driven Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) platform that rapidly stratifies cancer-driven thrombotic risk using blood diffusion kinetics. This seminar will highlight how decoding fundamental nanoscale mechanosensing paves the way for next-generation diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.

BIO
Professor Lining Arnold Ju (PhD, GAICD, FHEA) is a Snow Fellow, Australian Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellow, and recipient of the Australian Academy of Science John Booker Medal. He received his PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Georgia Tech and Emory University in 2013 and now directs the Mechanobiology and Biomechanics Laboratory (MBL) at the University of Sydney's School of Biomedical Engineering.

Ju’s research operates at the intersection of fundamental mechanobiology and biomedical engineering. His team recently decoded the PIEZO1 mechanosensing axis and has pioneered multiple biomechanical nanotools, including multi-parametric thrombus profiling microfluidics ("CAT-on-chip") and patient-specific vessel-on-a-chip platforms. His novel understanding of the mechanics behind blood clot formation has directly driven the development of point-of-care testing (POCT) technologies, such as the machine learning-assisted SmartClot diagnostic tool. His overarching vision integrates advanced biomanufacturing, high-throughput microfluidic phenotyping, and generative AI to create intelligent biosensing technologies to predict and prevent cardiovascular and cancer-associated thrombotic risks.

Andrés García, faculty host

• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
• Emory University
• Florida State University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Georgia State University
• Medical University of South Carolina
• Mercer University
• Morehouse School of Medicine
• University of Alabama at Birmingham
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia
• University of Miami
  
   

ABOUT THE ACADEMY:
This eight-week proposal development academy will orient researchers to NIH and its most frequently used award mechanisms – the R01. This program will review the core components of R01 applications, provide suggestions for structuring your proposal, and demystify the review process.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE? 
This academy is best suited for early-career faculty members and others who have not yet secured an R01 or equivalent award. Applicants at any stage of readiness are welcome, and those committed to applying within the next six to 12 months are particularly encouraged to join.

WHEN & WHERE?
Courses will take place via Zoom on Mondays from 12 - 1 p.m., Sept. 28 - Nov. 16.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY:
This eight-week proposal development academy will orient researchers to NIH and its most frequently used award mechanisms – the R01. This program will review the core components of R01 applications, provide suggestions for structuring your proposal, and demystify the review process.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE? 
This academy is best suited for early-career faculty members and others who have not yet secured an R01 or equivalent award. Applicants at any stage of readiness are welcome, and those committed to applying within the next six to 12 months are particularly encouraged to join.

WHEN & WHERE?
Courses will take place via Zoom on Mondays from 12 - 1 p.m., Sept. 28 - Nov. 16.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY:
This eight-week proposal development academy will orient researchers to NIH and its most frequently used award mechanisms – the R01. This program will review the core components of R01 applications, provide suggestions for structuring your proposal, and demystify the review process.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE? 
This academy is best suited for early-career faculty members and others who have not yet secured an R01 or equivalent award. Applicants at any stage of readiness are welcome, and those committed to applying within the next six to 12 months are particularly encouraged to join.

WHEN & WHERE?
Courses will take place via Zoom on Mondays from 12 - 1 p.m., Sept. 28 - Nov. 16.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY:
This eight-week proposal development academy will orient researchers to NIH and its most frequently used award mechanisms – the R01. This program will review the core components of R01 applications, provide suggestions for structuring your proposal, and demystify the review process.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE? 
This academy is best suited for early-career faculty members and others who have not yet secured an R01 or equivalent award. Applicants at any stage of readiness are welcome, and those committed to applying within the next six to 12 months are particularly encouraged to join.

WHEN & WHERE?
Courses will take place via Zoom on Mondays from 12 - 1 p.m., Sept. 28 - Nov. 16.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY:
This eight-week proposal development academy will orient researchers to NIH and its most frequently used award mechanisms – the R01. This program will review the core components of R01 applications, provide suggestions for structuring your proposal, and demystify the review process.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE? 
This academy is best suited for early-career faculty members and others who have not yet secured an R01 or equivalent award. Applicants at any stage of readiness are welcome, and those committed to applying within the next six to 12 months are particularly encouraged to join.

