As European countries see an increase in their COVID infections, providing an early indication of what is potentially on its way to the USA, SaferMe, a leading pandemic readiness company, is recommending that local businesses review their pandemic readiness plans in the face of a potential winter surge of the virus.
The European Centre For Disease Prevention and Control has stated that it has begun "seeing indicators rising again in Europe, suggesting that another wave of infections has begun." Pooled COVID data up to the end of week 40, 2022 (the week ending Oct. 13), in Europe showed "widespread increases were being observed in all indicators, with one third of EU/EEA countries reporting increases in COVID-19 deaths."
"What is concerning is that many U.S companies are developing COVID fatigue and are becoming complacent with their planning, despite growing health indicators in Europe. It is just good business continuity protocol to ensure that pandemic plans are always up to date," says Clint Van Marrewijk, CEO and founder of SaferMe. "Companies that rely on outdated historic pandemic plans or adopt a wait-and-see approach are potentially jeopardizing business operations, supply chains, and jobs."
Additionally, America will also be heading into its flu season. "Irrespective of the pandemic type or its magnitude, now is the time for businesses to take the responsible steps to be prepared for all types of pandemic eventualities. Companies that are well prepared can avoid complete lockdowns. We have had some bitter lessons in what not being adequately prepared means. Businesses have a duty of care to look after their employees and all visitors on company premises," adds Van Marrewijk.
To mitigate against the impact of poor pandemic planning, SaferMe recommends that companies develop an integrated response, which can be activated within 48 hours of a virus risk surpassing the company's risk tolerance. The following steps will help companies achieve this:
Monitoring health developments inside their business as well as up and down their supply chain and the environment in which they are located
Contacting partners, suppliers and customers to ensure that they have up-to-date pandemic plans
Avoiding "siloed" pandemic plans that exist in isolation. Instead, incorporate an integrated pandemic plan into the company's business continuity planning
Pre-approving response systems, such as technology, that can confirm which employees have been in contact with each other (only when needed). This information is derived from second-generation contact tracing, which makes the old-fashioned phone tree systems completely obsolete — these must be removed from all plans
Develop a virus toolkit that exist in a state of readiness and can be activated at a moment's notice. The toolkits must contain personal protective equipment, a supply of hygiene supplies such as hand sanitizers, an automated contact-tracing system, and company-wide health-check ability.
About SaferMe:
SaferMe is one of the world's leading pandemic readiness and workforce safety companies, and it advises governments, Fortune 500 businesses, and some of the world's most prominent brands in over 30 countries. It is on a global mission to keep employees healthy and safe while at work to make organizations resilient and pandemic-ready, and keep them open for business. SaferMe has offices in the United States, New Zealand, Sweden, and Australia. For more information, www.saferme.com.
MIDAS Healthcare Solutions Inc., the leading developer of technology-driven solutions to promote the safe use, handling, storage, return, and disposal of controlled substances and other dangerous medications in hospitals and other healthcare facilities, announced today a $1.19 million investment from IQ Inc., an award-winning software development firm that creates innovative people-focused solutions across a variety of services and industries, including healthcare.
This partnership comes at a critical time when the healthcare industry is plagued by the diversion of opioids and other dangerous medications, enabling caregivers with substance use disorders to endanger themselves, their colleagues, and their patients. Often called "Healthcare's Hidden Epidemic," this multi-billion-dollar problem occurs in hospitals, surgery centers, and other locations where medications are dispensed and administered. Some reports estimate there are nearly 4,000 instances of opioid diversion each day.
MIDAS and IQ are collaborating to complete the development of the MIDAS V.I.E.W. (Verified Institutional Environment for Wasting) system to address multiple significant vulnerabilities in the handling, record keeping, and destruction of excess medications in hospitals, surgery centers, pharmacies, and other healthcare facilities. This first-of-its-kind software-based visual accountability system will eliminate human error, prevent controlled substance mishandling and misappropriation, and avoid unreasonable reliance on the "honor system" for medication handling.
"Most hospitals have some sort of drug diversion program in place, but they lack the necessary technology to ensure the destruction of these medications before they are abused," stated Michael Lafauci, MIDAS CEO and Founder. "Patient safety is our top priority and the MIDAS V.I.E.W. system will eliminate unnecessary risks in healthcare."
"Medication mismanagement creates work process inefficiencies, financial and human risks, and needless other consequences which healthcare institutions seek to avoid," said Jeffrey R. Wahl, J.D., MIDAS President and Co-Founder. "As a risk management attorney and lecturer, I have seen the devastating consequences to patients, their caregivers, and hospitals when lax controls over controlled substances continue unabated. We are so pleased with the industry's interest in our unique technology, reflecting a gap in available diversion prevention solutions."
