Back to News & Events

Dr. Louis A. Peña appointed Director, Program in Life Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship & Associate Professor of Practice

The Center for Biotechnology has announced the appointment of Dr. Louis A. Peña as Director of the new Program in Life Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Additionally, Dr. Peña has been appointed as Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the College of Business at Stony Brook University.

The Professor of Practice will steward the University’s Advanced Graduate Certificate in Life Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which was established under Empire State Development’s Life Science Entrepreneur Development award, and further develop educational and experiential learning initiatives. The Director of the Program in Life Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship will build upon the Center’s efforts to synergize technology and business accelerator activities with opportunities for students to gain real-world technology commercialization experience.

Prior to joining the Center for Biotechnology and Stony Brook University, Dr. Peña held leadership positions in both industry and academia. He is experienced with startup and early stage companies. Commercializing scientific discoveries he made at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Dr. Peña co-developed a biotech startup that took a biomaterial from idea to clinical trials and acquisition. He later served as Chief Scientific Officer of a biopharma Contract Research Organization. Dr. Peña has also consulted for technology startups in bioagriculture, medical devices, medical imaging, and energy, supporting technology assessment, market assessment, and business strategy.

“We are excited to have Louis join the Center for Biotechnology and Stony Brook University to further our efforts of expanding entrepreneurial education in the life sciences” Diane Fabel, Director of Operations at the Center for Biotechnology said. She continued “His industry involvement, coupled with his academic experiences allow him to bring a unique perspective to the role and for students in our programs to benefit from his real-world experience.”

“I am very happy to join the team at the Center for Biotechnology and my colleagues at Stony Brook University. The Center has a great, established foundation of commercialization and education in this sector and I’m eager to further develop these unique and critical programs” Dr. Peña said. “Our goal is to bolster the life science commercialization knowledge of students graduating from New York universities. At one level, this will help entrepreneurs gain the mix of skills and expertise needed to successfully guide innovative life science startups along the path to commercial viability. At a broader level, this will help with the biotech workforce development of our region and state for those who may not want to start companies but want to understand the sector in great depth so they can secure well-paying and/or leadership positions in this sector.”

Download a PDF of the announcement here.

Related Stories

WP_Query Object
(
    [query] => Array
        (
            [post_type] => post
            [posts_per_page] => 3
            [post_status] => publish
            [orderby] => rand
        )

    [query_vars] => Array
        (
            [post_type] => post
            [posts_per_page] => 3
            [post_status] => publish
            [orderby] => rand
            [error] => 
            [m] => 
            [p] => 0
            [post_parent] => 
            [subpost] => 
            [subpost_id] => 
            [attachment] => 
            [attachment_id] => 0
            [name] => 
            [pagename] => 
            [page_id] => 0
            [second] => 
            [minute] => 
            [hour] => 
            [day] => 0
            [monthnum] => 0
            [year] => 0
            [w] => 0
            [category_name] => 
            [tag] => 
            [cat] => 
            [tag_id] => 
            [author] => 
            [author_name] => 
            [feed] => 
            [tb] => 
            [paged] => 0
            [meta_key] => 
            [meta_value] => 
            [preview] => 
            [s] => 
            [sentence] => 
            [title] => 
            [fields] => 
            [menu_order] => 
            [embed] => 
            [category__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [category__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_name__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [tag_slug__and] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [post_parent__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__in] => Array
                (
                )

            [author__not_in] => Array
                (
                )

            [search_columns] => Array
                (
                )

            [ignore_sticky_posts] => 
            [suppress_filters] => 
            [cache_results] => 1
            [update_post_term_cache] => 1
            [update_menu_item_cache] => 
            [lazy_load_term_meta] => 1
            [update_post_meta_cache] => 1
            [nopaging] => 
            [comments_per_page] => 50
            [no_found_rows] => 
            [order] => 
        )

    [tax_query] => WP_Tax_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                )

            [relation] => AND
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [queried_terms] => Array
                (
                )

            [primary_table] => wp_posts
            [primary_id_column] => ID
        )

    [meta_query] => WP_Meta_Query Object
        (
            [queries] => Array
                (
                )

            [relation] => 
            [meta_table] => 
            [meta_id_column] => 
            [primary_table] => 
            [primary_id_column] => 
            [table_aliases:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [clauses:protected] => Array
                (
                )

            [has_or_relation:protected] => 
        )