WHEN & WHERE?
Courses will take place via Zoom on Mondays from 12 - 1 p.m., Sept. 28 - Nov. 16.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY:
This eight-week proposal development academy will orient researchers to NIH and its most frequently used award mechanisms – the R01. This program will review the core components of R01 applications, provide suggestions for structuring your proposal, and demystify the review process.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE? 
This academy is best suited for early-career faculty members and others who have not yet secured an R01 or equivalent award. Applicants at any stage of readiness are welcome, and those committed to applying within the next six to 12 months are particularly encouraged to join.

WHEN & WHERE?
Courses will take place via Zoom on Mondays from 12 - 1 p.m., Sept. 28 - Nov. 16.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY:
This eight-week proposal development academy will orient researchers to NIH and its most frequently used award mechanisms – the R01. This program will review the core components of R01 applications, provide suggestions for structuring your proposal, and demystify the review process.

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE? 
This academy is best suited for early-career faculty members and others who have not yet secured an R01 or equivalent award. Applicants at any stage of readiness are welcome, and those committed to applying within the next six to 12 months are particularly encouraged to join.

WHEN & WHERE?
Courses will take place via Zoom on Mondays from 12 - 1 p.m., Sept. 28 - Nov. 16.

• Agilent - Life Science
• BMG LABTECH
• Corning Incorporated - Life Sciences
• Cytek BioSciences
• Eppendorf
• Fisher Scientific - Research and Safety
• GenScript USA Inc.
• Hunt Optics & Imaging Inc.
• ibidi
• IKA Works Inc.
• Laxco Inc.
• MilliporeSigma - Lab Water
• MilliporeSigma - Discovery Solutions
• Percival Scientific
• QIAGEN
• Quintara Biosciences - Sales
• R&D Systems - Reagent Sciences, Analytical Sciences
• Sartorius Corporation - Lab Essentials 
• Slingshot Biosciences Inc.
• Standard Biotools
• STERIS Corporation - Life Sciences
• Thermo Fisher Scientific - Laboratory Consumables Products
• Thermo Fisher Scientific - Bioscience division
• USA Scientific
• VWR
  
  Registration includes:
• One six-foot exhibit table, two chairs - electricity available upon request
• Event promotion across campus and throughout Georgia Tech's bio community
• One complimentary parking pass per vendor company registration (to be used in the Area 5 Visitor Parking Deck only)
• Lunch vouchers at IBB's Bob's Café for up to two company representatives

Note

• Exhibit tables are limited, a maximum of two company representatives may attend per vendor registration
• A maximum of three exhibitor tables per company/organization will be accepted*
  • *Additional Table Availability: If exhibitor tables remain unsold two weeks prior to the event (beginning Oct. 14, 2026), any remaining tables will be released for open registration. At that time, companies that have already reached the three-table limit may register for additional exhibitor tables on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.
• Proceeds support the annual operations of the Bioengineering and Bioscience Unified Graduate Students (BBUGS)

Raffle Contribution Request:
Each exhibitor is encouraged to donate a promotional item (valued under $75) for attendee drawings throughout the event. 

• Lunch provided for in-person attendees
• REGISTER HERE for virtual attendance

Presented by:
Anjali Kumar - Pharma/Biotech CBO, Scientist, Advisor  
Vincent Ling - Chief Business Officer, Morphocell Technologies  

This interactive fireside conversation will explore key trends shaping pharma and biotech and what they mean for academic innovators and early-stage startups. Brief opening perspectives will set the stage, followed by an audience-driven Q&A and discussion.

 

• Attend in-person at the Petit Biotechnology Building (IBB) - Lunch provided, while supplies last
• REGISTER HERE for virtual participation link

Presented by: 
Roman Zantl, ibidi CEO
Jenna Rogalinski, Sr. Technical Sales Representative

This workshop co-hosted by the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience and the Institute for Matter and Systems will introduce researchers to ibidi technologies supporting cell-based research, microfluidics, hydrogel modeling, microscopy, and perfusion-based applications. Activities will include:

• Presentation by Roman Zantl, ibidi CEO.
• Introduction to the new ibidi Micro Illumination System
• Hands-on demonstrations using hydrogel materials.
• Integration of the Micro Illumination System with the ibidi Pump System.
• Opportunities to discuss individual research applications and perfusion system needs.
• Networking with ibidi representatives and members of the Georgia Tech research community.
• Food will be provided and photos will be taken.

