Thomas F. Floyd, MD, professor of anesthesiology at Stony Brook University, is one of five researchers to be awarded $50,000 through the SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund (TAF), which accelerates the development and commercialization of innovations by SUNY faculty, students and staff.
Dr. Floyd is developing a disposable spinal cord probe and related software to measure spinal cord blood flow and oxygenation. The probe will enable physicians to predict and prevent, in real time, the onset of spinal cord ischemia, which can lead to paralysis. The investment from TAF will provide the funds needed to develop a go-to-market disposable probe.
“Technologies and treatments founded on SUNY campuses can be life-altering, and this important program allows us to speed the development and commercial success of our best ideas and innovations,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “Projects supported by this most recent round of TAF funding could have an astounding impact on the health and well-being of New York’s citizens, industries and communities. Congratulations to each of the awardees.”
“We’re honored to support this latest testament to SUNY’s extraordinary research capacity,” said Dr. Tim Killeen, SUNY vice chancellor for research and president of the Research Foundation for SUNY. “TAF awards target critical research and development milestones – such as feasibility studies, prototyping and testing – that demonstrate that an idea or innovation has commercial potential. Our goal is to help students and faculty increase the attractiveness of their discoveries to potential outside investors.”
Since 2011, the TAF programhas invested more than $1.3 million in funding to support the advancement of SUNY innovations from the lab to the marketplace. External partners, including federal agencies, industry licensees and angel investors, have invested an additional $1.8 million in TAF-funded projects.
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