Ruby Rises: Female-Founded Startup Wins with Groundbreaking Drink Mixes at 2024 Renaissance Women’s SummitEmily Untermeyer and Riley Decker, co-founders of Ruby, took first place at the 2024 Renaissance Women’s Summit Student Pitch competition. Made by female athletes, for female athletes, Ruby creates all-natural, science-backed drink mixes that target cramping, bloating, and fatigue to promote athletic performance. Click here to read more.
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Celebrating Some of Our Amazing Women Founders:
In recognition of Women's History Month, we celebrate some of the extraordinary women of the Wond'ry Founder Program. Each participant embodies the spirit of innovation, resilience, and leadership that has historically propelled women to break barriers and forge new paths. Their relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to transforming their ideas into reality not only honors the legacy of the trailblazing women who came before them but also paves the way for future generations. Let us take this moment to acknowledge and uplift these remarkable women, whose contributions are not just making history but are also crafting a brighter future for all. Click here to learn more about these amazing women.
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Breaking Barriers: How Cynthia’s Story Inspires Women to Empower Themselves
Cynthia Cohen is a trailblazer for female founders. From being the first woman partner in Touche Ross's Southeast region to creating Impact 2040, her strategic consulting firm, Cynthia is dedicated to closing the funding gap for women in startups. Through her support of Vanderbilt University's Wond’ry Founder Program and the establishment of the Impact 2040 Fund, she's making strides in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among the next generation.
Discover more about Cynthia’s journey and her vision for empowering entrepreneurs by clicking here.
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Innovation in Action: EagleWerx Applied Tactical Innovation Center Training
This past week, the EagleWerx Applied Tactical Innovation Center (a CMI2 DIRT Lab), in collaboration with the 101st Division Sustainment Brigade, and the the Wond'ry, (Vanderbilt University's Center for Innovation), hosted Allied Trades Soldiers, Warrant Officers (MOS 91E and 914A), 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) for a three-day, hands-on, deep-dive training into digital fabrication tools to expand skills sets for rapid parts production and innovation. Throughout the event, Soldiers learned about the digital fabrication resources on post, the innovation process, the best practices for creating napkin sketches, and the methods for converting them into 2D and 3D CAD models. Special thanks to instructors Professor Kevin Galloway, Research Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University, Garrett Thorne, Senior Makerspace Manager at the Wond'ry, CW3 Ron Billingslea, and CPT Patrick Nessler, Deputy Innovation Officer for the 101st Airborne Division, U.S. Army for their time and expertise.
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Cecilio Ponce Receives Military MVP Recognition
The Wond'ry's Cecilio Ponce, recently received Military MVP recognition by the Vanderbilt Baseball Club, and the honor of throwing out the first pitch of the game against Illinois State!
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Social Innovation Bootcamp & Upcoming Presentations
Our Social Innovation Bootcamp marked another fruitful day delving into human-centered design, systems thinking, and the essence of social innovation, while exploring the frameworks integral to this field. The Wond’ry SI team is currently overseeing two ongoing programs, Social Changemakers and Climate Innovation Accelerator, each culminating in final presentation days which are accessible to all interested in witnessing the participants’ dedication and achievements firsthand.
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Nissan Product Team Learned Innovative Ways to Utilize AR Experiences
The Wond'ry's Emerging Tech Lab Faculty Mentor, Ole Molvig, partnered with the Nissan Product team to introduce them to the capabilities of Augmented Reality (AR). They developed an innovative virtual reality (VR) collaboration space, designed to foster teamwork and creativity while advancing technological integration. Through immersive AR experiences, the Nissan team explored new frontiers in automotive design and development, paving the way for cutting-edge advancements in their product offerings.
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Film "On the Drying Grass" Selected for the Beverly Hills Film Festival
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New Wond'ry Resource: Technical Writing Collective
The Technical Writing Collective provides consultation and editorial services for a variety of technical writing projects. We offer all types of technical writing aid including research manuscripts, grant proposals, personal statements, resumes/CVs, project descriptions, abstracts, executive summaries, white papers, and invention disclosures. Help is available at the Wond'ry Genius Bar on the 2nd floor on Wednesday's from 3:30 PM -5:00 PM and the Loews Office Tower Launch Incubator Space on Wednesday's from 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM and Friday's from 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM.
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Upcoming Events: Our events are not only area-focused but also collaborative efforts with both campus-led and community partner initiatives.
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Better Together: A Public & Private Governance Talk for a Sustainable Future: Mar. 19
Join us for pizza and insights on environmental governance through the lens of social innovation. Moderated by the Director of Social Innovation at the Wond’ry, Jaclyn Mothupi. Bring your curiosity and questions!
March 19, 12:00 - 1:00 PM, the Wond'ry 3rd Floor Lounge
The event will feature a distinguished panel of guest speakers, each bringing a unique perspective to the table:
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Meet Marsh Naidoo, Founder of the Raising Kellan Podcast: Mar. 21
March commemorates National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. To celebrate, on March 21st, from 11:00-1:00, come to the FAB Lab to meet Marsh Naidoo, founder of the Raising Kellan Podcast and website, to talk to her about her new children's book titled "Raising Kellan, A Story of Disability," that speaks to disability and the call for accessibility and inclusion. Marsh's book aims to introduce children to the wonderful world of diversity by focusing on characters with disabilities.
