BioNTX is pleased to announce the finalists for the 3rd Annual Tech Transfer Showcase, set for Friday, October 4th, at the 2024 iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit. The Tech Transfer Showcase shines the spotlight on life science innovation that may be sitting on the shelf and strengthens the development of future leaders and entrepreneurs. This program is designed to assist academic institutions in presenting technologies available for licensing, collaboration and acquisition. 

The goal of the Tech Transfer Showcase is to connect Texas based academic institutions with Texas-based investors and industry executives that can help provide valuable insight into commercial readiness, market fit, business models, strategic partnerships, and commercial viability of all technologies. The 2024 competition was open to all Texas Universities. After submission, a panel of experienced judges reviews each university’s featured technology and selects the top six finalists to advance to the pitch showcase at the BioNTX annual Summit. 

In 2024, BioNTX has seen a 50% increase in applicants for this opportunity. A panel of knowledgeable judges have selected the top six finalists to advance to the pitch event at the iC³ Summit. The 2024 Tech Transfer Showcase finalists are:

• Baylor University

• Rice University

• Texas Tech University

• The University of Texas at Austin

• The University of Texas at Dallas

• The University of Texas Medical Branch

“BioNTX is proud to provide a platform for university faculty and inventors to test their technology and receive expert guidance for commercialization of their innovation,” reports Kathleen Otto, CEO, BioNTX.

Each finalist will collaborate with a Tech Transfer judge to refine their pitch and will present their technology at the iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit for a chance to win a cash prize.

“The BioNTX Tech Transfer Showcase is a perfect opportunity to get a glimpse into early-stage technologies coming out of the top universities in Texas. As a mentor and judge, it is very rewarding to see the progression and growth of the presenter and their pitches throughout the process.” Chad Ronholdt, Co-founder, CEO of ASC Biosciences and Managing Director of NVB Ventures.

Paul J. Corson, Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer for the University of Texas at Arlington, is the moderator of the Tech Transfer Office Showcase and Pitch Competition at the iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit on Friday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Corson states, “North Texas is a great place for life science startups, as evidenced by the amazing work I see at UT Arlington every day.” The Tech Transfer winner will be announced after the showcase and pitch competition at the Summit.

To register for the 2024 iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit, please click here.

EMPOWER is pleased to announce Ariel Jones as the newest Director of Permanency Support. Jones will office at EMPOWER’s Dallas office at 1820 Regal Row.

EMPOWER, a non-profit child welfare collaborative, serves as theCommunity-Based Care (CBC) contractor in Metroplex East. This nine-county region includes Dallas and surrounding communities. EMPOWER oversees foster care, case management, kinship, and reunification services. 

Jones is a proud graduate of Jackson State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She also holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Mississippi College. Jones brings a wealth of professional experience, having worked as a Counseling/Behavior Specialist with the Mississippi Department of Human Services, the Texas Department of Family Protective Services, and as a Supervisor at Our Community Our Kids.

Outside of her professional life, Jones enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. She has been married for eight years and is a devoted mom to two children who bring joy and excitement to her life. 

“We are thrilled to have Ariel join the EMPOWER family and we are eager to see her succeed in this role as she continues her service to families and children,” said Brittany Pearson, Vice President of Permanency at EMPOWER.

Many local children in foster care need a safe, loving place to call home. To learn more about how you can help these children in need, please visit https://3empower.org/fosterfutures/.

As Texas continues to grow as a biotech and healthcare innovative hub, BioNTX is honored to announce the 2024 Rising Stars, a select group of pioneering companies that will be formally recognized at the upcoming iC³® Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit in Arlington, Texas on Thursday, October 3rd and Friday, October 4th. These companies have been meticulously chosen by the life sciences community for their outstanding potential to drive significant change through innovation and tenacity to address the most pressing challenges we face in healthcare and life sciences.

“The life science ecosystem in North Texas is growing rapidly and the Rising Stars play a significant role in its growth. Two examples of previous Rising Stars recipients are Lantern Pharma and Colossal Biosciences. Since being honored, Lantern Pharma is now publicly traded and Colossal is on a path to make history by bringing back iconic species humanity has lost while also spinning out technology companies such as Form Bio and Breaking. In addition, large exits such as Reata Pharmaceuticals and Peloton Therapeutics have shown us that North Texas has emerged as a player in this space. It also confirms our Rising Stars have the resources and talent locally to be successful on a national and global level,” says Logan Atkins, Financial Advisor at The Davis/Yost Group at Morgan Stanley.

The 2024 Rising Stars are recognized for their groundbreaking advancements and unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries in the bioscience and healthcare innovation arena because patients cannot wait. These companies have demonstrated exceptional success in innovation, disruption, and leadership, setting themselves apart in a highly competitive and rapidly evolving landscape.

