Dear Colleagues,
I’m delighted to share this month’s Impact Newsletter, showcasing how University of Michigan research is translating into real-world impact across Michigan and beyond.
Earlier this month, I joined U-M President Domenico Grasso and Vice President for Research and Innovation Arthur Lupia at a conversation hosted by The Atlantic on the future of American science. In our discussion, we highlighted the obligation that we have as a public university to ensure that our discoveries are moved into the world in ways that improve and even save lives. We described what is becoming known as the Michigan Model, an intentional system to translate discoveries into impact through research commercialization in ways that strengthen our region’s economy. Our success in this work is driven by U-M’s brilliant faculty and strengthened by partnerships across our ecosystem, from industry to investors and founders.
You’ll see the Michigan Model at work in this issue, featuring stories about U-M startups and innovations that continue to strengthen our position as a leading hub for innovation.
Thank you for your continued collaboration with our team.
Sincerely,
Kelly Sexton
Associate Vice President for Research – Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact
U-M, Innovation Partnerships Leadership Participate in “The Atlantic Exchange: Who Will Lead American Science?”
Earlier this month, Associate Vice President for Research – Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact Kelly Sexton, Vice President for Research and Innovation Arthur Lupia and President Grasso joined journalists from The Atlantic for a discussion about the future of American science. The group explored Michigan’s unique approach to research commercialization with a particular focus on the role of commercialization in driving positive societal impact and spurring economic growth.
How U-M Created a Midwest Startup Movement
A new story in U-M’s Look to Michigan campaign highlights how the university is building a leading innovation ecosystem in the Midwest, translating research into startups, jobs and real-world impact. It underscores the importance of programs like the Technology Transfer Talent Network (T3N) and the Accelerate Blue Fund in making that approach possible.
→ Read the Look to Michigan article here 🔗
Offering A Model for What’s Possible: The Accelerate Blue Fund Highlighted by TechPipeline
This month, TechPipeline explored the state of venture capital for university spinouts, spotlighting how the Accelerate Blue Fund is transforming early-stage innovation.
The article features insights from our own Mike Psarouthakis, who speaks candidly about navigating today’s investment landscape and supporting U-M inventors on their entrepreneurial journeys. It also includes perspectives from Patti Glaza and Kirsten Leute, both members of the Innovation Partnerships National Advisory Board and leaders in the venture capital community who emphasize the critical role of university-affiliated funds in bridging the gap for startups facing capital challenges.
→ Read the TechPipeline article here 🔗
Nominations Open for the 2026 Distinguished University Innovator of the Year
The Distinguished University Innovator of the Year Award honors faculty who have made important and lasting contributions to society by developing novel ideas and insights through their research and translating them to practice. The award was established in 2007 by the Office of the Vice President for Research and is supported by endowments from the U-M Office of Research and the Stephen and Rosamund Forrest Family Foundation. Recipient(s) will receive an honorarium of $5,000.
Submit your nominations by Friday, May 1, 2026.
→ Learn more and submit your nominations here 🔗
💸 Blue Arbor Technologies Announces Strategic Partnership with Ottobock and $5 Million Investment to Advance RESTORE™ Neuromuscular Interface System
→ Learn More 🔗
📰 Cracking the Code: A Conversation with Joey Panella, CEO of Decimal Code
→ Learn More 🔗
Dr. Chandra Sripada: inMyVoice App for AI-Powered Mental Health Symptom Tracking
Dr. Chandra Sripada developed inMyVoice, an app that uses daily voice diaries and AI summaries to give clinicians accurate, actionable insight into patients’ mental health experiences — both in the moment and over extended periods of time. Inspired by decades of office-based clinical practice and validated in real-world studies, Dr. Sripada’s innovation is streamlining workflows, reducing reporting bias and strengthening therapeutic connections.
→ Explore the future of mental health care and collaboration opportunities here 🔗
Deerfield + University of Michigan: Collaborating to Advance Biomedical Innovation
📅 April 8, 2026
⏰ 1:30-2:30pm
📍 ABC Seminar Rooms, Biomedical Science Research Building
Please join a conversation with the Deerfield team to explore their work in advancing academic innovation through Deerfield’s partnership with the University of Michigan, Great Lakes Discovery.
Deerfield is an investment firm dedicated to advancing healthcare through investment, intelligence and philanthropy. The firm’s internal research and development team, Deerfield Discovery and Development (3DC), is a partner to various stakeholders in the biotech ecosystem, including principal investigators in Deerfield’s academic collaboration network, as well as startups, and biopharma companies.
Speakers include Nadim Shohdy, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer at Deerfield Discovery and Development and William Slattery, Partner on the Therapeutics Team.
→ Register for the discussion with Deerfield here 🔗
TechPipeline: Unlocking State Resources for Research Commercialization
📅 April 20, 2026
⏰ 2-3pm
📍 Virtual
Join TechPipeline for an enlightening conversation on how to identify, access and mobilize state-level funding, incentives and support programs that can strengthen your commercialization pipeline.
From this discussion, you can learn how to better position your institution and the entrepreneurs you support to compete successfully for state resources that complement federal funding and private investment.
Speakers include Mike Psarouthakis, executive director of impact investments and strategic alliances at the University of Michigan; Monique Kuykendoll Quarterman, former executive director of entrepreneurship & innovation with the kentucky cabinet for economic development and former executive director of KY Innovation; and Rich Chylla, executive director for the UVA Licensing and Ventures Group.
→ Register for the TechPipeline webinar here 🔗
Innovation Partnerships at SXSW 2026
Earlier this month, Innovation Partnerships’ Mike Psarouthakis traveled to Austin for South by Southwest (SXSW), sharing the impact of Michigan research commercialization with attendees from across the world.
While there, Mike joined Ann Arbor SPARK to explore why fast-growing companies and global innovators are increasingly choosing mid-sized tech hubs like Ann Arbor to build, scale and invest. Mike also led the panel “Spinning Out: What It Takes to Build a University Startup” alongside representatives from U-M startups HistoSonics, Intero Biosystems and Neurable.
Kelly Sexton Joins The Lucy Ann Lance Show to Discuss Commercialization at U-M
As a part of Lucy Ann Lance and 1290 WLBY’s Celebration of Women in Business, Associate Vice President for Research – Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact Kelly Sexton joined The Lucy Ann Lance Show to highlight the positive societal impact of university-wide programs for innovation development and commercialization.
