Cutting-Edge Research Showcased at UA Innovation Day

Cutting-Edge Research Showcased at UA Innovation Day

By UA Tech Park and College of Engineering
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Larry Head, associate professor and head of the UA systems and industrial engineering department, accepts his award at the 2012 UA Innovation Day. (Photo courtesy of the College of Engineering)
Larry Head, associate professor and head of the UA systems and industrial engineering department, accepts his award at the 2012 UA Innovation Day. (Photo courtesy of the College of Engineering)

Five faculty members showcased their cutting-edge research during UA at the Leading Edge, the opening session of Innovation Day at the UA, held earlier this month.

The ninth annual event, attended by more than 300 people, celebrated the University of Arizona’s success in technology development and innovation by highlighting the research achievements of students, staff and faculty members.

Leading edge faculty members included:

  • Eric A. Betterton, whose research explores an atmospheric model to forecast wind-blown dust from natural and man-made sources, which supports the development of dust-forecasting technology for health and traffic advisories.
  • Leslie Gunatilaka, who explores novel compounds synthesized by exotic plants from the arid zones of Asia, South America and the Sonoran Desert, and evaluates them for medicinal value.
  • Sharon Megdal, who works on state and regional water resources management and policy, which contributes to improved development and understanding of state water-management strategies.
  • James T. Schwiegerling, who is developing a design for an accommodating intraocular lens, which behaves just like the flexible human lens in the eye, and can be used as a replacement in cataract surgery.
  • Larry Head, who researches traffic and transportation systems engineering and is focused on priority-based traffic signals that can reduce fatalities among fire and rescue first responders.

Head, systems and industrial engineering department head, is working with the Maricopa County Department of Transportation in an attempt to reduce deaths by creating a system that will make intersections safer for emergency responders and the general public.

Nearly 13 percent of the firefighters and police officers who die in the line of duty are killed in vehicle-related incidents, and fire trucks are involved in 10 times as many collisions as other heavy trucks.

"I'm honored to be recognized as a leading-edge researcher," Head said. "Usually transportation is not considered to be a cutting-edge area for research, but our work should be able to help save lives of our first responders and make traffic systems safer and more efficient."

A prototype has been installed at six intersections in Anthem, Ariz., and a demonstration and media event are scheduled for April.

"I am also grateful for our partners at Maricopa County, ADOT (Arizona Department of Transportation) and the city of Tucson," Head said. "Without their support, we would not be able to pursue this area of research."

Also part of Innovation Day, the Technology Innovation Awards Luncheon honored an outstanding faculty member, Dr. Ronald S. Weinstein, and student, Alexandra Armstrong, for their achievements in translating original ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace.

A special video, "Thinking the Impossible," premiered during the luncheon and highlighted how the UA has been a global leader in scientific and technological innovation for more than 100 years.

Following the luncheon, the Innovation Showcase allowed participants to meet with UA departments and startup companies from the Arizona Center for Innovation, and to get a preview of the business plans of students from the McGuire Center for Entrepreneurship.

The Office of University Research Parks and the Arizona Center for Innovation organize Innovation Day in partnership with the Office of the UA's senior vice president for research, External Relations, the Office of Technology Transfer, and the McGuire Center.

The title sponsor was the Research Corporation for Science Advancement. Other sponsors were Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Tech Council, BizTucson, Hecker and Muehlebach, Strategy 1, and Tucson Electric Power Co.

Innovation Day at the UA is an official Arizona Centennial Event and a signature event of the Arizona SciTech Festival.

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