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Intro to AutoCAD and Laser Cutting- Mar. 21:Learn how a laser cutter works, best design practices, and how to create your designs in AutoCAD. Register Here.
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Vanderbilt Fashion Week is back: Mar. 22-27
Mar. 22: Sustainable Fashion Show | the Wond'ry - This event spotlights a selection of local and national brands and emerging designers who share a dedication to sustainability in fashion. From innovative materials to ethical production methods, witness the latest in eco-conscious style on our runway.
Mar. 25: VFW in Photos | the Wond'ry - Experience the story of VFW in a one-of-a-kind exhibit which depicts the journey of VFW, and artistic representations of fashion in photos. The Museum will be open for the entirety of fashion week with a special showing on March 25.
Mar. 26: the Wond'ry FabLab Certification Class | the Wond'ry - Come learn to sew by hand and by machine at the amazing Fiber Arts center right in the Wond'ry. Within this class you will learn how to make a small toy dinosaur. During this visit you will also receive certification that allows you to come in and use their equipment and resources whenever you want!
Mar. 27: Cultural Showcase | the Wond'ry - The grand finale event, in collaboration with student organizations on campus, will celebrate Vanderbit's cultural diversity through sustainable and ethical pieces that reflect various ethnic backgrounds
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Vanderbilt Quantum Initiative Info Session: Mar. 30
Interested in Quantum Computing? Join the Vanderbilt Quantum Initiative (VQI) in our inaugural meeting! Discover our mission to lead in quantum computing, meet our team, and explore collaboration opportunities. Head over to this event to enjoy gaming competitions, prizes, and free food. Be a part of shaping Vanderbilt's quantum future! Click here to register.
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Innovation Open Mic: Apr. 10
The Wond’ry hosts a monthly Innovation Open Mic event, where aspiring innovators are invited to practice presenting their ideas and projects to a panel of entrepreneurial experts and mentors. Click here to learn more.
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Unveiling the Impact of Quantinuum with Kathrin Spendier: Apr. 10
Attend this virtual event on Apr. 10th, from 5-7 PM, to learn about one of the major players in the quantum industry: Quantinuum. Our guest speaker, Kathrin Spendier (Quantum Evangelist at Quantinuum), is going to give us a talk on the history of Quantinuum, what they do and how they leverage quantum computing towards solving real world problems. Join us to learn more about the important role Quantinuum plays in the world of quantum computing. Click here to register.
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Perfomance, Nowruz Celebration, and Open Art Studio: The Resonance of the Lands - Mar. 22
The event features an engaging ceramic workshop, immersive music performance, and Nowruz celebration.
Discover the intricacies of the clay process with insights from local resources and witness the creation of ceramic drums, following the rich tradition of Middle Eastern clay darbukas.
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Vandy in STEM & Entrepreneurship Series
The Wond'ry is partnering up with the Vanderbilt Career Center to bring a series of engaging and informative events designed for those intrigued by the convergence of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and entrepreneurship. Each session is tailored to provide valuable insights into the entrepreneurial process, from ideation to execution, and the critical role of STEM in driving innovation. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and take your first steps toward turning your ideas into reality.
Customer Discovery Workshop | Mar. 25 | 4-5 PM at the Vanderbilt Career Center: Come join us for a collaboration with the Wond'ry and the Career Center for a customer discovery workshop! Food will be provided.
How to Become an Entrepreneur Workshop | Mar. 26 | 1-2 PM at the Vanderbilt Career Center: Join us to learn about becoming an entrepreneur with Charleson Bell, the Director of Entrepreneurship at the Wond'ry, Vanderbilt's Innovation Center! This event will provide insight on how to develop the skills, both in and out of the classroom, necessary for successful entrepreneurship and innovation. Meet the Ventures/Fireside Chat | Mar. 28 | 1-2 PM at the Wond'ry: Join us to learn about becoming an entrepreneur with Charleson Bell, the Director of Entrepreneurship at the Wond'ry, Vanderbilt's Innovation Center! This event will provide insight on how to develop the skills, both in and out of the classroom, necessary for successful entrepreneurship and innovation.
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Lab to Table: March 26th
In honor of Women’s History Month, the next installment of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences’ Lab-to-Table Conversations will explore the landscape of biotech entrepreneurship with an all-female panel.
Join Margaret Read, general manager of corporate alliances/scientific collaboration director for Ancora Innovation, Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization, and an expert panel to explore these topics and more.
