USF I-Corps

Crying isn't the only clue: USF researchers using AI to detect silent pain in newborns
July 7, 2025
How do you know when a newborn is in pain — especially one too weak to cry? A groundbreaking interdisciplinary project at the University of South Florida is answering that question with artificial intelligence, aiming to transform treatment in Neonatal Intensive Care Units across the country. Dr. Peter Mouton was a Principal Investigator (PI) and Dr. Md Sirajus Salekin was an Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) on a Fall 2019 USF I-Corps team.

Early-Stage Innovation Fund awards advance breakthrough technologies in healthcare, education and security
June 20, 2025
The Florida High Tech Corridor in partnership with University of South Florida Research & Innovation is pleased to announce the latest recipients of the Early-Stage Innovation Fund awards. This initiative supports pioneering research projects with significant commercial potential, providing each selected faculty-led team with up to $25,000 in seed funding to advance their innovations toward market readiness. Dr. Bo Pei (Eq-Math) was a Principal Investigator (PI) on a Fall 2024 USF I-Corps team. Drs. Hariom Yadav and Shalini Jain (MANNBIOME) were Principal Investigators (PIs) most recently on Spring 2025 USF I-Corps teams. Dr. Mauricio Pamplona Segundo (Identyx) was a Principal Investigator (PI) on a Spring 2025 USF I-Corps team.

MediMirror, silicon atomic clock and early stroke detection device awarded BRAG grants for further development
June 9, 2025
The University of South Florida Foundation and the USF Research Foundation have awarded Foundation Bull Ring Accelerator Grants to three early-stage start-ups affiliated with the Tampa Bay Technology Incubator. Following a rigorous and competitive process, MediMirror, QuantumSilicon Clocks and SPKL have been selected to each receive up to $25,000 in BRAG funding. Dr. Ashwin Parthasarathy (SPKL) was a Principal Investigator (PI) for a Spring 2020 USF I-Corps team.

USF Health researchers developing probiotic cocktail that may help ward off dementia
April 29, 2025
Hariom Yadav, PhD, can't get a particular cocktail off his mind—especially because our aging population potentially could benefit from the benefits for brain health that this punch may pack. The drink is a unique blend of probiotics that can positively impact the microbiome, the unseen community of microorganisms that live by the trillions in a person's gut. Dr. Hariom Yadav is the Principal Investigator (PI) for an I-Corps National Team and has been a Principal Investigator (PI) on several USF I-Corps teams.

USF Professors and Team win Health Hackathon
April 25, 2025
Congratulations to USF College of Engineering Professor Arash Takshi, USF Muma College of Business Professor Ehsan Sheybani, and their research team on winning the Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon USA with eNose Diagnostic, a non-invasive technology for early detection of cancer by analyzing chemical release from the blood. Dr. Arash Takshi was a Principal Investigator (PI) on a Fall 2022 USF I-Corps team.

USF Sarasota-Manatee researchers receive seed funding for human trafficking prevention project
February 13, 2025
A research team that includes two USF Sarasota-Manatee faculty members has been awarded a Cyber Florida grant to develop an AI-driven education platform designed to safeguard teenagers from human trafficking risks prevalent in online gaming, cyber dating and social media environments. Dr. Tingting Zhang is a Principal Investigator (PI) on a Spring 2025 USF I-Corps team.