Pre-Event Webinar | Tuesday Oct. 13 from 1-1:30 p.m.
This webinar will introduce the ibidi and the Micro Illumination System and will act as a pre-requisite for people who are not familiar with the technology. Registration is required for this webinar

 Agenda
10 – 10:30 a.m. - Check-in
10:30 – 11 a.m. - Opening Remarks (Roman Zantl)
11 a.m. – 12 p.m. - Seminar and Demonstration
12 – 1 p.m. - Lunch and Networking
1 – 2 p.m. - Demo in IBB 1120

*Attendees are welcome to register for and attend only Roman Zantl's presentation.

ABSTRACT
Using patients’ own T cells, engineered and redirected to target cancer, have now been established as a standard of care in certain blood cancers such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Dr. Maus will discuss novel designs of chimeric antigen receptors and modifications to enhance T cells and the main challenges and future prospects for the development and use of this powerful form of immunotherapy.

BIO
Marcela Maus grew up in New York, NY and attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology for her undergraduate degree in Biology and Literature. She then earned her MD, PhD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine where she studied the biology of human T cell activation under the direction of her PhD mentor, Dr. Carl June. After completing her doctorate degrees, Marcela did a one-year postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Kathy High at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia studying patient immune responses to liver-directed AAV-mediate gene transfer as a treatment for hemophilia. She then completed her clinical training in internal medicine, hematology, and oncology as a resident at the University of Pennsylvania Health System and a fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. While at Memorial Sloan Kettering, she worked in Michel Sadelain’s lab to engineer new genetically modified T cells to target the cancer-testis antigen NY-ESO-1 and received specialized training in Phase I developmental therapeutics. She was also awarded a K08 grant by the NIH to facilitate her transition to a faculty position.

Following her extensive training (11 years), Marcela returned to the University of Pennsylvania in 2012, where she was recruited by her former PhD mentor, to expand their research efforts in the development of CAR T cells for lymphoma, myeloma, and other cancers. While there, Marcela continued her efforts on preclinical development of CAR T cells and correlative studies of CAR T cell-related toxicities and resistance to therapies. They discovered and reported on the first cases of anaphylaxis to CAR T cells and off target cross-reactivity. She also led an entire arc of translational research, from preclinical testing to a first-in-human clinical trial of EGFRvIII CAR T cells for treatment of recurrent glioblastoma. Correlative data collected from this trial led to an understanding of CAR T resistant mechanisms that have led further refinement of these CAR T cells, which is one current area of focus in her current laboratory and has led to the development of another Phase I clinical trial for GBM patients.

Now, Dr. Maus is a Professor of Hematology and Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where she runs a laboratory focused on developing and improving CAR T cell therapy for cancer patients while also periodically attending for the bone marrow transplant service. Marcela is the Paula O-Keeffe Endowed Chair of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and the Director of the Cellular Immunotherapy Program. She has won numerous awards for her transformative research and is achieving her goal of using science to determine the best way to treat patients by harnessing the power of the immune system to solve intractable problems like cancer. She also enjoys training clinicians and scientists and watching her mentees succeed and become independent scientists and collaborators.

Join faculty from across the Georgia CTSA for an energetic and dynamic virtual networking session!

• Do you have a patentable invention and want to protect it?
• Interested in commercializing your research either through licensing to an existing company or a startup?
• Want to learn about the commercialization resources available for entrepreneurs?

Stop by the IP and Commercialization Office Hours in the IBB atrium and meet with experts from the Office of Technology Licensing and Quadrant-i. We are at your service!  

The Experts:

• Cynthia Sundell, Senior Director of Life Sciences and Quadrant-i Principal
• Harold Solomon, Quadrant-i Principal
• Kashmira Kulkarni, Licensing Associate Office of Technology Licensing

• Do you have a patentable invention and want to protect it?
• Interested in commercializing your research either through licensing to an existing company or a startup?
• Want to learn about the commercialization resources available for entrepreneurs?

Stop by the IP and Commercialization Office Hours in the IBB atrium and meet with experts from the Office of Technology Licensing and Quadrant-i. We are at your service!  

The Experts:

• Cynthia Sundell, Senior Director of Life Sciences and Quadrant-i Principal
• Harold Solomon, Quadrant-i Principal
• Kashmira Kulkarni, Licensing Associate Office of Technology Licensing

• Do you have a patentable invention and want to protect it?
• Interested in commercializing your research either through licensing to an existing company or a startup?
• Want to learn about the commercialization resources available for entrepreneurs?

