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BARDA Mask Challenge Innovate Challenge Pitch Event 5/26

Wednesday, May 26, 2021 | 2:00 PM-4:00 PM

BARDA DRIVe has launched a Mask Innovation Challenge to support the development of innovative solutions that can protect Americans from respiratory pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2.

The Center for Biotechnology, a BARDA DRIVe Accelerator Network site, is hosting this Mask Challenge event in partnership with the The Science Center, during which applicants who have made it past the first round will be pitching their mask design and plan for commercialization.

Register Here: https://venturecafeglobal-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvcOCvrzMiEtPblEbmB3cwezwMIleFe3xr

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                    [post_date] => 2026-08-10 12:17:19
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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] => 4231 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2023-07-10 12:37:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2023-07-10 16:37:00 [post_content] =>

SBU Startup, Lahara Bio, presented in the start-up stadium event at the 2023 BIO International Convention in June.

Christopher Ashdown, a MD/PhD student at Stony Brook University, and Center for Biotechnology Program alumnus presented on behalf of Lahara after securing a spot in the coveted forum by winning multiple pitch competitions from NIH SEED office.

According to Ashdown, “Bio 2023 was an amazing experience, and I was thrilled to be able to share the exciting work that we're doing at Lahara Bio with the greater bioscience community. The CfB was incredibly helpful in preparing the company for this conference and has done an excellent job of helping me develop on a personal/professional level".

In addition to the main stage presentation, Ashdown also presented Lahara Bio at the NIH booth. Lahara Bio was sponsored to attend BIO by the NIH after Ashdown won the national investor pitch competition at the NIH Proof of Concept Network annual meeting this past spring.

Lahara Bio is an early-stage biotechnology company using cell-specific mechanical vibration to non-invasively improve biomanufacturing outcomes. Learn more about the company and the team behind Lahara at laharabio.com.

[post_title] => Lahara Bio Presents at BIO International Convention [post_excerpt] => Stony Brook Start Up, Lahara Bio, was presented at the 2023 BIO International Convention by Christopher Ashdown, a MD/PhD student at Stony Brook University, and Center for Biotechnology Program alumnus. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => lahara-bio-presents-at-bio-international-convention [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-08-22 11:32:58 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-08-22 15:32:58 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://centerforbiotechnology.org/?p=4231 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [2] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 193 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2013-06-12 13:20:58 [post_date_gmt] => 2013-06-12 13:20:58 [post_content] => The Center for Biotechnology and Stony Brook University received two $25,000 grants towards their BioEntrepreneur-in-Residence (B-EIR) Program. The State University of New York and The Research Foundation for SUNY (RF), and the Suffolk County Economic Development Corporation each awarded $25,000 to further the pilot B-EIR program the Center has launched in order to increase the number, quality and success of new ventures formed to commercialize early-stage, promising biomedical technologies invented at Stony Brook University. This funding is in addition to the more than $500,000 already raised around the initiative. [post_title] => Preparing Tomorrow's Leaders [post_excerpt] => The Center for Biotechnology helps train and focus the next generation of industry leaders on the issues they will face both today and tomorrow. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => boning-up [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2016-03-21 21:59:30 [post_modified_gmt] => 2016-03-21 21:59:30 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => http://centerforbiotechnology.org/new/?p=193 [menu_order] => 233 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw ) [3] => WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 2997 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2018-07-02 19:00:11 [post_date_gmt] => 2018-07-02 19:00:11 [post_content] => Former Pfizer Senior Scientist and Scout Anton Xavier has joined the Center for Biotechnology in the role of Assistant Director of Technology and Business Development. Within this role at the Center, Anton will focus on the development and implementation of technology and business development strategies that will increase sponsored research, company formation, strategic alliances, and investment with external partners. Anton will also provide oversight to the Center’s Commercialization Associates offering technology / business development services and education to entrepreneurial faculty and emerging companies. During his tenure at Pfizer, Anton had duties within the External Science and Innovation group (ES&I) focusing on sourcing, screening, and evaluating early through to late stage (inter)national biopharma ventures, entrepreneurial academic PI technology, private/public/local government funded life science initiatives, and funding vehicles which aligned with Pfizer’s R&D interest for investment and strategic partnerships. Additionally, Anton led efforts within Pfizer R&D from discovery through to late stage development of targeted therapeutics for oncology indications. Prior to Pfizer, Anton’s experience was within a wider field of bioscience, including regenerative medicine, infectious disease, and cardiovascular biology where he developed multiple therapeutic, platform, and diagnostic innovations for military and industrial needs. Anton is currently a mentor and adjunct faculty member for early stage life science ventures with E-Lab NYC, ABCT (Accelerator for Biosciences in Connecticut), NSF’s I-Corps program, the British Consulate NYC, Business France, and Cornell / Columbia University, where he provides critical industry based science, strategy, and business development input for bio-venture development. Anton earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management, a Master of Science (MSc) in Toxicology from Imperial College London and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with Microbiology from Queen Mary University of London. Anton can be reached at the Center for Biotechnology by emailing anton.xavier@stonybrook.edu [post_title] => Anton Xavier Joins CFB in Technology and Business Development Role [post_excerpt] => Former Pfizer Senior Scientist and Scout will focus on the development and implementation of technology and business development strategies. 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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.

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SBU President’s Fast Impact Fund (FIF)

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Lahara Bio Presents at BIO International Convention

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Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders

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Anton Xavier Joins CFB in Technology and Business Development Role

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