Rotary File - February 4, 2014
Chris Knapp was the greeter this morning. President Cook called the meeting to order at 7:05 AM
Guest and Visiting Rotarians: Phil Peterson, Cedar Rapids Rotary; Rebecca Schultz, Iowa City Noon; David Johnsen, Iowa City Noon, guest of Deb Galbraith; Pat Barron, West Chester, PA Rotary; Helen Dickerson and Katherine Valde, Iowa City Rotaract, guests of Jim Peterson; Sandy Kray, guest of Sue Cronin; Hazel Seaba, guest of Jim Peterson.
The club inducted two new members. Hazel Seaba is in Pharmacy Education at the University of Iowa. Sandy Kray is a Support Service Specialist at the Center for Disabilities and Development at the University of Iowa.
Mark Patton announced that there are more bowlers needed for Bowl for Kid’s Sake on March 1.
Deb Pullin Van-Auken announced that there will be a 4-H Gala on March 1. She passed out flyers regarding this event.
Chris Knapp announced that Amber Hoffman, Youth Exchange Student 2002-2003 and District 6000 Rotex member, was inducted into the Rotary Club of Centerville, Wednesday, January 29, 2014. She is the first Rotex member of any Iowa Rotary club.
Nenu mentioned to get your reservations in for 2014 International Convention in Australia.
Liz Nichols stated that the Knapp’s will host TaeSuen Yun beginning February 15, 2014. Liz requested that the club become more involved with find host family for the coming year.
John Ockenfels announced that all of the Assistant District Governors have been selected. John also mentioned that district-wide, there are still some clubs that have not yet selected their President Elects that will be participating in the multi-district PETS in Rochester, MN, March 7 & 8.
Nancy Pacha stated that the annual Dance for Humanity will be February 22, 2014 and thanked the two Rotaract students for coming today.
Frank Juvan introduced today’s speaker: Paul Dymenski, Associate Director for The University of Iowa Research Foundation Asset Development.
Dr. Dymerski joined the University Research Foundation in 2011, focusing on Intellectual Property discovery and new venture creation. Prior to joining the U of I Research Foundation, Paul had broad experience in a wide range of technology commercialization and new venture projects in an academic environment as an Executive Mentor for the Entrepreneurial Center in the Fisher School of Business at the Ohio State University.
Paul also has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, creating a number of new ventures in the biotech, software, IT, environmental, and pharmaceutical services industries. As CEO of Applied Biomolecular Technologies, Inc., Paul was involved in proof-of concept, prototype development and commercialization road-mapping for numerous biotechnology clients. Paul has a PhD. in chemistry from Case Western Reserve and an MS from the University of Idaho. He has performed research at the University of Toronto, Cornell University and the State of New York Health Dept. Paul is married and has two sons.
Paul talked about “Rethinking University Economic Development” Three items were discussed:
Build applied R & D partnerships -Target real world business problems, Develop staff and trade secret protections, Support student internships, and company evaluation of students.
Accelerate entrepreneurship - Encourage faculty/staff/student startups via culture and policy; Leverage incubation facilities and UI Research Park; Increase cross-fertilization across asses.
Take the engagement across the state - Project skills, expertise and information; Partner with local, state and regional economic development organizations.
The principle behind the Research Foundation is to put into the public domain the results of federally funded research. This means that where there is an opportunity to develop technology, medicines and intellectual property that can benefit society the foundation helps bring these developments to fruition. The foundation is the result of the Feinstein Act passed by congress.
Paul reported that there are 25 Ventures in the Foundation’s pipeline. The student are usually from the following disciplines - MBA, Engineering and Law. They are helping to create one year business plans, raise money, to work with electronics, software and plastics.
President Cook adjourned meeting at 7:55 AM
Respectively Submitted,
Vernette Knapp, Scribe