    [date_query] => 
    [request] => SELECT SQL_CALC_FOUND_ROWS  wp_posts.ID
					 FROM wp_posts 
					 WHERE 1=1  AND wp_posts.post_type = 'post' AND ((wp_posts.post_status = 'publish'))
					 
					 ORDER BY RAND()
					 LIMIT 0, 3
    [posts] => Array
        (
            [0] => WP_Post Object
                (
                    [ID] => 4804
                    [post_author] => 4
                    [post_date] => 2025-03-20 12:10:54
                    [post_date_gmt] => 2025-03-20 16:10:54
                    [post_content] => 

The Center for Biotechnology is pleased to announce a request for proposals for our Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) award program. Awards will be in two categories: Feasibility ($50k/12mo) and Proof of Concept ($100K/12 mo.) Details on the full funding program overview and proposal guidelines can be found here.

The development of promising innovations often stalls due to limited early-stage funding to address translational uncertainties. The Center for Biotechnology's Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) award program bridges the translation gap between biomedical discovery and their development toward commercial goals. Program funding is intended to determine feasibility, develop proof-of-concept, and ultimately lead to follow-on funding, a strategic partnership, or company formation.

The REACH program supports faculty and postdoctoral researchers in translating bio-based, bio-convergence, and bio-medical research discoveries by providing targeted funding and strategic guidance to bridge the translation gap between discovery and development for commercialization.

Learn more about the program, get information session details and access the full request for proposals here: https://centerforbiotechnology.org/what-we-do/technology-development/reach/

[post_title] => Funding Opportunity: Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH)Awards [post_excerpt] => The Center for Biotechnology is pleased to announce a request for proposals for our REACH award program. Awards will be in two categories: Feasibility ($50k/12mo) and Proof of Concept ($100K/12 mo.) [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => news-reach25 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-03-24 12:11:36 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-24 16:11:36 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4804 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [1] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4488 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2024-10-24 10:45:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2024-10-24 14:45:00 [post_content] =>

Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled plans for New York BioGenesis Park, a groundbreaking $430 million Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Innovation Hub in Nassau County, Long Island. To be developed by The Albanese Organization, Inc., this state-of-the-art facility would catalyze CGT research, development, clinical manufacturing, and commercialization across New York State. With a historic $150 million state investment—the largest nationwide for a cell and gene therapy hub—NYBGP would accelerate the delivery of new therapies from lab to patient in New York's diverse communities. This transformative hub aims to establish New York as the leading global destination for CGT innovation, driving economic growth, attracting top talent, and revolutionizing patient care statewide and beyond.

The Center for Biotechnology is thrilled to be counted as a partner in this effort, and is looking forward to working with our colleagues in the initiative to help catalyze and accelerate life-changing therapies.

New York BioGenesis Park is envisioned as a cutting-edge, full-service campus dedicated to advancing cell and gene therapies and accelerating their commercialization. At full build-out, the 700,000-square-foot park would create an end-to-end Cell and Gene Therapy innovation and supply center, featuring interconnected areas for public engagement, research, manufacturing, and collaboration.

A cornerstone of New York BioGenesis Park is its incubator, supported by a $50 million investment from ESD's Long Island Investment Fund. This facility will empower early-stage therapeutic developers by offering state-of-the-art wet lab space, shared equipment, office space, and other essential resources. This nurturing environment will provide Cell and Gene Therapy companies with access to specialized equipment, mentoring, and stage-appropriate financial guidance. As a critical component of New York BioGenesis Park, the incubator is poised to catalyze the growth of promising Cell and Gene Therapy companies by providing them with resources and support, unlocking their potential for innovation and success.

New York BioGenesis Park would foster strong ties with academic and medical institutions throughout New York, creating a robust ecosystem for Cell and Gene Therapy innovation. Collaborating with the Empire State Cellular Therapy Consortium and world-class institutions like Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, the Feinstein Institutes, Northwell Health, Roswell Park, Stony Brook University, Weill Cornell, Columbia University and others around the state, New York BioGenesis Park would enhance research synergies and accelerate medical breakthroughs. This ecosystem would bring together experts in advanced Cell and Gene Therapy therapies, offering specialized facilities, services, and resources to both tenants and collaborating institutions. By facilitating cutting-edge science, innovative technology development and novel approaches to clinical trials, New York BioGenesis Park would ensure New York's institutions remain globally competitive in groundbreaking Cell and Gene Therapy research and commercialization.

