Fungal

Georgia Southern University is a vibrant institution with over 26,100 students across three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville. The university offers 132 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate levels, emphasizing student success, community impact, and research excellence. With a commitment to inclusivity and engagement, Georgia Southern fosters a supportive environment for diverse learners, including military-affiliated and adult students. The university is dedicated to transforming lives through education and community engagement, aligning its programs with regional needs. Additionally, Georgia Southern provides accelerated pathways for students to fast-track their master's degrees, enhancing educational opportunities. The university also emphasizes career readiness and public impact research, preparing students for successful careers and contributing to community development.

Volatylix, a Cambridge, MA based startup, is dedicated to early diagnosis enabling timely and appropriate treatment benefiting the patient, physician, provider and payor. Our patent pending platform – DECIPHER – and unique detection sensor technology – OFIS - combine to identify various disease states and conditions via proprietary breath biomarkers, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s). DECIPHER is disease agnostic and will speed diagnosis, while improving accuracy over currently available diagnostic methods. The tests use a noninvasive 4-minute breath sample with analysis taking ~15 minutes on our portable, battery powered platform. Initial products include fungal pneumonias, lung cancer (staging, monitoring, differential diagnosis and screening) and C. difficile.

FiteBac Technology/FiteBac Pharma's K21 uniquely targets the underlying disease state, given that most diseases involve microbial-associated inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. FiteBac Technology innovations stem from the work of numerous international academic research scientists. FiteBac Pharma K21 is the blockbuster antimicrobial small molecule designed to modulate biological, immunological, and metabolic systems for treating a wide range of infectious and inflammatory diseases. This patented drug substance has demonstrated the ability to safely eliminate bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, enhance innate immunity, induce mitophagy while improving mitochondrial and cellular metabolism, accelerate wound healing, and even promote the development of zebrafish and chickens, leading to increased adult mass. Rigorous research from Dr. Bhupesh Prusty's laboratory and Dr Christopher Rongo's laboratory is focused on various aspects of mitochondrial remodeling and reprograming, as well as mitochondrial-to-nuclear signaling with K21.

Auburn University Research & Economic Development is dedicated to advancing research and economic growth through a collaborative effort among its various colleges and departments. The organization focuses on fostering innovation, supporting faculty and student research, and facilitating partnerships with industry and government to address societal challenges and enhance the quality of life. Recent initiatives include the launch of the Team Science Series to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of the Gulf Coast Engineering Research Station to address coastal environmental challenges.

The Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is dedicated to pioneering solutions to complex societal challenges through convergence research. With a mission to advance research excellence and stimulate economic development, I3R focuses on deploying innovations at scale through collaboration across various sectors, including academia, industry, and government.

The University of Chicago is a prestigious urban research university committed to rigorous inquiry and intellectual freedom. Founded in 1890, it has produced numerous Nobel laureates and is known for its transformative education and groundbreaking research across various fields. The university fosters an inclusive and diverse learning environment, encouraging participation from all community members.

Boston University is a major research institution committed to leading breakthroughs across various disciplines. The Office of Research supports and advances research excellence, fostering collaboration among researchers, industry partners, and government leaders to address significant societal challenges.

Baylor University is a preeminent Christian research university committed to addressing the world's most meaningful challenges through top-tier research and scholarship. Recognized as an R1 research institution, Baylor focuses on infusing its distinct Christian mission into its research initiatives, fostering a commitment to excellence and innovation.

Founded in 2016, Maxwell Biosciences is a preclinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative therapeutics targeting viruses, bacteria, fungi, and biofilm formations. Utilizing a unique drug-discovery platform, the company aims to create affordable and effective health solutions to combat infectious diseases and enhance healthspan.

Evimero is an interdisciplinary company focused on understanding the interactions between microorganisms and human health, agriculture, and the environment, utilizing Systems Biology and AI/ML. Evimero applies molecular principles to infectious disease and microbiome science to improve health outcomes and environmental sustainability through targeted interventions in dysbiotic microbiomes and in people with infectious disorders. Evimero has an infectious disease product pipeline including both prophylactic and diagnostic assets against common causes of Travelers' Diarrhea, including a unique approach to preventing infection with human Norovirus, enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and others. Evimero's pipeline of drugs targeting human and animal microbiomes includes early-stage assets aimed at generalized microbiome-driven inflammation and gut leak, and specific disease-targeted disorders including Parkinson Disease and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Evimero's platform also makes possible a suite of point-of-care diagnostics that can be used for patient cohorting (infectious diseases), risk stratification, and ultimately informing therapeutic decision-making. The nature of Evimero's platform assures a steady stream of novel assets targeting both infectious diseases and chronic disorders with roots in microbiome dysfunction.

NEXT Labs is pioneering the automation and accessibility of next-generation sequencing (NGS) by developing affordable, portable solutions for sample and library preparation. Their mission is to enable sequencing anywhere, by anyone, moving NGS from specialized labs to point-of-need applications. By automating complex sample processing steps, NEXT Labs aims to democratize genomics research and diagnostics, making advanced testing faster, more accessible, and cost-effective for a wide range of applications including infectious disease detection, cancer, and neurodegenerative disease diagnostics.

Policy Wisdom, LLC is a global public health policy consulting firm founded in 2010, dedicated to delivering evidence-based solutions that positively impact public health worldwide. With a mission to be a benchmark of excellence in health policy, Policy Wisdom partners with governments, NGOs, pharmaceutical companies, and advocacy groups in over 150 countries. The company leverages a 100% virtual business model and a diverse, expert team to provide innovative methodologies and client-centered strategies. Their work spans policy strategy development, capacity building, evidence generation, and the creation of educational resources, all aimed at measurable improvements in health systems and equitable health outcomes. Policy Wisdom is recognized for its leadership in decolonizing global health, advancing precision medicine, and shaping policies that address both emerging and persistent public health challenges across the globe.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is Maryland’s public health, law, and human services university. It is dedicated to improving the human condition and serving the public good through education, research, clinical care, and service. UMB is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland and offers a wide range of professional degrees in health care, human services, and law.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is a top doctoral and research institution located in Wilmington, North Carolina. Established in 1947, UNCW has grown to serve nearly 18,000 students and employs about 2,500 staff. The university is dedicated to providing a powerful academic experience that fosters creative inquiry, critical thinking, and thoughtful expression in a beautiful coastal setting. UNCW is committed to educational excellence, community engagement, and global connections, making it a vibrant part of the southeastern North Carolina community. UNCW also emphasizes the importance of freedom of expression and mutual respect within its diverse community.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is dedicated to transforming today's learners into tomorrow's leaders through innovative education, research, and community engagement. With over 125 academic programs, UMKC fosters a diverse and inclusive environment that empowers students to achieve their goals and make a positive impact in their communities.

Mayo Clinic is the largest integrated, not-for-profit medical group practice in the world, dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. With a history of innovation spanning nearly 150 years, Mayo Clinic is committed to transforming healthcare through research, education, and compassionate care, ensuring that the best possible treatment is available to everyone.