Neurons on the Run:
Brain, Brawn and Algorithms
Saturday, February 07, 2009
at the California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, California
The Caltech MIT Enterprise Forum will examine the progress in neural interactive medical devices, whether implantable or external, and the place of the entrepreneur in this captivating field. We will discuss the progress-to-date, the promise for the future, present priorities, the opportunities for entrepreneurs, and the prospects for private capital to fund promising companies.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Joseph Schulman
President and Chief Scientist
Alfred Mann Foundation
www.aemf.org
Dr. Schulman is the President and Chief Scientist of the Alfred Mann Foundation. The Foundation is a non-profit research organization devoted to the development of advanced medical products in a variety of fields. Prior to joining the Foundation, Dr. Schulman served as Vice President of Research and Development and Chief Scientist for Pacesetter Systems, Inc., Vice President of Advanced Research and Chief Scientist for MiniMed, Inc., and President of Neurodyne Corporation. In addition to his business activities, Dr. Schulman has contributed significantly to technical advances in medical technology. Dr. Schulman developed or initiated development of many leading edge medical products including the first reliable rechargeable cardiac pacemaker with bi-directional telemetry.
Speakers
Julia A. Kornfield
Professor of Chemical Engineering
California Institute of Technology
https://cheme.che.caltech.edu/groups/jak/index.shtml
Dr. Kornfield specializes in discovering chemical and mechanical changes that occur in biological material with the ultimate goal of using such understanding to develop methods that will delay, stop, or even reverse degenerative processes.
Erik Viirre, M.D., Ph.D.
Chairman
Otosound LLC
www.otosound.com
Dr. Viirre is an Assistant Adjunct Professor in the Division of Otolaryngology of the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, a Research Assistant Professor in the UCSD Department of Cognitive Science, as well as a practicing neurotologist. He is a scientific co-founder of TOP and has extensive research and clinical experience in the arena of hearing disorders. His clinical specialties are in the diagnosis and treatment of vertigo, motion sickness and balance problems as well as tinnitus.
Richard Alcott
President
Otosound LLC
www.otosound.com
A seasoned, iconic communication and marketing executive who brings advertising and entrepreneurial success demonstrating strategic focus in an increasingly diffused technology and communication marketplace. Richard gained national prominence as a media and communication executive. Today, Richard represents the lead investor position in Tinnitus Otosound Products, LLC through Future Vision Group, LLC. He has been active in four start-up companies and has taken lead roles in securing Angel and VC funding.
Stephen H. Watkins
Managing Director
Arcturus Capital
www.arcturusvc.com
Stephen Watkins is a founding partner of Arcturus Capital, an early stage venture capital firm focused on Southern California companies. Arcturus has $32MM under management and currently has a portfolio of fourteen companies. Mr. Watkins is currently Chairman of Ondax, Inc., a Board Member of Chimeros and Prolacta Biosciences, and a board observer at SupplyFrame and Digital Performance, Inc.
Panelists
Dr. Kevin J. Scanlon
Founder and CEO
International Bioscience
www.internationalbioscience.com
Currently, Kevin J. Scanlon is using his academic and business experience to mentor creative scientific ideas with good business practices to generate novel medical products. Entrepreneurs are supported with a strong management team and venture capital to make the successful transition from concept into a productive enterprise.
Hannah Dvorak-Carbone
Licensing Associate
Caltech Office of Technology Transfer
www.ott.caltech.edu
Hannah Dvorak-Carbone is a Licensing Associate with the Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) at Caltech, and a registered US Patent Agent. Her responsibilities at OTT include reviewing invention disclosures from Caltech researchers; making patent filing decisions and overseeing ongoing patent prosecution; and negotiating options, licenses, and other agreements related to Caltech intellectual property. Prior to joining OTT, Hannah spent several years as a management consultant with the Toronto office of McKinsey & Company.
Moderator/Producer
Russell M. Frandsen, Esq.
Attorney at Law
The Business Legal Group
www.businesslegalgroup.com
Mr. Frandsen practices law at the Business Legal Group. He has represented many technology and biomedical companies and bring