Stop by the IP and Commercialization Office Hours in the IBB atrium and meet with experts from the Office of Technology Licensing and Quadrant-i. We are at your service!  

The Experts:

• Cynthia Sundell, Senior Director of Life Sciences and Quadrant-i Principal
• Harold Solomon, Quadrant-i Principal
• Kashmira Kulkarni, Licensing Associate Office of Technology Licensing

• Do you have a patentable invention and want to protect it?
• Interested in commercializing your research either through licensing to an existing company or a startup?
• Want to learn about the commercialization resources available for entrepreneurs?

Stop by the IP and Commercialization Office Hours in the IBB atrium and meet with experts from the Office of Technology Licensing and Quadrant-i. We are at your service!  

The Experts:

• Cynthia Sundell, Senior Director of Life Sciences and Quadrant-i Principal
• Harold Solomon, Quadrant-i Principal
• Kashmira Kulkarni, Licensing Associate Office of Technology Licensing

• Do you have a patentable invention and want to protect it?
• Interested in commercializing your research either through licensing to an existing company or a startup?
• Want to learn about the commercialization resources available for entrepreneurs?

Stop by the IP and Commercialization Office Hours in the IBB atrium and meet with experts from the Office of Technology Licensing and Quadrant-i. We are at your service!  

The Experts:

• Cynthia Sundell, Senior Director of Life Sciences and Quadrant-i Principal
• Harold Solomon, Quadrant-i Principal
• Kashmira Kulkarni, Licensing Associate Office of Technology Licensing

• Do you have a patentable invention and want to protect it?
• Interested in commercializing your research either through licensing to an existing company or a startup?
• Want to learn about the commercialization resources available for entrepreneurs?

Stop by the IP and Commercialization Office Hours in the IBB atrium and meet with experts from the Office of Technology Licensing and Quadrant-i. We are at your service!  

The Experts:

• Cynthia Sundell, Senior Director of Life Sciences and Quadrant-i Principal
• Harold Solomon, Quadrant-i Principal
• Kashmira Kulkarni, Licensing Associate Office of Technology Licensing

• Do you have a patentable invention and want to protect it?
• Interested in commercializing your research either through licensing to an existing company or a startup?
• Want to learn about the commercialization resources available for entrepreneurs?

Stop by the IP and Commercialization Office Hours in the IBB atrium and meet with experts from the Office of Technology Licensing and Quadrant-i. We are at your service!  

The Experts:

• Cynthia Sundell, Senior Director of Life Sciences and Quadrant-i Principal
• Harold Solomon, Quadrant-i Principal
• Kashmira Kulkarni, Licensing Associate Office of Technology Licensing

• Do you have a patentable invention and want to protect it?
• Interested in commercializing your research either through licensing to an existing company or a startup?
• Want to learn about the commercialization resources available for entrepreneurs?

Stop by the IP and Commercialization Office Hours in the IBB atrium and meet with experts from the Office of Technology Licensing and Quadrant-i. We are at your service!  

The Experts:

• Cynthia Sundell, Senior Director of Life Sciences and Quadrant-i Principal
• Harold Solomon, Quadrant-i Principal
• Kashmira Kulkarni, Licensing Associate Office of Technology Licensing

C. Shawn Burke
University of Central Florida

Establishing and maintaining a productive research team is a difficult challenge across all stages of an academic’s career. The science of good teamwork applies across an academic career: from incorporating graduate students and post-docs to your first research team to crossing-boundaries in the creation and maintenance of an interdisciplinary expert team. In conjunction with Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance, we are offering a skill series to develop the skills necessary to build and maintain your research team by leveraging existing teams research. This workshop will focus on leadership within your team. Graduate students, post-docs, and all levels of academic faculty are all welcome to attend this workshop.

Team consult opportunity:

Our Team Science Skills presenters have graciously opened their schedules to provide a limited amount of attendees with direct feedback and guidance on their personal team issues. During a one-hour consulting session, attendees will be able to directly ask our experts questions and get personalized advice on how to effectively move their team forward. Requesters must attend the full session and complete the post-evaluation survey to be eligible. 

Team consult opportunity:

Our Team Science Skills presenters have graciously opened their schedules to provide a limited amount of attendees with direct feedback and guidance on their personal team issues. During a one-hour consulting session, attendees will be able to directly ask our experts questions and get personalized advice on how to effectively move their team forward. Requesters must attend the full session and complete the post-evaluation survey to be eligible.

