The year 2015 is a celebratory one for Princeton University as it not only marks the 10th anniversary for Princeton’s Annual Innovation Forum, but also for the Keller Center, which has held the Innovation Forum each year.
The forum showcases Princeton researchers and innovators whose work has the potential to create life-changing, commercialized technologies.
In honor of the anniversaries, past directors were invited to speak about the contributions they made to bring the Keller Center to the success it is today. This includes $30,000 in prize money that will be shared among the top three researchers presenting their work at the day’s event.
Following the welcoming remarks from Mung Chiang, the current director of the Keller Center, each researcher gave a three-minute formal presentation of their innovation. This was followed by two minutes of Q&A from a panel of judges who have demonstrated leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship.
First place was awarded to Mark Esposito, a molecular biology graduate student who presented “A New Way to Discover a Cure for Cancer.” Esposito’s research focused on treating the interactions cancerous cells make to spread throughout the body rather than treating cancerous tumors. This approach led him to identify the single class of enzyme that enables cancerous cells to communicate.
Blake Johnson, a postdoctoral researcher in the mechanical and aerospace engineering department, won second place for his presentation, “3D Printed Customized Nerve Regeneration Pathways.” His discoveries led to a unique approach to nerve repair surgeries using 3D printing, scanning and imaging technologies. Johnson creates synthetic tissue scaffolds that mimic the physical and biochemical structure of a patient-specific nerve tissue.
The third place winner, Kelly Caylor, is an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, who presented “PulsePod,” an affordable environmental sensor that monitors crop health, microclimate, water and nutrients. The PulsePod is also equipped with Wi-Fi, cellular connection and more.
A keynote titled “The Innovation Journey” was given by Steve Papa, a 1994 Princeton graduate and founder of Parallel Wireless & Endeca.
To conclude the event, an awards ceremony was held to present the top three entries, with awards totaling $30,000.
