On Sept. 24, Innovation Partnerships hosted more than 300 attendees at its annual Celebrate Invention event. Members of the University of Michigan community and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem gathered together at the Michigan League to honor campus innovators and the societal impact of their discoveries.

The event kicked off with the Distinguished University Innovator of the Year Award panel and presentation. This year’s award recipient was Dr. Zhong He, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences. He received this year’s award for the wide-ranging academic and economic impact of his work in nuclear radiation. 

Following He’s presentation there was a panel discussion titled “From Lab to Launch: Radiation Detection Technology Transforming Industry and Healthcare.” Moderated by Kelly Sexton, associate vice president for research – innovation partnerships and economic impact, the panel included He and the CEOs of his three startups: Willy Kaye, CEO of H3D; Mike Hopkins, CEO of M3D and Xiaopei Huang, CEO of MH3D.

After the panel, the Celebrate Invention networking reception with technology demonstrations began. Sexton opened the remarks where she shared many updates from the Innovation Partnerships team, including new resources such as the next round of the Accelerate Blue Foundry opening and the new WAVE Venture Studio in Ann Arbor. 

“We would not be having this level of impact if not for the brilliance and drive of our faculty, coupled with a strong partnership with our surrounding innovation ecosystem,” Sexton said. 

“We realize it is the combination of efforts from our partners in the venture and entrepreneurial communities that make our region successful, and at Innovation Partnerships we are committed to increasing our collaboration with all of you to accelerate our economic impact in our region.”

Remarks were also provided by Vice President for Research and Innovation Arthur Lupia, who presented the Distinguished University Innovator of the Year Award to He. 

“Celebrate Invention is a wonderful time for us to honor U-M inventors and recognize their efforts to move research discoveries to the marketplace, where they can improve and even save lives, enhance societal wellbeing and create economic opportunity,” Lupia said.

Upon the conclusion of remarks, attendees toured the room, where nine dynamic U-M startups and technologies showcased their work. The projects and startups included:

• Detroit River Story Lab – The Detroit River Story Lab is a university initiative that addresses the widespread fraying of our social fabric by catalyzing civic engagement and community empowerment through place-based narrative infrastructure.
• Fragmatics –  Fragmatics is developing the “Gold Standard” in Proteomic search engine optimization and related tools for use in academic and commercial settings.
• General Orbit Company – General Orbit Company is revolutionizing the commercial space industry creating scientific sensors, attitude determination and control system technology that combines low-resource sensors with machine-learning algorithms to operate in any orbit on any platform.
• GripFusion – GripFusion is an AI-powered sports technology company pioneering grip-sensing sporting equipment that delivers real-time biomechanical feedback.
• Intero Biosystems – Intero Biosystems is developing adult stem cell–derived miniature human organs to predict drug behavior in humans before clinical trials.
• M3D – M3D is developing real-time radiation imaging cameras to assist surgeons in the operating room, monitor patient radiation treatments, support in the cleanup of radioactive contamination and perform dosimetry for patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment.
• MELD Health – MELD Health created a next-generation, mobile-based conversational AI agent called DocTrekTM that is transforming patient-centered care. Powered by advanced Large Language Models, the technology engages patients and streamlines clinical workflows.
• Sequestro, Inc. – Sequestro, Inc. is a B2B advanced materials manufacturer revolutionizing the water purification market with its innovative, bio-based PFAS adsorbents based on a patented wood-fiber functionalization process.
• Taza Aya – Taza Aya is developing maskless personal respiratory protection against airborne viruses.