Office of Innovation News

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Mukundan  Kasturirangan with Educational Caries Teeth and Sales Syringe Adapter

From Iowa City to Boston Scientific: How Iowa MADE Prepared a Biomedical Engineer Student for a Career in Medical Device Marketing

Tuesday, June 30, 2026
When Mukundan Kasturirangan enrolled at Iowa, he had a clear goal: gain real-world, industry-relevant experience. That ambition led him to Iowa MADE, a student run manufacturing and e-commerce marketplace facilitating the growth of MedTech innovation in Iowa.
Ashley Cooney Pitching

Drops of Genius: Iowa Team Eyes Next Big Thing in Vision Care

Monday, June 1, 2026
On the first day of the Iowa Innovation Leadership Fellows program, Ashley Cooney introduced herself as a lung biologist. Optometrist Christine Sindt wasted no time: “I want to talk to you.” That conversation led to a breakthrough for patients with severely dry eyes.
Profile picture of Maddie Mocchi

A possible new approach to depression treatment

Tuesday, May 26, 2026
UI postdoc Maddie Mocchi’s research examines pupil as indicator of depression severity
Winter Philibert sitting in the lab

A path to improving lung defense systems

Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Doctoral student Winter Philibert analyzes the physical properties of mucus and how the lungs clean themselves in both healthy and diseased models.
Atraverse Medical Logo

Johnson & Johnson Acquires Atraverse Medical, Inc.

Thursday, May 21, 2026
Johnson & Johnson has completed the acquisition of Atraverse Medical, a privately-held medical device company pioneering next-generation left-heart access and radiofrequency technology.
James Byrne Healing in a Bubble Headshot

‘Healing in a bubble’: UI researcher publishes prize essay in 'Science'

Thursday, April 23, 2026
James Byrne named a finalist for the 2026 BioInnovation Institute & Science Prize for Innovation
Graphic that says Laura Rankin Innovation Fund with photo of Laura Rankin in the forefront and lab in the background

Investing in Innovation That Moves Care Forward

Monday, February 2, 2026
Laura Rankin (73MD) is helping fuel early-stage, clinician-driven innovation at the University of Iowa through the Laura Rankin Innovation Fund within the Office of Innovation.
Woman stands in front of an audience and projection screen presenting about her startup idea the scrotal sling

Iowa Nurse Innovators Pitch Competition 2025

Wednesday, December 17, 2025
$17,000 was awarded to three Iowa Nurses to support the advancement of innovations designed to improve patient care, enhance safety, and streamline clinical workflows.
UIHC Campus Drone Shot

Office of Innovation Awards 11 Innovation GAP Fund Projects Totaling $109,000

Thursday, December 11, 2025
The Innovation GAP Fund supports early-stage technology development across the University of Iowa, helping innovators de-risk research-based innovation with commercial potential. 

Media Highlights

2018_09_19-Drone Campus Images II-0258-HDR.JPG

University of Iowa opens two new spaces to support entrepreneurs

Tuesday, July 14, 2026
The University of Iowa has opened two new facilities intended to support startups at different stages of growth: the Medical Innovation Launch Lab (MILL), operated by the Office of Innovation, and a new downtown Iowa City incubator operated by the Tippie College of Business’ John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC).
Photo of a woman lying in a bed with a camera pointed at her

Iowa City’s Invizix wants to treat cancer while you sleep

Tuesday, July 7, 2026
An Iowa City-based biotech startup has created a non-invasive medical device the company hopes is capable of treating chronic diseases, including certain cancers, at the source.
Dr. Bob Cargill talks about the impact of the Dead Sea Scrolls on the interpretation of the Bible during the first official event of the partnership between the University of Iowa and the Downtown District at Prairie Lights Cafe in Iowa City, IA, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. Dr. Bob Cargill has been teaching archaeology at the University of Iowa since 2011.

UI, Iowa City Downtown District host first event in First Round Series

Thursday, February 19, 2026
After announcing the partnership on Feb. 10, the first event in the series was held at the Prairie Lights Cafe with UI associate professor Robert Cargill.

Upcoming Events

Food Truck Tuesdays at the Iowa Research Park promotional image

Food Truck Tuesdays at the Iowa Research Park

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 11:30am to 1:30pm
UI Bioventures Center
Food Truck Tuesdays feature a rotating lineup of local food trucks on the third Tuesday of each month, May through October, at the BioVentures Center.
Food Truck Tuesdays at the Iowa Research Park promotional image

Food Truck Tuesdays at the Iowa Research Park

Tuesday, August 18, 2026 11:30am to 1:30pm
UI Bioventures Center
Food Truck Tuesdays feature a rotating lineup of local food trucks on the third Tuesday of each month, May through October, at the BioVentures Center.
Food Truck Tuesdays at the Iowa Research Park promotional image

Food Truck Tuesdays at the Iowa Research Park

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 11:30am to 1:30pm
UI Bioventures Center
Food Truck Tuesdays feature a rotating lineup of local food trucks on the third Tuesday of each month, May through October, at the BioVentures Center.
Food Truck Tuesdays at the Iowa Research Park promotional image

Food Truck Tuesdays at the Iowa Research Park

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 11:30am to 1:30pm
UI Bioventures Center
Food Truck Tuesdays feature a rotating lineup of local food trucks on the third Tuesday of each month, May through October, at the BioVentures Center.

Past Events

Meet the NCI program director for SBIR and learn how to leverage SBIR/STTR funding for your project promotional image

Meet the NCI program director for SBIR and learn how to leverage SBIR/STTR funding for your project

Monday, September 9, 2024 10:00am to 12:00pm
Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building

The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs support small businesses across the United States to develop innovative cancer technologies with strong potential to help people live longer, healthier lives. The programs are a critical source of non-dilutive financing for early-stage companies, providing over $200M in fiscal year 2024 to develop next generation technologies. Registration is required. Please reg...

AI in Healthcare Symposium promotional image

AI in Healthcare Symposium

Thursday, June 20, 2024 3:00pm to 7:00pm
Courtyard Mariott University Heights

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the health care industry, with AI-powered medical innovations playing an increasingly important role in diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. However, with this innovation comes a new set of regulatory hurdles. Join the University of Iowa Office of Innovation for the AI in Healthcare Symposium, where industry pioneers and national policy experts will delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by starting and scaling AI-powered...