Skip to main content
University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships
University of Michigan Innovation Partnerships
News

MTRAC Life Sciences Innovation Hub Awards $1.9M to Support Biomedical Research

6/15/2026

Fifteen biomedical research projects aimed at positively impacting human health have received more than $1.9 million in early- and mid-stage funding through the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Life Sciences Innovation Hub.

Developed by researchers at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University, these projects will help improve societal well-being through a wide variety of disciplines, including electrical engineering, dentistry, chemistry and pharmacology.

“Every year, the MTRAC Life Sciences Innovation Hub proves itself as an engine for biomedical discovery and research translation across Michigan,” said Kelly Sexton, associate vice president for research – innovation partnerships and economic impact. 

“The breadth and ingenuity represented by this year’s awardees, from engineering to dentistry and beyond, showcase how research from our state’s universities fuels real progress in medicine and technology. The collective effort of the MTRAC program is expanding the state of Michigan’s reputation as a leader in biomedical innovation and economic impact.”

Mid-stage funding awards were presented to eight projects:

  • Amar Basu (WSU): Scalable Manufacturing for a Wearable Orthostatic Monitoring System
  • Michael Deininger (U-M): Development of BCR::ABL1 Protein Degraders to Eradicate Persistent Leukemia Stem Cells in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
  • Carolyn Harris (WSU): Optimizing Shunt Insertion with the AccuCID
  • Sophia Lunt and Richard Lunt (MSU): Next Generation Photosensitizers for Resistant Head and Neck Cancers
  • Nouri Neamati (U-M): Preclinical Development of First-in-Class NDUFS7 Inhibitors
  • Yamaan Saadeh and Albert Shih (U-M): A Microdiscectomy Device for the Safe and Efficient Removal of Cartilaginous Endplates in Lumbar Fusion Surgery
  • Charles Schuler and Sherman Fan (U-M): Propelling an Anaphylaxis Detector to Market
  • Cristiane Squarize and Rogerio Castilho (U-M): NextGen Follicle Revival: Targeted Drug Delivery to Stimulate Anagen and Hair Regrowth

Additionally, seven early-stage “Kickstart” grants were provided to the following projects: 

  • Ruma Banerjee (U-M): PhysioLid: Physiologic Gas Control Across Plate-Based Imaging and Assays
  • James Bour (WSU): Development of a Thermally Regulated iNO Delivery System
  • Nisha D’Silva (U-M): Therapeutic to Sensitize Oral Cancer to Radiation
  • James Moon (U-M): Clinically-Backed Prebiotic Inulin Gel
  • Julien Sebag (U-M): Developing Prokineticin Receptor 2 Agonists for the Treatment of Obesity
  • Jean Tien (U-M): Development of Novel AR-CDK12 DALTACs to Target Prostate Cancer
  • Ashootosh (Ashu) Tripathi (U-M): DeepChiral: An AI-Powered ECD Spectrum Generation Application for Chirality Characterization

MTRAC Life Sciences mid-stage funding awardees were selected by an oversight committee composed of experienced technologists, entrepreneurs, industry partners and venture capitalists developing and investing in life sciences technologies. Kickstart funding awardees were selected by a committee of tech transfer professionals from across the state. Applicants and awardees benefit from access to experienced mentors-in-residence, commercialization education programming and feedback from an extended network of professionals.

“For more than 10 years, the MTRAC Life Sciences Innovation Hub has provided vital funding to high-impact biomedical research,” said Larry Herriman, university technology program director for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

“The support this program provides, both through financial compensation and hands-on mentorship, has resulted in huge returns in follow-on funding, job creation and technology licensing. This year’s projects are joining a strong lineage of success, and I have no doubt they will continue that trend.”

The MTRAC Life Sciences Innovation Hub is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and co-managed by Innovation Partnerships and Fast Forward Medical Innovation, based in the Medical School Office of Research.

Since 2014, the MTRAC Life Sciences Innovation Hub has provided more than $29 million to support Michigan-based projects across the field of biomedical research. Projects supported by the hub have yielded more than $491 million in follow-on funding, launched more than 50 startups and created over 390 high-tech jobs. 

Recently, Michigan-based Stryker Corporation acquired U-M startup Amplitude Vascular Systems for $835 million, which was based on research supported by MTRAC Life Sciences through early- and mid-stage awards in 2018 and 2019.

“The MTRAC program exists to bridge the gap between breakthrough science and real-world impact, and this year’s awardees are a testament to just how much potential exists within Michigan’s research institutions,” said Meghan Cuddihy, commercialization program director for MTRAC Life Sciences.

“From early-stage Kickstart projects to mid-stage development, we are investing in innovations that have the power to transform patient care, strengthen Michigan’s economy and elevate our state’s standing in the world of biomedical research.”