Tech Tuesday: Dr. May Khanna – Where Research Meets Entrepreneurship
Welcome back to Tech Tuesday, where we explore the cutting edge of innovation right here in our backyard. I’m your host Bethany Gaffey, coming to you live from the UF Innovate hub. Today, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world where groundbreaking research collides head-on with entrepreneurial spirit.
Joining us is a remarkable individual who embodies this intersection perfectly, Dr. May Khanna. A recent addition to the University of Florida, Dr. Khanna wears two very important hats: she is a dedicated researcher at the renowned McKnight Brain Institute and serves as the Assistant Dean of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Talk about a rockstar!
Delving into the Mysteries of the Brain
Dr. Khanna’s lab is tackling some of the most complex puzzles known to medicine: neurodegenerative diseases. Her research zeroes in on conditions like Alzheimer’s, ALS, and Batten disease, seeking to unravel the mysteries behind their devastating effects.
At the heart of her work is a focus on those pesky proteins that, when they decide to clump together or misfold, wreak havoc on the nervous system. Dr. Khanna’s team is hard at work designing what are basically microscopic superheroes: small molecules with the potential to correct these protein mishaps. If successful, this could pave the way for brand new, desperately needed drug therapies.
From Lab Bench to Launchpad
Now, here’s where things get really interesting. Dr. Khanna is a firm believer that innovation isn’t just a happy accident of research – it’s practically baked into the process. And often, that innovation leads to something with real-world application: patentable intellectual property, or IP as it’s known in the biz.
She stresses the increasingly vital role entrepreneurship plays in the world of research. It’s not enough to simply make groundbreaking discoveries; the challenge now is to translate those “aha!” moments into tangible solutions that can benefit people’s lives. And how do you do that? By taking those patented research breakthroughs and launching startup companies, of course!
Tech Tuesday: Dr. May Khanna – Where Research Meets Entrepreneurship
Welcome back to Tech Tuesday, where we explore the cutting edge of innovation right here in our backyard. I’m your host Bethany Gaffey, coming to you live from the UF Innovate hub. Today, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world where groundbreaking research collides head-on with entrepreneurial spirit.
Joining us is a remarkable individual who embodies this intersection perfectly, Dr. May Khanna. A recent addition to the University of Florida, Dr. Khanna wears two very important hats: she is a dedicated researcher at the renowned McKnight Brain Institute and serves as the Assistant Dean of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Talk about a rockstar!
Delving into the Mysteries of the Brain
Dr. Khanna’s lab is tackling some of the most complex puzzles known to medicine: neurodegenerative diseases. Her research zeroes in on conditions like Alzheimer’s, ALS, and Batten disease, seeking to unravel the mysteries behind their devastating effects.
At the heart of her work is a focus on those pesky proteins that, when they decide to clump together or misfold, wreak havoc on the nervous system. Dr. Khanna’s team is hard at work designing what are basically microscopic superheroes: small molecules with the potential to correct these protein mishaps. If successful, this could pave the way for brand new, desperately needed drug therapies.
From Lab Bench to Launchpad
Now, here’s where things get really interesting. Dr. Khanna is a firm believer that innovation isn’t just a happy accident of research – it’s practically baked into the process. And often, that innovation leads to something with real-world application: patentable intellectual property, or IP as it’s known in the biz.
She stresses the increasingly vital role entrepreneurship plays in the world of research. It’s not enough to simply make groundbreaking discoveries; the challenge now is to translate those “aha!” moments into tangible solutions that can benefit people’s lives. And how do you do that? By taking those patented research breakthroughs and launching startup companies, of course!
A Win-Win for Everyone
The beauty of this research-driven entrepreneurship, as Dr. Khanna explains it, is that it creates a ripple effect of positive impact. First, there’s the obvious benefit to the research community itself. Startups born from academic labs often plow a significant portion of their profits back into funding further scientific exploration. It’s like planting a seed that grows into a tree, providing shade and nourishment for even more seeds to sprout– a self-sustaining ecosystem of discovery!
But it doesn’t stop there. Universities like UF reap major benefits too. These startups attract investment dollars like moths to a porch light, boosting the university’s prestige and resources. And let’s not forget about the job creation aspect! These fledgling companies need talented minds to help them soar, creating exciting new opportunities right here in our community. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
Stay in the Loop!
Want to learn more about the groundbreaking work happening in Dr. Khanna’s lab and the potential it holds for treating neurodegenerative diseases? Of course you do! Keep an eye out for upcoming community outreach events hosted by UF’s College of Medicine, where you can hear directly from Dr. Khanna and her team. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it!
And to stay updated on all things tech and innovation here in Gainesville, be sure to subscribe to the WCJB newsletter. We’ll keep you in the know with all the latest developments, breakthroughs, and exciting events happening in our own backyard.
Fighting Fire with AI: A Tech Tuesday Bonus Story
Speaking of innovation, in a related story, a local tech startup is making waves with their groundbreaking use of artificial intelligence. This company is literally taking on wildfires with AI, developing sophisticated algorithms that can detect and predict the spread of wildfires in real-time. Imagine the lives that could be saved, the property that could be protected with this kind of cutting-edge technology! It’s truly remarkable to see the power of human ingenuity at work, right here in our community.
And that’s a wrap on this week’s Tech Tuesday. Until next time, keep innovating, keep exploring, and keep your eyes on the horizon. From all of us here at WCJB, have a fantastic week!
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