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Long Island Biomentoring Initiative Established

Program Established to Foster Vibrant Bioscience Cluster in the Region

On Friday, November 18th at the Long Island High Technology Incubator, the Long Island BioMentor Initiative (LIBMI) will be hosting its first full-day mentor training session for the founding mentors of the new initiative. Led by the Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University and Accelerate Long Island, the LIBMI has been established on behalf of the Long Island Bioscience Hub – an NIH-designated Research, Evaluation, and Commercialization Hub. The LIBMI is a platform to bring highly qualified, volunteer mentors together with motivated, early-stage bioentrepreneurs to provide guidance and support as they advance their business strategy.

The LIBMI is based on the successful mentoring model developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Venture Mentoring Service (VMS), and created in collaboration with Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Hofstra University, and the Feinstein Institute at Northwell Health Systems. Through MIT VMS’s team mentoring approach, the LIBMI aims to provide objective and unbiased advice that will help entrepreneurs navigate the challenging landscape that growing bioscience ventures face. Mentors participating in the November 18th training session led by a MIT VMS Co-Director will benefit from curriculum and interactive teachings along with a mentoring session with one of the first entrepreneurs chosen to serve as mentee.

“There is an abundance of innovation on Long Island as well as a growing pool of entrepreneurs looking to create ventures that will take root and grow in the region” said Mark Lesko, Board Member, Accelerate Long Island. Diane Fabel, Director of Operations for the Center for Biotechnology added “Establishing a formal mentoring program, specifically for the bioscience sector, is critical as these companies need diverse support in order for them to thrive.”

The initiative employs the team mentoring approach and brings together experts with great depth and a range of experiences. The members of the founding mentor team include Dr. Linda Amper, Chief People Officer of Clever Devices; Dr. Gian Luca Araldi, founder and principal of US Pharma Services; Kara Cannon, Global Head of Sales & Marketing of Enzo Life Sciences, Inc.; Dr. Anil Dhundale, former Executive Director of the Long Island High Technology Incubator; Dr. Wayne Koff, President and CEO of Human Vaccines Project; Ric Overton, President of Overton Operations Advisors; Jeff Peacock, VP Global Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs at Henry Schein, Inc.; Dr. Saied Tousi, Managing Director for NW Advisors; and Edward Travaglianti, Market President of Long Island for TD Bank.

The entire process is guided by a statement of principles to ensure confidentiality and a conflict free environment. The initiative will build upon a suite of services and resources provided by the NIH-designated Research, Evaluation, and Commercialization Hub (LI Bioscience Hub), Accelerate Long Island and the Emerging Technology Fund, the New York State Center for Advanced Technology in Medical Biotechnology.

“It’s important to me to help support the entrepreneurial ecosystem on Long Island” founding mentor Ed Travaglianti stated, “and the team approach expands our capacity, allowing us to mentor more than one entrepreneur.”

Learn more about the Long Island BioMentor Initiative here.

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Attention Stony Brook University Faculy and Staff: Applications for the second cycle of the President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF) opened August 3, 2026. Open to all Stony Brook faculty and staff, this special initiative supports immediate-impact projects that can be launched quickly and deliver results within six to ten months.

The FIF provides awards of up to $300,000 focused on low‑investment, high‑reward initiatives that create visible, positive change. Examples of projects that would be considered include specialized equipment or technology acquisitions, pilot programs or proof‑of‑concept initiatives, targeted renovations or seed funding, among other opportunities.

All proposals must include a customized, high-level budget and be endorsed by the relevant vice president or dean with authority to implement the project. Applications for the August cycle will be available beginning August 3 with submissions due Friday, August 21 by 5 pm, ET. Please visit the Fast Impact Fund website for additional information and to submit an application.

