Integrative Graduate
Education and
Research Traineeship

Highlight

UC Irvine IGERT LifeChips Research Team Wins UCI Business Plan Competition

UC Irvine IGERT LifeChips affiliated research team wins UCI Business Plan Competition

Projects:

IGERT: Life Chip

Institution:

University of California at Irvine

Primary Strategic Goal:

Research Infrastructure: Build the Nation's research capability through critical investments in advanced instrumentation, facilities, cyber infrastructure, and experimental tools.

Secondary Strategic Goal:

Learning: Build the Nation's research capability through critical investments in advanced instrumentation, facilities, cyber infrastructure, and experimental tools.

Achievement/Results

An IGERT LifeChips affiliated research team at UC Irvine won the 2013 UC Irvine Business Plan Competition. Under the leadership of Professor Zuzanna Siwy, IGERT LifeChips fellows Ashley Fong and Laura Innes competed as members of the research team. The company, NoreGen, presented a device for circulating tumor cell (CTCs) detection and the isolation of live CTCs. This test will be able to help doctors and oncologists better monitor their patients cancer and guide their treatment. The research team included the following individuals: -Ashley Fong, Graduate Student and IGERT LifeChips Fellow, UCI Molecular Biology and Biochemistry -Matthew Schiel, Graduate Student, UCI Biomedical Engineering -Neychelle Fernandes, FTMBA UCI Paul Merage School of Business -Jonathan Lin, MD FTMBA UCI Paul Merage School of Business -Robert Joachim, Graduate Student, UCI Physics -Laura Innes, Graduate Student and IGERT LifeChips Fellow, UCI Physics -Zuzanna Siwy, Professor and IGERT LifeCHips Advisor, UCI Physics -Alvin Viray, JD, UCI OT (Coach) The team won The UC Irvine School of Medicine Life Sciences Invitational Award for $30,000 and 3rd place in the Campus-Wide Division for $3,500.

Address Goals

Primary Goal: Research Infrastructure This research team developed a device for circulating tumor cell (CTCs) detection and the isolation of live CTCs. This test will assist our nations’ doctors and oncologists in monitoring the development of cancer in patients and improve the timeliness of treatment. Secondary Goal: Learning This development of this device for circulating tumor cell (CTCs) detection and the isolation of live CTCs can lead to furthering our nations’ education in the prevention of cancer.