U.Va. Faculty Entrepreneurs 'Confess': Tell-All Networking Series Kicks Off Sept. 23

Text reads: True confessions of a faculty entrepreneur. Conversations with UVA Faculty who have translated their research discoveries into successful start-up ventures.  The UVA research community is invited to attend...From novel gene to the drug store shelf: Contravac's spremchecksaga.  John C. Herr, PH.D. UVA professor of cell biology and CEO of ContraVac Inc. Edward J. Leary, President and CFO of ContraVac Inc.  5:30pm Thursday, September 23 Rotunda (Dome Rome) - Networking Reception to follow.  Central

"True Confessions of a Faculty Entrepreneur"

September 17, 2010 — University of Virginia researchers considering starting a company are invited to hear colleagues' "true confessions" of their own experiences beginning Sept. 23.

Back by popular demand, "True Confessions of a Faculty Entrepreneur" is a lecture and networking series featuring conversations with U.Va. faculty who have translated their research discoveries into successful start-up ventures. The series was launched last March to harness the collective wisdom of U.Va.'s growing entrepreneurial technology community.

The first fall "confession" will be "From Novel Gene to the Drug Store Shelf: ContraVac's SpermCheck Saga," featuring ContraVac Inc. founders John C. Herr, U.Va. professor of cell biology, and Edward J. Leary, ContraVac president and chief financial officer. Herr and Leary will share their experiences navigating the waters of company formation, FDA approval and product sales with the company's family of "SpermCheck" products, at-home diagnostic tools that provide men with accurate information about their sperm counts.

Their talk will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 23 in the Rotunda's Dome Room. A networking reception will follow in the Rotunda's Lower West Oval Room. Central Grounds Garage parking will be validated for attendees.

RSVP by Sept. 21 to Crystal Ballif at crystal@uvapf.org. For information, visit www.uvapf.org/trueconfessions or contact Morgan Estabrook at morgan@uvapf.org or 434-982-4191.

The event is hosted by the U.Va. Patent Foundation, the U.Va. Office of Economic Development, the Office of the Vice President for Research, the School of Medicine Office of Research, the T100 Program, the Wallace H. Coulter Translational Research Partnership, and the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Darden School of Business.

The next "True Confessions" event will be held Oct. 19, when Brian R. Wamhoff, assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine and biomedical engineering, will talk on "HemoShear LLC: What Do You Do When 'It' Happens?"

On Nov. 9, Barry W. Johnson, senior associate dean and associate dean for research of the School of Engineering and Applied Science, will discuss "Lessons Learned in the Trenches of Entrepreneurship."

Both talks will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Rotunda Dome Room, with networking receptions to follow.

— By Morgan Estabrook

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