Page 14 - Abacoa Community News - April '25

Page 14, Abacoa
science on tHe cutting edge

institute joined the University of Florida in April of 2022. Parkinson’s research because
Awardees were presented with original artwork by mixed- he and Jane are hopeful that
media artist Andrew Wang, titled “Together We Rise.” there will one day be a cure
Each work is composed of colorful paper origami cranes, for those who come after him,”
a symbol of hope and resilience, arranged in the shape of Disney said. “Because of their
the institute’s iconic spire, which evokes the double helix investment, we were able to
of DNA rising skyward. get a translational grant that is
Scientific Director enabling us to make molecules Innovation Award Recipients:
Patrick Griffin, Ph.D., and get them into clinical Norma Klorfine with Dr. Tom
Tech Runway Entrepreneur provided an update on trials for people that have Kodadek, Len Klorfine, Dr.
Wins Funding From “Sharks” the institute since its UF Parkinson’s.” Herbert Wertheim
The Innovation in
integration, describing

At FAU’s CrocTank many new collaborations Discovery Award went to Len and Norma Klorfine. The
with the UF College of Klorfines are true supporters of their local community, providing
By Amber Bonefont Medicine, the UF College vital support to area arts, cultural, environmental and research
An entrepreneur from Florida Atlantic University’s Tech of Veterinary Medicine Scientific Director Patrick organizations.
Runway was offered $250,000 during CrocTank, a first-of-its- and the UF Health Cancer Griffin, Ph.D.; Jess Storm As supporters of the institute since 2013, the Klorfines have
kind live business pitch event recently hosted with the judges Center, in areas including Steele; Dr. Paul Schacknow boosted both education and research. Their most recent gifts
from ABC’s show “Shark Tank” at the Carole and Barry Kaye cancer, infectious diseases, supported work on innovative biomarker discovery methods
Performing Arts Auditorium, Boca Raton campus. and more. developed by chemist Thomas Kodadek, Ph.D.
“This UF institute here in Jupiter is a special place. The Klorfines have also recently supported doctoral
It’s where scientists examine the origin and complexity fellowships, including one based in the lab of professor Baoji
of diseases, in search of answers, to treat, or better yet, Xu, Ph.D. His student, Yuting Chang, is studying the molecular
prevent those diseases,” Griffin said. “Roughly a dozen mechanisms of diet-induced obesity.
of our faculty are members of UF Health’s Cancer Center, “I met Len and Norma Klorfine several years ago as a result
which is one of 72 centers with National Cancer Institute of their interest in a certain type of blood cancer called chronic
designation and one of only three in Florida. We’re bridging lymphocytic leukemia,” Kodadek said. “Over the years they
the research excellence here with the clinical expertise in have just continued this remarkable philanthropy, and they are
Gainesville.” some of the best friends this institute has ever had.”
Four contestants were chosen from the FAU ecosystem – Maria Gutierrez Martin, interim vice president for The Champion of
such as the Research Park and Tech Runway – to live pitch UF Advancement, announced the first Chairman’s Award Discovery Award went to
venture capitalist Kevin O’Leary, FUBU apparel founder would be granted to the institute’s namesake, Dr. Herbert the late Jerry Blumberg,
Daymond John and cyber-tech giant Robert Herjavec for the Wertheim, O.D., D.Sc., M.D., (hc), for his transformative who served for six years
chance to win investment money from one of the “sharks.” $100 million gift in 2022. “Your leadership extends far as the vice president of
In the end, O’Leary offered the money for a 20 percent share beyond the confines of a single field or discipline,” Martin the BallenIsles Men’s
to Andria Beal, Ph.D., owner of EpiPaws, a genetic testing said. “Through your transformational giving, you’ve Golf Association and
company that allows owners to learn the age of their animals. strengthened our university as a whole, making it a hub chaired their Prostate
“This first-of-its-kind business event was exceptional, where innovative ideas take root and flourish.” Cancer Golf Tournament. Champion in Discovery Award:
and we are proud of the innovation demonstrated in our FAU The evening’s moderator was WPBF25 News Anchor “For 15 years, Jerry Tracy Kerwin with Dr. Kendall
community’s pitches,” said Daniel Gropper, Ph.D., dean of Tiffany Kenney, who announced the highlight of the night, a gave generously of his time, Nettles accepted by Carole
FAU’s College of Business. “It is a demonstration of the series of five “Partners in Discovery” awards for foundations his passion, and his treasure Blumberg in…
strength of our entrepreneurial ecosystem at FAU, where we and donors whose support has been crucial to the institute’s to advancing the scientific
are all working to support our people in the pursuit of their achievements. understanding of prostate cancer, with the hope of finding better
individual versions of the American dream.” treatment options,” said Tracy Kerwin, executive director of
The other contestants included: The Awardees advancement for The Wertheim UF Sc ripps Institute.
• Tim Sperry with CarbonLimit/CaptureCrete, a product The Courage in Discovery Award went to Ed and Jane Scientific Director Griffin recalled playing golf with
added to concrete that reduces CO pollution. Greenberg. The Greenbergs’ generosity enabled establishment Blumberg during the BallenIsles tournament.
2
• Kaustubh Kale with Hemotag, a non-invasive heart health of the Ed and Jane Greenberg Postdoctoral Fellowship in “I was excited to see their enthusiasm for the research
monitor. Herjavec offered a deal to Kale but it was declined. Parkinson’s Disease at The Wertheim UF Scripps Institute, in going on at the Wertheim UF Scripps campus, and their
• Hannah Herbst with AutoTQ, an automated tourniquet the lab of Institute Professor and Chemistry Department Chair enthusiasm for research on prostate cancer,” Griffin said.
to stop blood loss. Matthew Disney, Ph.D. Blumberg died just shy of his 93rd birthday on May
The event began with remarks from Boca Raton Mayor Disney’s team is developing an RNA-modifying drug 25, 2024. Accepting the award on his behalf was his wife,
Scott Singer, FAU President Stacy Volnick and Daniel candidate engineered to neutralize a genetic cause of Parkinson’s. Carole Blumberg.
Gropper, Ph.D., dean of FAU’s College of Business, followed “Ed has shared with me that he doesn’t expect to see a
by a moderated fireside chat between the judges with Michael cure for Parkinson’s in his lifetime. But he’s investing in Science on the Cutting Edge on page 15
Kupinski from Noble Capital Markets.
The CrocTank event was part of NobleCon 20, the Noble
Capital Markets Annual Emerging Growth Equity Conference
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In a heartfelt series of presented with the Chairman’s
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