About USF I-Corps

Company founded by USF engineering professors earns Patent for Humanity award
December 4, 2024
The University of South Florida and its spin-out company T2C Energy LLC were awarded a 2024 Patent for Humanity in the Green Energy category by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This award, presented to eight recipients at a ceremony on December 3rd at the U.S. Department of Commerce, recognizes companies responding rapidly to the challenges of climate change by developing green energy sources using game-changing technologies. Dr. John Kuhn was the Principal Investigator (PI) on a 2017 National I-Corps team, and Dr. Kuhn was the Principal Investigator (PI) and alumni Timothy Roberge was the Mentor for a Fall 2018 USF I-Corps team.

USF to accelerate innovation through new NSF designation
November 4, 2024
The University of South Florida has been selected as a partner in the newly funded $15 million National Science Foundation Southeast I-Corps Hub, an initiative that will advance innovation and entrepreneurship across the southeast. As part of the eight-university hub led by Georgia Tech, USF will receive $1.6 million to support its groundbreaking efforts.

NSF names three new I-Corps Hubs expanding the National Innovation Network across the U.S.
October 30, 2024
The U.S. National Science Foundation today announced the addition of three new NSF Innovation Corps (NSF I-Corps™) Hubs that will scale the NSF-led National Innovation Network (NIN), accelerating the translation of discoveries into new solutions that benefit society and the economy. The University of South Florida is joining the NSF I-Corps Hub: Southeast region.

USF using AI to help combat malaria
September 23, 2024
University of South Florida researchers are using artificial intelligence to revolutionize mosquito surveillance to help combat malaria in Africa. As part of this effort, Dr. Chellappan is testing an artificial intelligence-enabled smart trap that will lure, capture and monitor Anopheles stephensi. Dr Sriram Chellappan is a Principal Investigator (PI) on a Fall 2024 USF I-Corps team.

Tampa startup secures NSF grant to tackle 'AI anxiety'
September 12, 2024
Startup Actualization.AI received a $275K National Science Foundation SBIR award to develop their AI vulnerability analysis technology. Dr. John Licato was a Principal Investigator (PI) on a Fall 2023 USF I-Corps team.

Four innovative start-ups awarded Foundation BRAG funding to advance USF technologies
August 26, 2024
The University of South Florida Foundation and the University of South Florida Research Foundation are proud to announce the latest recipients of Foundation Bull Ring Accelerator Grants (BRAG). This program, designed to support early-stage start-ups affiliated with the Tampa Bay Technology Incubator (TBTI), provides critical funding to help bridge the challenging "valley of death" that many nascent technology companies face on their path to commercialization. Dr. John Licato was the Principal Investigator (PI) on a Fall 2023 USF I-Corps Team. Dr. Shalini Jain was an Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) and Dr. Hariom Yadav was the Principal Investigator (PI) on a Fall 2022 USF I-Corps Team, and Dr. Yadav was the Principal Investigator (PI) for a 2023 National I-Corps Team. Dr. John Cotter was an Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) on a Spring 2022 USF I-Corps Team.

Two USF faculty innovators selected for the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame
May 30, 2024
Two highly accomplished University of South Florida faculty members have been named to the 2024 class of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame announced today. USF engineering professors Sylvia Wilson Thomas and Daniel Yeh are among the nine inductees in this year's class receiving the prestigious honor for their notable contributions to scientific and technological advancements. Dr. Sylvia Thomas was a Principal Investigator (PI) for a National I-Corps team in Fall 2015, a Principal Investigator (PI) for a National I-Corps team in Spring 2021 and a Principal Investigator (PI) for a USF I-Corps team in Spring 2019. Dr. Daniel Yeh was the Principal Investigator (PI) for a 2015 national NSF I-Corps team and a Spring 2016 USF I-Corps team.

USF researcher unlocking mysteries of brain development with advanced imaging and virtual reality
May 23, 2024
Through high-tech imaging and virtual reality, a University of South Florida medical engineering professor is creating a detailed map of the brain that can be used to better understand developmental disorders, such as autism, and provide earlier, more effective treatments for brain injuries and diseases. Dr. George Spirou was the Principal Investigator (PI) on the syGlass project for a Spring 2019 USF I-Corps team.

USF's human trafficking research lab receives nearly $3 million in federal support to build and enhance anti-trafficking tools
March 12, 2024
The University of South Florida's Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Risk to Resilience Research Lab is moving forward with the creation of powerful new resources to combat human trafficking and aid victims after receiving nearly $3 million from the 2024 federal spending package. Dr. Shelly Wagers was the Principal Investigator (PI) on a Fall 2020 USF I-Corps team.

Off-the-Shelf Repair for Corroded Bridges Advanced Techniques & High-Strength Materials
March 4, 2024
One of just four projects supported by recent seed funding provided by USF Research & Innovation and the Florida High Tech Corridor Early-Stage Innovation Fund, Dr. Haber's research team has developed an innovative solution for repairing failing steel bridges. The long-range commercial aim is to develop a repair system that is versatile and deployable at scale by bridge owners. Dr. Zachary Haber is the Principle Investigator (PI) for a Spring 2024 USF I-Corps team.

USF wins AUTM's Better World Project Award for Professor Yeh's NEWgenerator
February 23, 2024
AUTM, the national organization for university technology managers, has named the University of South Florida the winner of its 2024 Better Project Award. The USF Technology Transfer Office worked with inventor Daniel Yeh, a professor in the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department, and his team to secure intellectual property protection for NEWgenerator. Dr. Daniel Yeh was the Principal Investigator (PI) for a 2015 national NSF I-Corps team and a Spring 2016 USF I-Corps team.