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K-State Today

April 20, 2015

K-State innovators recognized at K-State Olathe Ingenuity Central

Submitted by Angela Cummins

Left to Right: Devin Mangus, Ajay Sharda,  Kirk Schulz, Mei He, Brent Chamberlain, Prema Arasu, Stefan Bossmann, Zheng Zhao,  Jeff Tucker and Kurt Carraway. Not in the photo are Mark Blanks, Deryl Troyer, Annelise Nguyen, Dolores Takemoto and Duy Hua

K-State Olathe recognized 22 corporate partners and the research of 10 K-State innovators at the inaugural launch of Ingenuity Central on April 9.

Ingenuity Central attracted business executives, educators, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and local and state leaders. President Schulz formally opened the event. Also present were Provost April Mason, Foundation President Greg Willems and other K-State leaders.

"The rooms were full; the presenting groups engaged and interesting," said Provost Mason. "What I saw was really impactful. This is exactly what our Olathe campus is — a meeting place of industry, entrepreneurship, community leaders, and education."

Designed as a hub for cross-pollination of inventive ideas between different industry sectors, the interactive showcase highlighted the innovations of diverse companies ranging from Garmin and Aratana Therapeutics to Red Dirt and PepGel. K-State research displays ranged from new ways to fight cancer to the different potential uses of unmanned aerial systems.

"Not only did this unique event brand the business-centric focus of the Olathe campus, several participating companies also inquired about internship and recruiting programs with K-State", said Prema Arasu, K-State Olathe CEO and vice provost. "We believe the ideas, new partnerships and potential for further collaborations are a win for all."

"Several MRIGlobal staff participated and I believe we all came away feeling that it was a good and positive event," said John S. Stanley, vice president of emerging programs at MRIGlobal. "We have several follow-ups from companies that we met as well as renewing our efforts and initiatives for collaborative programs with KSU."

Highlights from the event included:

  • Technology for recycling wastewater to drinkable water by Bio-Microbics
  • 3-D gaming immersive environments to understand how decisions are made for geospatial awareness and recognition by K-State’s Brent Chamberlain
  • Secure, password-free mobile device user authentication by EyeVerify
  • Early detection of lung and thyroid cancers through a blood test by K-State’s Stefan Bossman and Deryl Troyer
  • Interactive telematics technology that allows farmers/growers to manage data from their fields and machines by John Deere
  • Activity monitors through a smart chip on a collar by FitBark, and much more.

"Ingenuity Central created a unique environment for business, education, government and community to leverage cross-industry concepts, stimulate relationships and promote further innovation and business growth," Arasu said. "As a campus committed to regional needs, we wanted to facilitate collaborations on new business ideas and new product concepts as a result of this event. Based on the great feedback from attendees, we hope to make this an annual event."

K-State highlights that were showcased at the event included the work of Stefan Bossmann, professor of chemistry; Deryl Troyer, professor of anatomy and physiology; Brent Chamberlain, assistant professor of landscape architecture and regional & community planning; Mei He, assistant professor of biological and agricultural engineering at K-State Olathe; Duy Hua, university distinguished professor of chemistry; Thu Annelise Nguyen, associate professor of toxicology; Ajay Sharda, assistant professor of biological and agricultural engineering; Dolores Takemoto, professor emeritus of biochemistry; and the Advanced Manufacturing Institute and K-State Salina's Unmanned Aerial Systems program.