Read the press release of Governor Hochul's announcement here:
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-launches-next-phase-long-islands-nation-leading-cell-and-gene-therapy

[post_title] => Long Island to be location for Nation-Leading Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Hub: New York BioGenesis Park. [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => long-island-to-be-location-for-nation-leading-cell-and-gene-therapy-innovation-hub-new-york-biogenesis-park [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-02-26 16:35:20 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-02-26 21:35:20 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4488 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3856 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2021-12-06 15:25:03 [post_date_gmt] => 2021-12-06 15:25:03 [post_content] =>

NYSTAR reviews and coordinates requests for New York State matching grants and support letters to strengthen applicants' proposals to federal agencies, foundations, and other grant-making organizations. The purpose of this program is to attract more federal R&D funding to support technology development and commercialization efforts in New York State.

While funding is available, NYSTAR will accept applications monthly with a submission deadline of the 20th. The first Round will have a deadline for application submission of January 20, 2022.

Learn more and apply here: https://esd.ny.gov/matching-grants-leverage-program

[post_title] => NYS Matching Grants Leverage Program [post_excerpt] => NYSTAR reviews and coordinates requests for New York State matching grants and support letters to strengthen applicants' proposals to federal agencies, foundations, and other grant-making organizations. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => nys-matching-grants-leverage-program [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2021-12-06 15:25:05 [post_modified_gmt] => 2021-12-06 15:25:05 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3856 [menu_order] => 30 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2041 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2016-03-11 19:35:25 [post_date_gmt] => 2016-03-11 19:35:25 [post_content] => Taking place on two days over the course of two weeks at the beginning of March, the 2016 Long Island Innovation Boot Camp/Pre-Seed Workshop was held at the Long Island High Technology Incubator. The annual event, co-organized by the CFB and Stony Brook Universities Clean Energy Business Incubator Program (CEBIP), featured eight technologies emerging from the region’s top research institutions. The event rallies community talent and resources to investigate and transform commercially promising technologies into pre-seed stage companies. Dr. Carol Carter, a molecular Genetics and Microbiology Profession at Stony Brook University, participated in the boot camp this year. About her experience in the boot camp, she noted to Innovate Long Island, “It’s given me an education of a type I’ve not gotten before, in all of my training. As an academician, you don’t usually get this kind of perspective on what you do.” Read additional articles on the event here and here. [post_title] => 2016 Long Island Innovation Boot Camp [post_excerpt] => Held at the Long Island High Technology incubator, this annual event, co-organized by the CFB and Stony Brook Universities Clean Energy Business Incubator Program (CEBIP), featured eight technologies emerging from the region’s top research institutions. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => 2016-long-island-innovation-boot-camp [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-03-29 20:30:14 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-03-29 20:30:14 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=2041 [menu_order] => 188 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [4] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 3308 [post_author] => 3 [post_date] => 2019-07-24 17:34:16 [post_date_gmt] => 2019-07-24 17:34:16 [post_content] => Awards support innovative research collaborations between academic faculty and regional bioscience companies. The Center for Biotechnology at Stony Brook University has announced the recipients of the 2019-2020 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 New York 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. Projects supported this year include the further development of an Intensive Care Unit temporary pacemaker, a novel material platform to improve extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMOs) in heart-lung machines, further development of skin brightening agents, and a novel therapeutic to treat Lung Cancer. “Through our participation in the Applied Research and Development Program at the Center for Biotechnology, we have been able to access the expertise of Dr. Wei Lin in the Department of Biomedical Engineering to collaborate on strategic research projects” stated Linda Towler, CEO of Avery Biomedical Devices, a global leader in high reliability diaphragm pacemakers. “This research and development collaboration has allowed us to considerably accelerate our product development and we expect it to generate significant new revenue for the company downstream.” “The Center for Biotechnology is thrilled to be able to continue to collaborate with New York State companies to help them develop commercially promising technologies that will lead to strategic partnerships, investment, corporate revenues, and job creation” said Diane Fabel, Director of Operations for the Center for Biotechnology. “The projects supported by this year’s Applied Research and Development awards exemplify the innovative science happening all around us both in our academic institutions and bioscience companies. The Center for Biotechnology is excited to be an engine promoting interactions between the two to help fuel the overall bioscience ecosystem in the region.” The ARaD Program is part of a suite of programs and services provided by the Center for Biotechnology (CFB) focused on accelerating the development of biomedical technologies in order to have a positive impact on human health and society. 2019-2020 Applied Research and Development Awards “Temporary Pacemaker” Avery Biomedical Devices & Dr. Wei Lin, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Stony Brook University “c-VACNT material bio-interaction studies” CVD Equipment Corporation & Dr. Srinivas Pentyala, Professor and Director of Translational Research, Anesthesiology, Stony Brook Medical Center “Evaluation of Hydrogenated Curcumins as Skin Brightening Agents with Novel Antimelanogenic and Antioxidant” BioCogent, LLC & Dr. Sandford Simon, Professor, Biochemistrty & Cell Biology and Pathology, Stony Brook University “Evaluation of small molecule Bax activators in mouse models of lung cancer” PHD Biosciences & Dr. Thomas Zimmerman, Assistant Professor, Director, Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, Stony Brook University; Attending Veterinarian, Brookhaven National Laboratory; Attending Veterinarian, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Click here for PDF version of announcement.  [post_title] => CFB Announces Annual Applied Research and Development Awards [post_excerpt] => Research and development collaborations between Stony Brook University faculty and New York State corporate partners include projects furthering the development of an Intensive Care Unit temporary pacemaker and a novel material platform to improve ECMOs in heart-lung machines, among others. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => arad2019-2020 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2019-07-24 17:38:50 [post_modified_gmt] => 2019-07-24 17:38:50 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=3308 [menu_order] => 90 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) ) [post_count] => 5 [current_post] => -1 [before_loop] => 1 [in_the_loop] => [post] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4804 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2025-03-20 12:10:54 [post_date_gmt] => 2025-03-20 16:10:54 [post_content] =>