The MIDAS V.I.E.W. system will launch pilots in as many as five major healthcare institutions nationwide in mid-2023. Each pilot will be conducted with technical support of the two largest manufacturers of pharmaceutical automated dispensing cabinets, Becton Dickinson (Pyxis) and Omnicell, Inc., demonstrating a seamless integration between the dispensing of pharmaceuticals and wasting excess (divertible) quantities. A staged commercial rollout will begin shortly thereafter.
As part of this investment and partnership, IQ CEO Barbara VanKirk will become a member of MIDAS's Board of Directors, joining Michael LaFauci (MIDAS CEO and Founder), Jeffrey R. Wahl (MIDAS President and Co-Founder), Robert N. Campbell III (formerly Deloitte), and Dr. Andrea Barthwell (formerly American Society of Addiction Medicine).
"When we first met with the MIDAS team, we knew the combination of their industry experience and our team's focus on people-focused solutions would create something truly impactful for the country's struggling healthcare system," stated Barbara VanKirk, IQ President and CEO. "We're excited to be part of MIDAS's vision for improving how healthcare handles and eliminates controlled substances to reduce risk and improve patient outcomes."
The MIDAS advisory board is composed of the healthcare industry's leading experts from pharmacy, business, government, and healthIT. Among its members are the former CEOs of The Cleveland Clinic, The American Nurses Association, the American Pharmacists Association, a former Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the former President of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), executives of the International Health Facility Diversion Association (IHFDA), and the Chair of President's Opioid Task Force.
About MIDAS
Medication Integrity Diversion Accountability System (or MIDAS) creates software and other solutions to address failures in medication security which enable rising levels of medication diversion throughout healthcare. MIDAS's mission is to promote and enable the safer use, handling, storage, return, and disposal of transdermal patches, injectables, and oral medications in healthcare institutions, pharmacies, and in the home. Its solutions have attracted attention from government leaders, medical organizations, and industry leaders. Learn more by visiting https://midashs.com/.
About IQ
Founded in 1994, IQ Inc. is a woman-owned business which has become a leader in providing custom software solutions within various industries, including medical, healthcare, transportation, manufacturing and robotics. Over the last three decades, we've proven our expertise in end-to-end software development, software testing, consulting, data analytics, innovative technologies, and recruiting to help our partners grow. That unwavering commitment to outstanding results has helped us earn the title as one of Pittsburgh's Fastest-Growing Companies (2020) and one of the city's Best Places to Work. Learn more at www.iq-inc.com. Follow us: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Contact Information:
Jeff Wahl
President and Co-Founder, MIDAS [email protected]
Prizes awarded in honor of immigrant leaders in the arts and sciences, including musicians Du Yun and Angélique Kidjo, and scientist Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado
The Vilcek Foundation announces the recipients of the 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prizes. Awarded annually in the arts and sciences, the prizes recognize and celebrate immigrant contributions to the arts, culture, and society, and build awareness of how important immigration is for intellectual and cultural life in the United States.
Since 2006, the Vilcek Foundation has awarded prizes each year in biomedical science and in rotating categories in the arts and humanities. In 2023, the arts and humanities prizes are awarded in music. The foundation awards two primary types of prizes in each category: the Vilcek Prizes, and the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise.
The Vilcek Prizes are $100,000 awards bestowed on immigrant professionals whose career achievements represent a legacy of major accomplishments in their field. The Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise honor immigrant professionals whose early-career work demonstrates a singular innovation or represents a significant contribution to their field. Recipients of the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise each receive an unrestricted cash award of $50,000.
The Vilcek Foundation typically awards one Vilcek Prize and three Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in each category every year. In 2023, the Vilcek Foundation is awarding two Vilcek Prizes in Music.
The Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science
The 2023 Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science is awarded to Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, executive director and chief scientific officer of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Sánchez Alvarado receives the Vilcek Prize for his contributions to the field of regeneration—from the identification of genes that control regeneration in living organisms to the potential for regenerative medicine to revolutionize how we treat disease in humans.
"Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado has devoted his career to understanding the fundamental molecular and cellular bases of regeneration, from the specific genes responsible for regeneration to epigenetic regulators that compel the expression of these genes," said Vilcek Foundation Chairman and CEO Jan Vilcek. "Using a freshwater flatworm—an organism called Schmidtea mediterranea—as a powerful experimental tool to study the molecular mechanisms of tissue regeneration, he has pioneered and expanded the field of regeneration. His work has broad applications for our understanding of the pathology of degenerative disease."
The Vilcek Prize in Music
The Vilcek Foundation has made the decision to award two Vilcek Prizes in Music in 2023 to Du Yun and to Angélique Kidjo. Each will receive a cash award of $100,000 and a commemorative trophy.
"Music transcends language," said Vilcek Foundation Cofounder, Vice Chair, and Secretary Marica Vilcek. "It defies borders and boundaries, and has a unique power to resonate with people across cultures. Rhythm, melody, and harmony are critical parts of how we communicate with one another as humans." She continued, "With this year's prizes, we wanted to honor the range of impact that immigrants have on this expansive art form. As such, we made the decision to award two Vilcek Prizes in Music this year, to Du Yun and Angélique Kidjo."