The 2024 Rising Star recipients are:

• Almaden Genomics

• CorInnova

• GenrAb

• Island Pharmaceuticals

• Opsin Biotherapeutics

• Panthera BioSolutions

• SingleCell Biotechnology

• Solenic Medical

“Every year, we are thrilled to learn more about the amazing work that biotech and healthcare innovation companies are doing in our region and have the opportunity to recognize a few notable organizations at our iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit,” says Kathleen Otto, CEO of BioNTX. “We look forward to hearing from our 2024 Rising Stars at the Summit and continue to watch the advancements each of these special companies make.”

Each 2024 Rising Stars company will share information about their company, achievements and insight into the industry at this year’s iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit on October 3-4, 2024. Registration for the Summit can be completed here.

The State Fair of Texas® will be held at Fair Park from Friday, September 27, 2024, to Sunday, October 20, 2024. Sheraton Dallas is ready to host out-of-town visitors and local Dallasites who want to participate in the fun fair festivities. 

Sheraton Dallas, located in Downtown Dallas, offers a State Fair of Texas Package for guests to enjoy accommodations in one of the hotel’s stylish guest rooms, a $25 daily food and beverage credit, and complimentary on-site hotel parking.  

The State Fair of Texas® Package can be booked online now with promo code MAJ by selecting your date and clicking “Find Hotels” for stays during the fair between September 27, 2024, and October 20, 2024. 

• Valid stay dates: September 27 - October 20

• Daily $25 food and beverage credit is available to use at Open Palette, Draft Sports Bar and Lounge, Open Mkt. Grab ‘n Go, and The Parlor. 

• Complimentary on-site hotel parking

Leave your car behind and take the DART rail line that runs right next to the hotel straight to the fairgrounds. Riding DART to and from the fair eliminates the headache of fairground traffic and high-priced parking rates. 

Sheraton Dallas is also offering savings up to 30% for stays during Texas/OU Weekend which takes place during the time of the fair. Dedicated fans can find more information and book their special football fan rate online with the promo code W36.

Since 1886, the State Fair of Texas® has provided a welcoming, family-friendly environment. For 24 consecutive days, it hosts the longest-running fair in the nation. Bringing all walks of life together for 138 years, the State Fair of Texas continues to celebrate delicious food, Texas heritage and embrace its Lone Star culture. Everything is bigger in Texas, and Sheraton Dallas is no exception. 

Sheraton Dallas is the largest hotel in Texas and the second-largest Sheraton in the world. Sheraton Dallas has 1,840 guest rooms, 230,000 square feet of flexible meeting and convention spaces, a pool, a fitness center with state-of-the-art fitness equipment and Peloton bikes, and four dining outlets. It is located in the heart of Downtown Dallas at 400 North Olive Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.

Book a stay with Sheraton Dallas today for the State Fair of Texas and indulge in all the Midway  rides and games, enjoy the yearly range of yummy food including, funnel cakes and fried foods, car shows, livestock activities, petting zoos, live music, and more!

After an extensive search, the Turtle Creek Chorale (TCC) Board of Directors are thrilled to welcome Dr. Dawson B. Taylor (he/him/his) as the Executive Director of the Turtle Creek Chorale. Dr. Taylor will assume his role on November 1, 2024. 

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are so excited to welcome Dr. Taylor back to Dallas to lead the Turtle Creek Chorale as Executive Director,” said Kevin Housing, Chair. “His professional experience, exceptional leadership and genuine passion for the TCC make him the ideal fit for this role.”

Dr. Taylor joins TCC with extensive leadership experience, previously serving as Designated Minister of Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ in Bethesda, MD and sings as baritone in the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. 

Prior to his role at Westmoreland, Dr. Taylor served as the sixth Senior Minister (2016-2022) and Associate Minister (2013-2015) of Naples United Church of Christ in Naples, FL. Prior to moving to Florida, he served as Executive Minister of Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ in Dallas. During this time, Dr. Taylor was also a part of the TCC as a singing member. He began singing with TCC in fall of 2006, the last season directed by Dr. Tim Seelig. He also served on the TCC Board in 2007 and became chairperson in 2009.

Dr. Taylor is proud to serve as a Trustee of Chicago Theological Seminary where he chairs the Board Affairs Committee and serves on the Executive Committee and Strategic Options Task Force. He has served on numerous not-for-profit boards of directors including Planned Parenthood of Central and Southwest Florida and GLSEN-Collier County. 

Dr. Taylor holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Centenary College of Louisiana, a Master of Theological Studies from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and his Doctor of Ministry from Chicago Theological Seminary.

“I am thrilled to be rejoining Turtle Creek Chorale as Executive Director” Dr. Taylor stated. “I am especially excited to partner with my friend Sean Mikel Baugh, the fantastic singing membership, the committed Board of Directors, the talented staff, and generous donors to broaden the mission to entertain, educate, unite, and inspire.”