[post_title] => SBU President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF) [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => sbu-presidents-fast-impact-fund-fif [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2026-08-19 08:30:44 [post_modified_gmt] => 2026-08-19 12:30:44 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=5031 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2180 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2016-05-03 18:24:23 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-05-03 18:24:23 [post_content] => The Center for Biotechnology has announced the recipients of the 2016-2017 Applied Research & Development (ARAD) awards. The ARAD Program is designed to help bridge the gap between the early-stage technology discovery and development capabilities of the academic community and the later-stage commercial development interests of the bioscience industry. The program currently provides matching funds on a competitive basis to support collaborations between Stony Brook University faculty and NY State corporate partners in all areas of medical biotechnology. The primary interest is in supporting development of technologies that will help companies hit commercially relevant milestones, and that have the potential to positively impact the New York State economy. The projects funded include:
  • ICU Temporary Pacemaker - Dr. Wei Lin and Avery Biomedical Device, Inc.
  • Novel Synergistic and Pleiotropic Skin Brightening Agents - Dr. Sanford Simon and Biocogent, LLC
  • Continued In vivo Testing of Vaccine Candidates - Dr. Eckard Wimmer and Cogadenix, Inc.
  • Advanced Fistula-in-Ano Treatment Device - Dr. Tom Zimmerman and Pepper5, Inc.
  • Development of Nanoemulsion-PUFA-taxoids as Tumor-Targeted Chemotherapeutics - Dr. Iwao Ojima and TargaGenix, Inc.
  • Initial Pre-Clinical Safety Assessment of TRB-N0224 - Dr. Lorne Golub and Traverse Biosciences, Inc.
  • Evaluation of a Continuous Visible Light Disinfection System's Ability to Reduce Bioburden and Subsequently the Incidence of Infections and Colonizations in an Active Patient Area - Dr. Annie Rohan and Vital Vio, Inc.
More information about the Applied Research & Development (ARAD) program, as well as all Center for Biotechnology Technology Development programs can be found here. [post_title] => Applied Research and Development Awards Announced [post_excerpt] => The Center for Biotechnology has announced the recipients of the 2016-2017 Applied Research & Development (ARAD) awards. Matching funds have been awarded to seven projects in support of collaborations between Stony Brook University faculty and NY State corporate partners in all areas of medical biotechnology. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => applied-research-and-development-awards-announced [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-05-06 18:19:05 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-05-06 18:19:05 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=2180 [menu_order] => 183 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2563 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2017-01-12 19:50:10 [post_date_gmt] => 2017-01-12 19:50:10 [post_content] => New York City based start-up Celmatix has unveiled “Fertilome”, a DNA-based fertility test. The company describes Fertilome as the “first genetic screen that examines a woman’s genetic signature and how it may impact her reproductive health and ability to conceive, today and in the future.” Fertilome looks at 49 variants in 32 genes associated with a broad spectrum of female reproductive conditions. Information derived from the test could allow women to see a broader picture of their fertility, allowing for a more proactive approach to planning their family and overcoming fertility issues. Click here to read more about Celmatix and Fertilome. [post_title] => Celmatix unveils Fertilome [post_excerpt] => New York City based start-up Celmatix has unveiled “Fertilome”, a DNA-based fertility test. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => celmatix-unveils-fertilome [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2017-02-28 14:29:44 [post_modified_gmt] => 2017-02-28 14:29:44 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=2563 [menu_order] => 154 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2383 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2016-08-08 19:29:30 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-08-08 19:29:30 [post_content] => Check out the newly designed Center for Biotechnology newsletter! Catch up on client financings, newcos, expansions, and other happenings. And if you're not already...be sure to follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook for the latest Center news. [post_title] => Summer 2016 Newsletter [post_excerpt] => The Center for Biotechnology is thrilled to present our newly designed newsletter. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => summer-2016-newsletter [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2017-01-09 15:09:13 [post_modified_gmt] => 2017-01-09 15:09:13 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=2383 [menu_order] => 166 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 4 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 5031 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2026-08-10 12:17:19 [post_date_gmt] => 2026-08-10 16:17:19 [post_content] =>

Attention Stony Brook University Faculy and Staff: Applications for the second cycle of the President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF) opened August 3, 2026. Open to all Stony Brook faculty and staff, this special initiative supports immediate-impact projects that can be launched quickly and deliver results within six to ten months.

The FIF provides awards of up to $300,000 focused on low‑investment, high‑reward initiatives that create visible, positive change. Examples of projects that would be considered include specialized equipment or technology acquisitions, pilot programs or proof‑of‑concept initiatives, targeted renovations or seed funding, among other opportunities.

All proposals must include a customized, high-level budget and be endorsed by the relevant vice president or dean with authority to implement the project. Applications for the August cycle will be available beginning August 3 with submissions due Friday, August 21 by 5 pm, ET. Please visit the Fast Impact Fund website for additional information and to submit an application.

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SBU President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF)

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Applied Research and Development Awards Announced

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Celmatix unveils Fertilome

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Summer 2016 Newsletter

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