On October 3, the Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation at the University of Michigan will host the fifth biennial Joyce Massey TBI Summit. 

The Summit unites experts in traumatic brain injury (TBI) from across the country to discuss the future of the field and identify important barriers to improving outcomes. Since the inaugural Summit, we have welcomed the nation’s leading authorities as well as those who are just beginning their journey—a combination that opens the door to new ideas and possibilities. 

Members of the Weil Institute have exclusive access to this day full of inspiring talks, poster presentations, and a roundtable Q&A session with field leaders. This year, we are thrilled to welcome special guest speaker Bob Woodruff .

Registration will open later this summer.

About This Event

Trauma care has progressed significantly over the last 20 years. Patients arriving to a modern US emergency room (or those arriving at a Combat Support Hospital) have a better than 90 percent chance of survival to discharge thanks to improved resuscitation, surgical skills, critical care, and rehabilitation.

However, there remain a number of settings where there are significant opportunities to make a difference in outcome, including during prolonged casualty care (in the military) and care of patients in a rural setting (civilan). This is the "low-hanging fruit" (to use a business term) for affecting outcomes in trauma care. In his talk, Dr. Beilman will discuss identified gaps in care, and relate potential opportunities to help with care in these settings.

About the Speaker

Dr. Gregory Beilman is Associate Dean for DoD Relationships for the University of Minnesota Medical School and is Owen Wangensteen Research Chair and Professor of Surgery at the University of Minnesota. As a surgeon, Dr. Beilman has a career-spanning interest in surgical management of acute and chronic pancreatitis. He is a retired Colonel in the Army Reserves and has deployed five times.

Dr. Beilman has an active translational research program funded by the Department of Defense, the NIH, and industry. He has significant experience in Global Health efforts, with his experience in the Army, a decade of patient care and research efforts in Uganda, and recent efforts in Ukraine.

Friday, September 6, 2024
9:00 am – 5:30 pm

Forum Hall, Palmer Commons 100
Washtenaw Ave,
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

About the Symposium

Generative AI, including large language models (LLMs), generative diffusion models and etc., has emerged as a powerful family of foundation models with unprecedented data generation ability. It has shown exceptional performance in various applications, including image and language generation, audio synthesis, and solving general inverse problems. Despite their success, these models face significant challenges and limitations that hinder their practical use in many scientific disciplines.

This MIDAS symposium will bring together experts and researchers from both theoretical and applied fields to discuss the latest advancements of generative AI, from theoretical study to practical application deployment. It aims to explore the application of these models in scientific domains, providing a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and fostering research collaborations in this emerging area.

Summary

This webinar will help Weil members identify grant opportunities for studies on ARDS, pneumonia, and sepsis.

Weil Institute leaders and members were recently awarded an NIH grant to lead a clinical center for the ARDS, Pneumonia and Sepsis (APS) Phenotyping Consortium, involving a prospective, longitudinal observational study with common data and biospecimen collection of 5,000 adults hospitalized with APS across the nation.

In this webinar, Dr. Robert Dickson and Dr. Kathleen Stringer will share the finalized APS protocol, allowing Weil members to plan future NIH grant submissions leveraging the APS data and biospecimens that will be collected. Drs. Dickson and Stringer will also discuss how NIGMS and NHLBI will support new grants that leverage the APS Consortium, as well as other NIH biorepositories that investigators can leverage for secondary studies, such as NHLBI’s BioLINCC.

NOTE: This event is open to Weil members only.

Speakers

On May 30, the Massey TBI Grand Challenge teams who were selected to move on in the competition will pitch their research and innovations before the “Wolverines”—an interdisciplinary panel comprised of clinicians, entrepreneurs, Department of Defense representatives and business development experts.

On April 25, the Kahn Pediatric Critical Care Grand Challenge teams who were selected to move on in the competition will pitch their research and innovations before the “Wolverines”—an interdisciplinary panel comprised of clinicians, entrepreneurs, children’s health specialists and business development experts.

The first half of this free, virtual workshop will focus on the NSF Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) program, and the second half will cover the NSF Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI) program. This workshop is ideal for researchers, faculty members, postdocs, students, and entrepreneurs interested in leveraging their research for real-world impact or seeking to leverage industry partnerships to advance their research and accelerate scientific progress.

PFI

The NSF PFI component of the workshop will equip researchers and innovators with the tools and skills to bridge the gap between research and the marketplace. Participants will gain expertise in Technology translation and development, Industry collaboration, Proof-of-concept development, and Entrepreneurial skills.

• Turning discoveries into practical solutions: Learn how to take your research and develop it into something useful for the real world.

• Working together to succeed: Develop skills to collaborate effectively with different organizations and people to bring your ideas to life.

• Building your innovation toolkit: Gain the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the process of bringing your technology to market.

GOALI

The NSF GOALI component of the workshop will empower researchers to navigate the landscape of successful collaboration between academia and industry. Participants will gain insights into Collaborative research, Industry engagement, and Project management.

• Teaming up for research: Learn how to work effectively with companies to advance your research and achieve shared goals.

• Understanding industry needs: Gain insights into what companies are looking for and how your research can benefit them.

