Kauffman Professors Previous Winners

Kauffman Professors Competition Information

2009 Kauffman Professor Winners

	Anuradha Godavarty, PhD Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering Title of submission:  Novel Hand-held Optical Imager for Breast Cancer Diagnostics; Translational and Commercialization Efforts In this proposal, the PI focuses on integrating research and academic activities with entrepreneurial aspects of her emerging novel hand-held optical imager for breast cancer diagnostics. The three-fold objective is to: (i) demonstrate the effectiveness of hand held optical imager in-vivo on human breast tissues for cancer diagnostics (research), (ii) develop a commercialization strategy from the preliminary market analysis (entrepreneurship); and (iii) integrate research and commercialization strategy in the curriculum to train next generation engineers in entrepreneurship (curriculum).  The long-term goal is to translate the technology to the clinic and parallely develop strategies to commercialize the product (two patents filed by PI).
	Chenzhong Li, PhD Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering Title of submission: Entrepreneurial Opportunities and Education of Nanotechnology in Biomedical Engineering The proposed program will develop a new course to improve the entrepreneurship skills of the students in life science associated with nanotechnology. Through the course students will learn project managerial skills required to run nanotechnology. This course will also be aimed at introducing students studying life science and engineering to business plan development and intellectual property, so that they are equipped to address issues that lie at the interface of technological innovations and business development.
	Chunlei Wang, PhD Assistant Professor, Mechanical and Materials Engineering, College of Engineering Title of submission: High Capacity High Power Density Micropower Source The technical goal of this project is to develop Si based high capacity high power density Li-ion micro-batteries. Prioritized target market plan will also be developed. This project will support and promote the Motorola Nanofabrication Research Facility, foster entrepreneurial research culture, help students to develop entrepreneurial skills through training and practice.
	David Wernick, Instructor Department of Management and International Business, College of Business Administration Title of submission: Winning Strategies of Minority Entrepreneurs: Interviews with South Florida’s Small Business Owners This project will seek to illuminate the secrets of South Florida’s thriving minority small business sector while providing a unique resource for instructors teaching undergraduate courses in management, marketing, finance, and other disciplines. It will consist of a series of 60 Minutes-style multimedia interviews with minority entrepreneurs across a variety of sectors – from healthcare to aviation. The interviews, to be conducted by Professor Wernick and streamed over the Web, will examine the origins and evolution of the ventures, the managerial philosophies of the founders and key principals, the key strategic and tactical decisions made by senior executives, and the current and future competitive landscape in their respective industries
	Fatma Huffman, PhD Professor and Chair Dietetics and Nutrient, Stempel School of Public Health  Title of submission: Entrepreneurship Skills Development for Students in the Dietetics and Nutrition Programs at FIU Objective of the proposed program is to design and implement a course to teach the students how to become entrepreneurs in the field of Dietetics and Nutrition and market their own products and services.  This program will demonstrate how they can start a business, fund and market their product and services, how to price their time and products and how to advertise. Billing for services and insurance reimbursements will also be discussed.  Success of the program will be measured by follow up with students and continuation of interest in the program.
	George Philippidis, PhD Research Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Associate Director, Applied Research Center (ARC), College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) Title of submission: Seeding Biofuel Entrepreneurship in South Florida This proposal will initiate the development of a platform of algal Biofuel technologies, which will serve as the entrepreneurial basis for creating, incubating, and staffing spin-off Biofuel companies. Such spin-offs will subsequently seek venture capital to pursue commercialization of biodiesel for motor vehicles and marine vessels, jet fuel for aviation, and logistical fuel for the US military.
	Karen Paul, PhD Professor, Department of Management and International Business, College of Business Administration Title of submission: Socially Responsible Investment Fund Entrepreneurs: An Application of the Web of Dialogue Model to Social Entrepreneurship This interview study will apply the “web of dialogue” model to social venture entrepreneurs, taking as its sample the founders of socially responsible investment (SRI) funds, founders of organizations created to further SRI, and other SRI entrepreneurs such as the founders of key consulting firms that support SRI.  The main objectives are the following: to investigate in what respects SRI entrepreneurs resemble or differ from other entrepreneurs based on characteristics identified in the literature on entrepreneurs, to consider the networks that facilitated communication among SRI entrepreneurs, their participation in key organizations, and other relational ties, and to apply the “web of dialogue” model to SRI entrepreneurs and to the SRI movement.
	Lidia Kos, PhD Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences Title of submission:  Development of a alpha-MSH/Edn3 based topical composition for skin wound healing and re-pigmentation. The objective of this proposal is to characterize and provide topically applicable dermatological / cosmetic / pharmaceutical compositions comprising a dose controlled melanin synthesis agent as well as a melanocyte migration enhancing factor. We will characterize the in vitro pigmentary properties of small peptides compositions on melanocyte cell lines and their in vivo action on mouse dorsal skin scar healing and re-pigmentation. Upon completion of the project, we hope to identify an effective composition suitable for patent submission.
	Nathan Katz, PhD Professor/Chairperson, Religious Studies, College of Arts and Sciences Title of submission: Spirituality and Entrepreneurship This project is to design a new undergraduate course, "Contemporary Global Spirituality," which will explore the application of spirituality to the professions from multicultural perspectives. Each time it is offered, entrepreneurship will be one of three professions that will be explored. In the Fall 2009 semester, the Program will present three lectures on spirituality and entrepreneurship.
	David Bray, PhD Associate Professor, Environmental Studies, College of Arts and Sciences Title of submission: Carbon Market Entrepreneurialism: Examining Models for Linking Global Carbon Markets and the Indigenous Forest Communities in Mexico.
	Yong Cai, PhD Department of Chemistry and SERC, College of Arts and Sciences Title of submission: Development and Marketing of a Novel Analytical Service for Organomercury Species.