The virtual event will be Tuesday, March 26, at 11 a.m. CT and will feature:
Elizabeth Ann Stringer (PhD’10): chief scientific officer of Nashville Biosciences, founding member of axialHealthcare
Karrie Dudek (PhD’21): CEO of Eupalinos Inc., ASPIRE to Innovate Postdoctoral Fellow, consultant to the nascent medical device company Gait Guide through the Wond’ry Innovation Consulting Program
Shabnam Eghbali: co-founder of Theia, a nonprofit that empowers women to change health care, CTTC innovation ambassador, resident physician of internal medicine at VUMC
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2024 Chambers Lecture: Mar. 28
Ben Whittle, a serial entrepreneur, full-stack software engineer, and 2015 ME graduate of the Vanderbilt School of Engineering, will deliver the 2024 Chambers Lecture in the Jacobs Believed in Me Auditorium (Room 134), Featheringill Hall. A reception will follow in Adams Atrium.
The lecture—Going from 0 to 10: How to evaluate your own startup ideas, design something users love, and land your first 10 paying customers—is open to the public.
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Exhibit - Drawing on my Style: Fashionista in the Classroom Wraps up in March
Exhibit titled "Drawing on My Style: Fashionista in the Classroom" is at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center and celebrates inclusive classrooms. The artwork was produced by Next Steps students Bailey Duncan and Rachel Sarrubi in Alex Sargent Capps' Sustainable Fashion, Adaptive Fashion, and Costume Design classes that all took place at the Wond'ry. Keep your eyes open for the FabLab's next two exhibits:
1) FAB Lab and Friends Turnip Green Creative Reuse exhibit titled "Dinomite Adventures in the Denim Garden," opens April 6th with a public reception at Turnip Green from 4:00-6:00 PM. 2) Designed with Dignity Hospital Re-Design exhibit opening at the Curb Center March 29th, with a reception at t he Curb Center on April 5th, 12:00-2:00 PM.
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Career Closet: Apr. 3 & 4
Students are invited to the annual Career Closet to shop for free interview-ready items donated by faculty and staff. For questions, please reach out to The Graduate School,
graduateschool@vanderbilt.edu, with the subject line, "Graduate Career Closet".
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Scrub Hat Workshop: Apr. 4
Alex Bontrager (VMS4) will lead a workshop on how to sew a scrub cap. Not only will you learn some basic sewing skills, you'll get to keep your handmade creation and stand out in the OR.
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MakHERs Market will return this spring on Apr. 5
The MakHERs Market is a mission-driven, pop-up event empowering female-owned businesses in a philanthropic marketplace. This year’s market will take place on Friday, April 5 from 12-3 PM at Alumni Lawn.
Each of their vendors pledge to donate a portion of proceeds (at least 10%) in support of a local community partner: Thistle Farms. The 2024 beneficiary, Thistle Farms, ensures access to safe and supportive housing, financial independence, and a lifelong community of support for female survivors of trafficking, prostitution, and addiction.
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Challenges and Opportunities:
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Applications now open for ASPIRE postdoctoral research fellowship to support path to entrepreneurship
Current biomedical sciences Ph.D. students, postdocs affiliated with the School of Medicine Basic Sciences, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center postdocs interested in transitioning from research to entrepreneurship are invited to apply for the next ASPIRE to Innovate Postdoctoral Fellowship, which begins July 1, 2024, through the Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training (BRET). Applications are due by March 31. Click here to learn more.
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New Class: Runway Ready Sustainable Fashion as Sculptural Art (ARTS 3891: Selected Topics)
Join Professor Alex Sargent Capps, in the exploration of the connection of the fast fashion industry to our global carbon footprint through figurative sculptural and wearable pieces made from recycled objects and deadstock fabrics. Areas of skill building will include figure drawing, hand and machine sewing, flat pattern drafting and draping, textile identification, and adaptive and sustainable fashion.
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Join the Wond'ry Internship Network:
The Wond’ry Internship Network (WIN) provides a platform for undergraduate and graduate students from Tennessee-based institutions of higher learning to reach their inner innovator. Students can explore their passions by choosing between a variety of opportunities within one of the many Wond’ry practice areas (Biomedical Innovation, Social Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Research & Design, Making, the Launch Incubator, and the Wond’ry itself). Through each project, interns not only learn relevant skills but also make an impact by assisting in trailblazing work. Click here to sign up for the newsletter and receive opportunities to apply.
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Vanderbilt Center for Technology Transfer announces New Concept Submission Form
The Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization has introduced a new tool that makes it easy for faculty to bring forward innovative ideas that have the potential for patenting and commercialization.
The recently introduced online Concept Submission Form eases the initial steps for submitting innovative ideas to CTTC by giving faculty the opportunity to provide short overviews of new concepts with minimal paperwork, facilitating rapid review and feedback. Click here to learn more.
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More Opportunities:
- ARPA-E Summit PITCHES Session- Learn More
May 22-24 | Deadline: Mar. 22 - VentureWell Debut Challenge- Learn More
Aug. 26 | Deadline: May 31
- Collegiate Inventors Competition- Learn More
Oct. 16-17 | Deadline: Jun. 3 - Jeopardy! Anytime Test- Learn More
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Support Our StudentsBy making your tax-deductible gift to our Wond’ry Student Project Fund, you help us award students with the funding they need to turn their ideas into reality. Donate here.
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