Register HERE to participate virtually

Ashish Ranjan is an Endowed Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology. He also serves as Vice Chair for Comparative Oncology and Research Innovation and Director of the Veterinary Research and Oncology Clinic. He earned his B.V.Sc. degree (DVM equivalent) from Madras Veterinary College, in Chennai, India, followed by a Ph.D. in biomedical and veterinary sciences from Virginia Tech. Ranjan was then a visiting fellow at the Center for Interventional Oncology, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Ranjan's research interests are in the application of device-directed nanoparticles for solid tumor chemo-immunotherapy. His lab is actively engaged in preclinical and bench-to-bedside veterinary clinical trials and has received funding from several federal, state, and private sources. Ranjan has received several distinguished awards, including the NIH Merit Award. He also serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of Focused Ultrasound Foundation, UK's Humanimal Trust, and NIH panels.

Faculty host: Yue Chen

 

Register HERE to participate virtually

Bianxiao Cui is the Job and Gertrud Tamaki Professor of Chemistry and a fellow of the Wu Tsai Stanford Neuroscience Institute at Stanford University. She holds a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry from the University of Chicago and a BS degree from the University of Science and Technology of China. Cui develops new tools to study the nano-bio interface, membrane curvature, electrophysiology, and signal transduction in cells at normal and disease conditions. As a scientist and a teacher, she enjoys working with young scholars to explore the natural world with scientific innovations. Research in her group spans the disciplines of biophysics, cell biology, chemistry, material science, nanotechnology, and neurobiology. Her awards and distinctions include Ono Pharma Breakthrough Science Initiative award, Barany Award from the Biophysical Society, NIH New Innovator Award, NSF CAREER award, NSF Inspire award, Packard Fellowships in Science and Engineering, Hellman Scholar, Searle Scholar Award and Dreyfus New Faculty Award.

Faculty host: Cheng Zhu

 

Meetings are open to Members, Guests, Sponsors, Partners, and presenting Entrepreneurs from any of our Keiretsu Forum Global chapters and regions.

Due to SEC 506(c) regulations guests MUST pre-register to attend our meetings.

Meetings are open to Members, Guests, Sponsors, Partners, and presenting Entrepreneurs from any of our Keiretsu Forum Global chapters and regions.

Due to SEC 506(c) regulations guests MUST pre-register to attend our meetings.

Meetings are open to Members, Guests, Sponsors, Partners, and presenting Entrepreneurs from any of our Keiretsu Forum Global chapters and regions.

Due to SEC 506(c) regulations guests MUST pre-register to attend our meetings.

He is Professor of Bioengineering and Materials Science at UC Berkeley and Faculty Scientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, the Materials Research Society and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In addition to his research, he mentors and teaches students in the fields of biomaterials design, materials science, polymer science, and nanomedicine.

Faculty host: Felipe Quiroz

 

Special emphasis is given to Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine and particular applications and more details are described on the lab web page.

Faculty host: Alexander Vlahos

 

BIO
Jeffrey Hubbell is a pioneer in the field of immuno-modulatory materials whose research spans biology, chemistry, and engineering to generate novel solutions to common health problems. His work focuses on using biomaterials and engineered proteins to enhance the body’s own immune system to fight inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, allergies, and disease states like cancers. With more than 400 papers and 100 issued US patents, Hubbell uses biomaterials and protein engineering approaches to investigate topics in regenerative medicine and immunotherapeutics. In regenerative medicine, he develops both materials and protein therapeutics to address issues such as chronic wound healing in diabetes and bone repair after trauma. In immunotherapeutics, he pursues nanomaterials in vaccination for infectious disease and cancer as well as targeted therapy with RNA, protein-material conjugates for inverse vaccines to induce antigen-specific tolerance in autoimmunity and allergy, and in protein therapy to tip immune balances toward aggression in immuno-oncology and toward tolerance in inflammatory disease. His interests are both basic and translational, having founded or co-founded six biomedical companies based on his technology.

Before moving to New York University, Hubbell was at the University of Chicago in the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, where he helped build its strength in immunoengineering. Prior to that, he was on the faculty of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL, where he served as founding Director of the Institute of Bioengineering and Dean of the School of Life Sciences), the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ) and University of Zurich, the California Institute of Technology, and the University of Texas in Austin. He was elected to the US National Academy of Engineering in 2010, the National Academy of Medicine in 2019, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021, and the National Academy of Sciences in 2023.