• Managing research collaborations: Develop skills to plan, execute, and successfully complete research projects with industry partners.

Workshop Description

Now that you’ve completed an I-Corps course and conducted 20-30 customer discovery interviews, what’s next in your customer discovery and commercialization journey? Non-dilutive SBIR/STTR funding may be a consideration. The government’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs make over $4 billion in high-risk, non-dilutive capital available to innovative small companies annually, but you have to propose a clearly defined R&D project that helps de-risk your technology in preparation for commercialization.

This virtual SBIR Webinar will provide an overview of the SBIR/STTR programs and how you can leverage your knowledge gained from customer discovery to build a compelling SBIR/STTR proposal. In this interactive workshop, we’ll learn how to use data from customer discovery to come up with 1-3 clearly defined Technical Objectives related to product development for a Phase I application. The SBIR Webinar will also go over how to use data from market research and customer discovery to determine your quantitative metrics for success.

About the Presenter: Megan Varnum, Ph.D.

Megan joined BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting as a Principal Consultant in 2019 with a wealth of experience in leading biological technologies on the path to commercialization. As CEO of FibrosIX Inc., a Michigan company developing compounds for the treatment or prevention of fibrosis-related disorders, Megan was involved in all aspects of planning and operation of the company. This included writing an SBIR grant proposal, which was awarded from the National Cancer Institute. Her prior experience includes serving as an Entrepreneur in Residence for Michigan State University’s Spartan Innovations where she assisted MSU researchers in translating their technologies into startup businesses. While at MSU, she managed the launch of two startups and assisted in preparation of both NIH and NSF SBIR proposals. A former Research Associate of the Scripps Research Institute, Megan received a B.S degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a PhD from Boston University.

BBCetc is nationally recognized for its success in helping emerging companies win SBIR/STTR funding and use it strategically to propel growth. BBCetc’s Michigan clients have been awarded over $406 million in funding since 2002. The company was recently named a 2020 Tibbetts award winner as well as one of 50 “Michigan companies to watch” by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.

Activate is the premier program for scientists on a mission. This two-year fellowship provides early-stage hard-tech science entrepreneurs $100K in research funding, yearly stipends of up to $110K, intensive entrepreneurial training, mentorship, networking, and other benefits.

Join us to:

1. Learn how the Activate Fellowship can support you directly after I-Corps

2. Find out project and applicant eligibility criteria, and how to apply for the fellowship

3. Hear a Fellow’s journey and perspective on the Activate Fellowship

Speaker: Patrick Sullivan, Activate Anywhere Cohort 2023 Fellow

Applications open this fall. Learn more about the Activate Fellowship here.

Workshop Description

Now that you’ve completed an I-Corps course and conducted 20-30 customer discovery interviews, what’s next in your customer discovery and commercialization journey? This National I-Corps Webinar will provide an overview of the NSF National I-Corps Teams program and allow ample time for Q&A.

Learning Objectives

• Learn what the NSF National I-Corps Teams program is and how it can move your team forward

• Develop a basic understanding of application requirements for the NSF National I-Corps Teams program

• Receive guidance on putting your application together

• Identify the people you want/need to be on your NSF National I-Corps team

• Understand what to expect during the application process and the program itself

Course Schedule

This is a one-hour synchronous National I-Corps Webinar on Zoom. Experts in applying for the NSF I-Corps National Teams program and $50,000 grant will give an overview of the program. The session will end with 30 minutes of open Q&A.

Supporting innovative, high-risk ideas to transform outcomes in traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Please join the Weil Institute on March 12 as we launch the 2024 Massey TBI Grand Challenge. Made possible through the generous support of the Joyce and Don Massey Family Foundation, the Massey TBI Grand Challenge supports high-risk research and innovations addressing the initial "golden hours" of care after severe traumatic brain injury.

Up to $800,000 is available this year to fund device, diagnostic, therapeutic and health information technology solutions.

To be considered eligible for funding, you and/or a team member must attend the March 12 kickoff event. The Grand Challenge is open to all U-M faculty and staff. Participants from outside organizations are welcome to collaborate and apply, provided one PI on their team is from the University of Michigan.

Keynote Speaker

Matthew E. Fink, MD

Dr. Fink is the Assistant Dean for Clinical Affairs and the Louis and Gertrude Feil Professor and Chair of  Neurology at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine. Prior to joining the faculty of New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, Dr. Fink served as president and chief executive officer of Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, as well as chairman of its Barbara and Alan Mirken Department of Neurology, director of the Comprehensive Stroke Center and co-director of the Hyman-Newman Institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery. He also served as professor of clinical neurology and clinical medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.

Dr. Fink is board certified in internal medicine, neurology, critical care medicine, vascular neurology and neurocritical care. He was a founding member and chairman of the Critical Care Section of the American Academy of Neurology and the Research Section for Neurocritical Care of the World Federation of Neurology. He is a past president of the New York Neurological Society and was recently elected to fellowship in both the American Academy of Neurology and the American Heart Association. Throughout his career, Dr. Fink has been involved in the education and training of students, residents and fellows in the field of stroke and critical care neurology, as well as an active participant in clinical research within this field. He has lectured widely and published many research and clinical articles.

