ASU engineering leaders talk innovation, industry partnerships and entrepreneurship – Phoenix Business Journal
Nadya Bliss, who helms ASU’s Global Security Initiative and is the principal investigator of the Foresight Initiative, works with big data and cybersecurity. Instead of the internet of things, she prefers the term “internet of everyone” as she analyzes data streams from a number of sources and finds new ways to secure computer devices.
“More devices mean more data and more vulnerabilities,” said Bliss, who spent 10 years at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. “There is a growing need for more cybersecurity. You need to listen to computer scientists. We know what we’re talking about.”
Her focus is on research with an impact, and stressed that a diverse, talent pipeline is “incredibly important” for ASU.
Marco Santello, a director and professor in ASU’s School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, works with biomedical technologies. He enjoys understanding how the brain works, especially when it comes to strokes, cognitive declines and diseases.
ASU engineering leaders talk innovation, industry partnerships and entrepreneurship – Phoenix Business Journal
“We come up with devices to help mitigate these problems, including working with neuroprosthetics,” said Santello, who partners with the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. “Bringing together academia and the industry is key to streamlining cooperation.”
Thomas Sugar, a professor who leads a research effort in wearable robotic systems, works with robotics and manufacturing. He co-founded SpringActive Inc., which builds powered prosthetic ankles and exoskeletons, and the Wearable Robotics Association, which hosts an annual wearable robotics conference WearRAcon in Phoenix starting April 19.
ASU engineering leaders talk innovation, industry partnerships and entrepreneurship – Phoenix Business Journal
“Robotics is blooming right now,” said Sugar, who added he recently hired 15 new robotics faculty. “Through wearable robotics, we’re trying to improve the quality of life to help with mobility and rehabilitation.”
Sugar is working with various industries to help improve the quality of work. For example, building exoskeletons employees can use around the back or shoulders during routine manufacturing work to help them work without pain and any need for future surgery.
“Robots don’t take away jobs,” he said. “We’re just trying to improve jobs, not take away jobs.”
Zachary Holman, an assistant professor and active researcher in the Quantum Energy and Sustainable Solar Technology Engineering Research Center, works with renewable energy. He also co-founded Swift Coat, an ASU spin-off company that deals with nanoparticle coating and is a finalist in the ASU Innovation Open.
Holman’s research focuses on solar cells and new applications, as well as storage solutions for solar. He added ASU has 10 faculty working on solar, which is far greater than other universities.
“We are pushing the efficiency on solar cells,” said Holman, whose recent collaboration with Stanford University nearly matched the efficiency record of solar cells. “ASU is a hub for solar activity.”
Everyone touted the importance of industry partnerships and need for business mentors to work with students.
“We need to make sure bridges are built to make connections in the community,” Santello said.
Squires said the school has an “ambitious task to make a real impact,” and encouraged industry leaders to reach out to work with ASU.
Any interested business mentors or companies interested in partnering with ASU should email entrepreneurship@asu.edu.
Hayley Ringle covers technology and startups for the Phoenix Business Journal.