The Center for Biotechnology is pleased to announce a request for proposals for our Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) award program. Awards will be in two categories: Feasibility ($50k/12mo) and Proof of Concept ($100K/12 mo.) Details on the full funding program overview and proposal guidelines can be found here.

The development of promising innovations often stalls due to limited early-stage funding to address translational uncertainties. The Center for Biotechnology's Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH) award program bridges the translation gap between biomedical discovery and their development toward commercial goals. Program funding is intended to determine feasibility, develop proof-of-concept, and ultimately lead to follow-on funding, a strategic partnership, or company formation.

The REACH program supports faculty and postdoctoral researchers in translating bio-based, bio-convergence, and bio-medical research discoveries by providing targeted funding and strategic guidance to bridge the translation gap between discovery and development for commercialization.

Learn more about the program, get information session details and access the full request for proposals here: https://centerforbiotechnology.org/what-we-do/technology-development/reach/

[post_title] => Funding Opportunity: Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH)Awards [post_excerpt] => The Center for Biotechnology is pleased to announce a request for proposals for our REACH award program. Awards will be in two categories: Feasibility ($50k/12mo) and Proof of Concept ($100K/12 mo.) [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => news-reach25 [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-03-24 12:11:36 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-03-24 16:11:36 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4804 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [comment_count] => 0 [current_comment] => -1 [found_posts] => 265 [max_num_pages] => 89 [max_num_comment_pages] => 0 [is_single] => [is_preview] => [is_page] => [is_archive] => [is_date] => [is_year] => [is_month] => [is_day] => [is_time] => [is_author] => [is_category] => [is_tag] => [is_tax] => [is_search] => [is_feed] => [is_comment_feed] => [is_trackback] => [is_home] => 1 [is_privacy_policy] => [is_404] => [is_embed] => [is_paged] => [is_admin] => [is_attachment] => [is_singular] => [is_robots] => [is_favicon] => [is_posts_page] => [is_post_type_archive] => [query_vars_hash:WP_Query:private] => 325c4f9f1aebaa5ec90666fa54175ba0 [query_vars_changed:WP_Query:private] => [thumbnails_cached] => [allow_query_attachment_by_filename:protected] => [stopwords:WP_Query:private] => [compat_fields:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => query_vars_hash [1] => query_vars_changed ) [compat_methods:WP_Query:private] => Array ( [0] => init_query_flags [1] => parse_tax_query ) )

Funding Opportunity: Research Evaluation and Commercialization Hub (REACH)Awards

More Information

Long Island to be location for Nation-Leading Cell and Gene Therapy Innovation Hub: New York BioGenesis Park.

More Information

NYS Matching Grants Leverage Program

More Information

2016 Long Island Innovation Boot Camp

More Information

CFB Announces Annual Applied Research and Development Awards

More Information