During the trip to Japan, President Mung Chiang met with presidents of Japanese universities, including Tohoku University, which has been an official university partner for 25 years; with business leaders of automotive and semiconductor companies, including the CEO of Subaru; government officials such as Director General of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Governor of Gunman Prefecture; and Purdue alumni and friends at a reception hosted by the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel.
GeniPhys, a company founded by Purdue biomedical engineering professor Sherry Harbin, has raised a $6 million Series A round. The funding will support the launch of the company’s initial product into the market, expand its team, and invest in manufacturing and regulatory capabilities. GeniPhys has developed a polymerizable collagen called Collymer, which can be designed and fabricated into materials with a variety of shapes, architectures and mechanical properties. It addresses unmet needs in markets like wound management, surgical reconstruction and orthopedics.
The late Marcia Gentry is being honored with Purdue’s 2022 Lu Ann Aday Award. Gentry was a professor of gifted, creative, and talented studies in the Department of Educational Studies and executive director of the Gifted Education Research and Resource Institute within the College of Education. She passed away in August 2022. Gentry’s accomplishments will be celebrated at the annual Excellence in Research Awards ceremony at 3 p.m. April 6 at the Purdue Memorial Union.
The 15th annual Purdue Challenge 5K run/walk benefiting the Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research will begin at 8:30 a.m. April 15 on Stadium Mall. The Challenge, which has generated more than $1 million since 2008, reminds the community that Purdue cancer research provides hope to survivors. Proceeds from the race have allowed the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research to make strides in the innovation and improvement of cancer detection, treatment and prevention.
A collaborative team of staff from Purdue’s College of Education and the Indiana Commission for Higher Education is leading an innovative program that supports and prepares Indiana students from lower-income communities to graduate from high school and go on to start college successfully. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Indiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (Indiana GEAR UP) is working with students in nine partner school corporations and associated schools in Indiana.