Supporting innovative, high-risk ideas to transform outcomes in traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Massey TBI Grand Challenge is a powerful funding avenue for multidisciplinary critical care research teams that supports the development of diagnostic, device, therapeutic, or health IT solutions addressing the initial ‘golden hours’ of care after severe traumatic brain injury.

Join the Weil Institute on March 9 as we launch the 2023 Grand Challenge with an informative kickoff session! This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in participating to network and learn more about the Grand Challenge process.

While this is a hybrid event, we strongly recommend guests attend in-person if able.

New for 2023: The “Wolverine Wrangle”

Meet with mentors in medicine, engineering, and IP and commercialization during the Wolverine Wrangle—a collaborative speed networking session designed to give competitors the opportunity to connect with likeminded researchers, identify potential collaborators, pick the brains of previous awardees and interact with industry leaders, researchers, and potential PIs to further develop and refine ideas prior to submitting a proposal.

About Dr. Shankar-Hari

Dr. Manu Shankar-Hari is Professor in Critical Care Medicine and NIHR Clinician Scientist at King’s College London. His research explores ways to improve outcomes in adult critically ill patients with sepsis and with ARDS by linking the illness immunobiology to interventional trial design.

Dr. Shankar-Hari’s lab has two focused research themes:

1. The immunobiology part of his laboratory utilises flow cytometry, mass cytometry, a cultured cell, transcriptomics, epigenetics and bioinformatics approaches to study adaptive immune system changes in sepsis and ARDS.

2. The epidemiology and trial design part of his laboratory uses cohort studies, systematic reviews and large datasets to explore treatment response mechanisms, using principles of causality, modifiable determinants and dominant mechanisms in sepsis and ARDS related critical illness.

Weil Institute Visiting Scholar Seminar - “Crisis Breeds Innovation - How the COVID-19 Pandemic Invigorated Acute Care Clinical Trials”

About the Speaker

$400,000 in funding is available to support high-risk ideas and innovations addressing the needs of critically ill and injured children.

Mark Kahn and the Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation at the University of Michigan are releasing an RFP in December 2022 for research into innovative solutions in pediatric critical care. We are asking teams to develop diagnostic, device, therapeutic, or health information technology solutions that address current gaps in the monitoring, diagnosis and treatment of critically ill and/or injured children.

Have questions about the Kahn Grand Challenge or need more information? Get the scoop before the competition!

On October 25 (Tues.) at 10 AM, the Weil Institute will be holding a virtual info session on all things Grand Challenge-related. This is an excellent opportunity for teams to learn about the Grand Challenge process ahead of the kickoff and discover the resources we have available to them.

Conference link (opens 10/25): https://umich.zoom.us/j/99902623892
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm EST

You will not need to register for this session—simply drop on by! Teams are only required to attend the December 8 kickoff to be considered for funding.

Please join us on Friday, October 21 as the Weil Institute continues our Visiting Scholar Seminar series, welcoming Dr. Lars Larsson, Professor of Neurophysiology from Sweden's Karolinska Institute.

Dr. Larsson, a world expert on skeletal muscle dysfunction in critical illness, will be presenting from 11am-12pm in the Frankel Cardiovascular Center's Danto Auditorium. Registration is available at the link below, and lunch will be provided at the event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Weil Institute and Michigan Medicine are thrilled to welcome Dr. Renaud Tissier from the National Veterinary School of Alfort (Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort). Dr. Tissier will be presenting “Lung-conservative liquid ventilation: a way for ultra-rapid cooling in the early phase after resuscitation”. Details and registration are below.

For questions about the event, please contact Sue Wozniak at swo@med.umich.edu.

• May 2, 2022

• 12-1 PM

• MCHC Auditorium (UH South, room F2305)

NOTE: Food and beverages are not permitted in the auditorium.

About Dr. Tissier

Renaud Tissier, DVM, PhD, is Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology, as well as vice-dean for research at Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort. He obtained his PhD in 2003 at Université Paris Sud. He has been coordinator of several research grants and published more than 100 scientific articles in peer-reviewed international reviews. He has given more than 100 conferences in national and international congresses. Today, he is leading a research group working on the effect of hypothermia in post-cardiac arrest syndrome.

The Million-Dollar Grand Challenge

The 2022 Massey TBI Grand Challenge kicks off on March 3, and it's going to be bigger and better than ever. MCIRCC is thrilled to announce that, this year, we will have a grand total of $1 MILLION available to fund multidisciplinary teams proposing high-risk ideas and innovations addressing the golden hours of traumatic brain injury.

But that’s not all that’s new in 2022. Visit the official event page to see the latest.

NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL MAY 2022

About the Summit

The Joyce Massey TBI Summit brings together TBI experts from across the country to present their current research, discuss the future of the field and identify important barriers to improving outcomes. Since the inaugural Summit, we have welcomed the nation’s leading authorities as well as those who are just beginning their journey—a combination that opens the door to new ideas and possibilities. 

The Summit is made possible through the generosity of the Joyce and Don Massey Family Foundation. Their vision for improving the treatment and care of TBI patients continues to motivate researchers across the globe.