The announcement that Newark will host the Amazon Alexa-sponsored VOICE Technology Summit continues the city’s rise as an innovation hub. Read more in this week’s Innovation NJ Update.
Newark Teams with NJIT to Host Amazon-Sponsored Tech Summit, Joins Network of Connected Cities The city of Newark continues its rise as a budding hub of high-tech innovation. At a press conference April 4, NJIT President Joel Bloom joined Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka to announce the city will host the Amazon Alexa-sponsored VOICE Technology Summit July 24-26 on the NJIT campus. “This is the best place to be in a tech economy,” said Mayor Baraka of New Jersey’s largest city, which is home to Amazon-owned Audible, the largest seller of audiobooks, and is one of 20 cities on the shortlist vying for the ecommerce behemoth’s second corporate seat, HQ2.
Rutgers embraces concept of collaboration with other NJ universities According to ROI, “With more than $650 million in annual research expenditures, Rutgers University is outdoing itself. But it isn’t doing it itself. More than ever, even with its Garden State research engine never running stronger, Rutgers teams with other New Jersey universities to conduct research projects. Christopher Molloy, senior vice president for research and economic development at Rutgers University, explained that schools across the state aren’t inclined to work alone, as once was the case.”
Lozano to replace Brown as head of Choose New Jersey Jose Lozano is expected to take over as the new head of Choose New Jersey, replacing Michele Brown, three people with knowledge of the move told ROI-NJ. All of the people requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak on the subject. Lozano, the chief of staff at Hackensack Meridian Health, most recently served as the head of Gov. Phil Murphy’s transition team. The timing of the potential move is unclear. One source said the announcement could come as soon as the next Choose New Jersey board meeting, scheduled for April 19.
NJIT / AWIS New Jersey I-Corps Site Life Sciences Summer Accelerator
The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds Innovation Corps (I-Corps™) sites to increase participation and promote inclusion of underrepresented populations in the National Innovation Network for differently-abled individuals, first-generation college students, racial and ethnic minorities and women. Research over the past 46 years on STEM innovation and entrepreneurship by Association for Women in Science (AWIS) and other organizations demonstrates that women entrepreneurs face organizational, cultural, implicit bias and inclusion challenges.
Gov. Murphy Lauds Federal Approval of 169 Opportunity Zones in NJ
Governor Murphy announced that the United States Department of Treasury has approved his 169 recommended designations for Opportunity Zones throughout the Garden State. The Opportunity Zone Program is designed to drive long-term capital investments into low-income rural and urban communities. “I’m pleased the Treasury Department has accepted all 169 sites I proposed last month for designation as Opportunity Zones,” said Governor Murphy. “Now, these cities and towns will have additional means to generate economic growth throughout their respective communities and, more importantly, create economic opportunities for their residents.”
NSF presents prestigious CAREER awards to two Rowan professors
No doubt Drs. Martin Haase and Gustavo Moura-Letts are on the CAREER fast track. The National Science Foundation recently presented the two Rowan University professors with CAREER: The Faculty Early Career Development Program awards. That’s heady for two professors fewer than 10 years out of graduate school. CAREER awards are as prestigious as they come for young faculty, going to those the NSF determines “have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization.”
Princeton Expands Boundaries of Its Already World-renowned Research
From ROI-NJ, Dean for research is a big job at a research university with as much clout as Princeton. Pablo Debenedetti, who was named the prestigious university’s dean for research five years ago, handles a great deal. It’s just not a job that comes with a lot of publicity or notoriety. But even though Debenedetti is scarcely quoted in media, he’s busy behind the scenes, working directly with Princeton’s provost and other senior leaders in encouraging the sort of innovation that has long made Princeton a world-renown campus for research.
Upcoming Events
Lerner Annual Healthcare Symposium
When: Wednesday, April 25, 8:30am – 1:30pm
Where: Rutgers Business School – 1 Washington Place – Newark
NJBIA: Business Bootcamp: Securing Financing for Your Business
When: Wednesday, April 25, 8:30am – 10:30am
Where: 10 W Lafayette St, Trenton
Biotech Venture Funding from Foundations
When: Wednesday, April 25, 5pm – 7pm
Where: CCIT, 675 US Highway One, North Brunswick
Eric LeGrand: Rutgers University Football Star and Motivational Speaker
When: Thursday, April 26, 11am – 12pm
Where: Rutgers University Biomedical Engineering Auditorium – 599 Taylor Rd – Piscataway
2018 Economic Policy Forum – A Tale of Tech Cities: Innovation & Urban Revitalization
When: Monday, April 30, 9am – 1pm
Where: New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St, Newark5th Annual
New Jersey Big Data Alliance Symposium
When: Monday, April 30, 2018
Where: The College of New Jersey, 2000 Pennington Rd, Ewing Township
