Five University of Toronto researchers have been recognized with the inaugural Derrick Rossi Innovation Awards for leading innovative projects with strong potential to transition research into real-world applications that achieve maximum impact.
A September 11 announcement at U of T News, written by Diane Peters, celebrates Professor Molly Shoichet and four other researchers who have demonstrated that their scholarship has the potential to be commercialized or, in the case of medicine, translated into health-care environments. Unlike standard academic awards, the Derrick Rossi Innovation Awards not only provide financial support but are intended to fill a critical gap in a landscape where promising, high-impact research often struggles to attract early-stage investment. The awards focus on proof-of-concept projects with strong socio-economic potential and encourage researchers to consider adoption strategies, regulatory hurdles and the overall market viability of their discoveries and innovations.
Professor Molly Shoichet holds a cross-appointment with the Department of Chemistry and the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering. The Derek Rossi Innovation Award recognizes her work in developing a surgical treatment strategy to reverse cell death in stroke patients. According to the U of T News article, the approach could have a major impact, as 85 per cent of stroke patients currently have no recovery options beyond rehabilitation therapy.
To read the full article, visit this link at UofT News.