Author: Bioventures Team
News

New Podcast Episode: Innovation Day 2026

Innovation Day 2026, held August 19 at UAMS, brought together more than 100 researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, investors, attorneys, and industry leaders to explore how discoveries can move toward real-world impact. Throughout the day, speakers shared insights on funding, intellectual property, regulatory pathways, technology transfer, and commercialization, highlighting the importance of collaboration and practical conversations in advancing innovation. In this new episode, hear recorded highlights from guest speakers featured during the first portion of Innovation Day 2026 and revisit some of the ideas and perspectives that shaped the event. Listen to the episode now.

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October 7, 2026
News

BioVentures Establishes the Dr. Samir Jenkins Innovation Travel Award 

BioVentures has established the Dr. Samir Jenkins Innovation Travel Award to honor an exceptional scientist, mentor, entrepreneur, and friend whose work and vision left a lasting impact at UAMS and beyond.  Dr. Samir Jenkins, Ph.D., combined rigorous scientific research with a deep commitment to translating discoveries into meaningful applications. Through his work in cancer nanomedicine, he advanced nanoparticle-based therapeutics, contributed to commercialization efforts with BioVentures, and inspired colleagues with his creativity, generosity, energy, and entrepreneurial drive.  Created in his memory, the award supports UAMS researchers, faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and instructors who share Samir’s passion for innovation and technology translation. Funding may be used to attend conferences or training opportunities focused on commercialization, entrepreneurship, innovation, or moving research discoveries toward practical use.  By helping participants gain new knowledge, develop valuable connections, and strengthen their commercialization skills, the award is intended to accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to real-world impact, and continue the work Samir cared deeply about.  Applicants are invited to submit a brief proposal identifying the conference or training opportunity they wish to attend and explaining how the experience will support the translation of their research into practice.  Apply for the Dr. Samir Jenkins Innovation Travel Award. 

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August 2, 2026
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BioVentures Podcast Episode 20: TTO to TTO with Arkansas State University

Technology transfer is evolving rapidly, and collaboration between institutions has never been more important. In Episode 20 of the BioVentures Podcast, we welcome Luna Acosta, Director of Technology Transfer at Arkansas State University, for a conversation about the changing landscape of research commercialization and the future of university innovation. Drawing on her experience leading Arkansas State University’s technology transfer efforts, Acosta shares insights into how technology transfer offices are adapting to meet the needs of today’s researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry partners. The discussion explores how artificial intelligence is beginning to influence research commercialization, why customer discovery has become a critical component of successful innovation, and how strategic partnerships with industry can accelerate the path from discovery to impact. The episode also examines an important shift occurring across the technology transfer profession: moving beyond traditional success metrics such as patent counts to focus on the real-world impact of university innovations. Acosta and the BioVentures team discuss the current funding environment, the lasting importance of the Bayh-Dole Act in supporting innovation, and the role that collaboration among Arkansas institutions plays in strengthening the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Whether you’re a researcher looking to commercialize your work, an entrepreneur interested in university innovation, or a technology transfer professional, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of research commercialization. Listen to Episode 20 of the BioVentures Podcast and join the conversation on how collaboration, innovation, and technology transfer are driving meaningful impact across Arkansas and beyond.

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July 28, 2026