Under the provisions of the Kauffman Campuses gift from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to the Pino Center, thirty (30) Florida International University (FIU) full-time faculty (tenure earning, tenured or non-tenured) will be selected to receive awards of up to $15,000 to foster entrepreneurial activities, research, and courses within their home disciplines. Award winners will be chosen annually over the five years of the gift.

In 2009, the final year of funding, as many as fifteen (15) Kauffman Professors will be selected from worthy proposals. Faculty from any college or school at FIU on any of its campuses are able to apply to this program. Faculty may be awarded only one grant and all awardees are required to submit a report on the previous year's activities at the conclusion of the one-year award period. A maximum of $15,000 may be used for faculty salary, student salary, travel, research infrastructure and/or supplies. The selection committee has in the past awarded teams of faculty with larger grants that required multiple disciplinary inputs.  The committee reserves the right to modify budgets to conform to the guidelines from the Kauffman Foundation.

All applicants are encouraged to become aware of goals and activities of the Pino Center by visiting the center web site ( www.entrepreneurship.fiu.edu ). Phone and e-mail inquiries with the Entrepreneurial Academy Director about proposal suitability are also encouraged. Please call or e-mail Dr. Jose Almirall (305-348-3917 or almirall@fiu.edu ) with any questions about the program.

Application Procedures for 2009 Kauffman Professor Awards

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The Kauffman Professors Program is intended to create an awareness of, an appetite for, and application of entrepreneurship within every aspect of the university. Kauffman Professors can use the award funding to:

• Develop or enhance curricular and experiential learning opportunities to promote entrepreneurial skills and actions across all aspects of the university.
• Pursue research in entrepreneurship or pursue research that is entrepreneurial in nature.
• Generate preliminary data or works that will lead to applications from external funding sources to continue the proposed activities.
• Any other suitable activity that contributes to Entrepreneurship at the university.

The Pino Center defines “entrepreneurship” as the identification and pursuit of opportunities beyond the resources one currently controls. The selection committee will take a broad view of the term across disciplines. Successful proposals will describe how the proposed activities are entrepreneurial and foster the goals of the Pino Center and the strategic mission of FIU.

2009 Program Deadlines
Monday, January 5, 2009 – Submission deadline for proposals. All proposals must be delivered to the GEC offices (VH 130) by 4 PM
on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. Late proposals will not be considered.

Friday, January 23, 2009 - Notification of awards at the awards ceremony which will also include presentations from the 2008 Kauffman Professor awardees. 


Friday, March 6, 2009 – The 2008 Awardees submit their final reports to the Entrepreneurial Academy Director.

Monday, June 1, 2009 – Last day to submit account number for the deposit of funds (in order to receive the award, an auxiliary account must be set up). Account numbers not received by this date will result in the loss of the award for the related professor(s).

Monday, January 11, 2010 – The 2009 Awardees submit their final reports to the Center.

Additional Expectations
Kauffman Professors at FIU are expected to become actively involved with the Pino Center, and to propose future activities for the Center. These may include presenting the results of the funded work as a part of the Center's Spectrum Lecture Series. Winners are expected to foster an entrepreneurial spirit on campus and involve students, staff and faculty in their enthusiasm for entrepreneurship. Award winners are also expected to attend the annual Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame Awards and participate in Entrepreneurship Weeks at FIU including the annual Entrepreneur Challenge student competition. Faculty who create new courses will be expected to teach the new course at least three times in the next five years (a letter of support from the department chair would strengthen course creation proposals). Research support should be acknowledged in any publications.

Selection Committee
The selection committee will be chaired by the Entrepreneurial Academy Director and include Associate Deans, Chairs, Center Directors and other faculty representing all disciplines across the university.

Award Disbursement
The award will be deposited in a university account for the recipient to use based on the approved budget. (Budgets for research proposals will be reviewed by RUGS).

Proposal Requirements and Guidelines
Kauffman Professor proposals are expected to address at least one of the following specific activities below, with specific emphasis in one area. The Selection Committee will favor proposals that include synergy between the areas listed below.

Academic Courses. Incorporate entrepreneurial content into an existing course(s) or create a new course with entrepreneurial content. Faculty should indicate how this course fits within the strategic interests of their home department and the goals of the GEC. All entrepreneurship courses should be developed such that they are open to students outside of their home department and be sustained beyond the period of the Kauffman Campuses gift.
• Description of existing or proposed course in which entrepreneurial content will be included. Provide as much detail as possible to show how this course fits the strategic direction of the home department.
• Intended beneficiaries of the course proposed including how frequently this course might be taught within your department or how this course might be cross listed with other departments or colleges.
• Indicate how this course will be sustained beyond the period of the Kauffman Campuses gift to FIU.
• How will these course activities tie to both research and external funding activities for this class and the home academic department.
• How it furthers the goals of the Kauffman Campuses Gift to the Pino Global Entrepreneurship Center

Research/Professional Activity. Propose some entrepreneurial research or new professional activity within their discipline and to show how funds from the Kauffman Professors Program will be used to support this effort. Faculty will also describe how their work will be distributed to a wider academic and public audience including academic journal, exhibits, etc. It would be expected that this research or professional activity will be continued through external funding support in the future.
• Description of your research or professional activity that is to be supported by this grant.
• Timeline and detail budget for the research-professional project.
• Measures of success in this project.
• Plan for reporting and communicating about this project to the appropriate audiences and constituencies.
• Plan for seeking external funding to continue to support the activity.
Total number of pages for application cannot exceed six (6) pages (double spaced with 12 pt font) excluding the title page, budget page and references.

Proposed Budget
Each submission should include a one page detailed budget to include all allowable categories: salaries, assistantships, travel, equipment, supplies and other. Please include a 4% overhead charge within the budget (ie. for a proposal that requests a total of $ 15,000, there must be a category for "overhead" for the amount of: $ 600. for a total of $ 14.400. of available funds in all other categories).

Submission Format
A proposal submission form is included below. Proposals are due at the GEC offices (VH 130) no later than 4 PM on Monday, January 5, 2009.