Says Vilcek Foundation President Rick Kinsel, "The sheer scope of Du Yun and Angélique Kidjo's work defies any easy categorization. Du Yun's virtuosic range and arresting compositions expand the horizons of contemporary and classical music. Kidjo's resonant songwriting and engaging performances have captivated audiences globally, and introduced generations of audiences to Afropop, Afrobeat, and traditional West African music. These distinctions convey the breadth of music as an art form, as well as the broad impact immigrants have on culture and society."
Du Yun receives the Vilcek Prize in Music for her open approach to composition, which subverts the boundaries of traditional classical music by incorporating influences from punk, electronic, and experimental music, and for the virtuosity of her Pulitzer Prize-winning opera, Angel's Bone. Born in Shanghai, China, Du Yun began studying piano at the age of four and began attending the Preparatory Divisions of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music at age six. She came to the United States to pursue higher education in music, earning her bachelor's at Oberlin Conservatory and her Ph.D. in Music Composition at Harvard University. In 2001, Du Yun co-founded the International Contemporary Ensemble with the goal of advancing the genre of experimental music through collaborations, commissions, and performances.
Angélique Kidjo receives the Vilcek Prize in Music in recognition of her exceptional range as a singer-songwriter, and for her artistic leadership through her performances, albums, and collaborations. Born in Ouidah, Benin, Kidjo had her musical debut with the album Pretty in 1981. She rose to international fame in the 1990s with albums like Logozo, Ayé, and Fifa. In 1997, Kidjo immigrated to the United States, moving to Brooklyn, New York. Since then, she has continued to write, record, and tour extensively, while undertaking humanitarian work as an international Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and with the Batonga Foundation, which she founded in 2006.
The Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science
The recipients of the 2023 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science are Edward Chouchani (b. Canada), Biyu J. He (b. China), and Shixin Liu (b. China).
Edward Chouchani receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science for his work to decipher the molecular mechanisms that drive metabolic disease, with the aim of developing therapeutic interventions targeted at the molecular drivers of metabolism within cells.
Biyu J. He receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science for her leadership in the field of cognitive neuroscience, and for her groundbreaking discoveries on the biological bases of perceptual cognition and subjective experience.
Shixin Liu receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise for applying cutting-edge biophysical tools to directly visualize, manipulate, and understand the physiological function of nanometer-scale biomolecular machines including DNA replication and transcription complexes at the single-molecule level.
The Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Music
The 2023 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Music are awarded to Arooj Aftab (b. Saudi Arabia, to Pakistani parents) Juan Pablo Contreras (b. Mexico), and Ruby Ibarra (b. the Philippines).
Arooj Aftab receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Music for her evocative songs and compositions that incorporate a range of influences from semi-classical Pakistani music and Urdu poetry, to jazz harmonies and experimental music.
Juan Pablo Contreras receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Music for his work as a composer and conductor of orchestral music that draws on his Mexican heritage, and for his leadership in founding the Orquesta Latino Mexicana.
Ruby Ibarra receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Music for her hip-hop and spoken word performances that center her experience as a Filipina American woman, and for her powerful lyrics that address colonialism, immigration, colorism, and misogyny.
The Vilcek Foundation
The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation for the arts and sciences. The foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission of the foundation was inspired by the couple's respective careers in biomedical science and art history. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded over $7 million in prizes to foreign-born individuals and has supported organizations with over $5.8 million in grants.
The Vilcek Foundation is a private operating foundation, a federally tax-exempt nonprofit organization under IRS Section 501(c)(3). To learn more, please visit vilcek.org.
The 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prizewinners
A photograph of the 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prizewinners: Alejandro S\u00e1nchez Alvarado, Du Yun, Ang\u00e9lique Kidjo, Edward Chouchani, Biyu J. He, Shixin Liu, Arooj Aftab, Juan Pablo Contreras, and Ruby Ibarra.
Du Yun, Angélique Kidjo, Arooj Aftab, Juan Pablo Contreras, and Ruby Ibarra are recipients of the 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Music
The 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prizewinners in Music A photograph of the 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prizewinners in Music: Du Yun, Ang\u00e9lique Kidjo, Arooj Aftab, Juan Pablo Contreras, and Ruby Ibarra.
The Vilcek Foundation announces the recipients of the 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prizes in the Arts and Humanities, a part of the Vilcek Foundation Prizes Program. Awarded annually in a rotating category, the Vilcek Foundation Prizes in the Arts and Humanities recognize and celebrate immigrants' contributions to intellectual and cultural life in the United States and highlight the value of immigration for a robust society.
In 2023, the Vilcek Foundation Prizes in the Arts and Humanities are awarded in music. The foundation is awarding five prizes, totaling $350,000 in awards. Two main prizes—the Vilcek Prizes in Music—each include a cash award of $100,000. Three additional awards—the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Music—each include a cash award of $50,000.
The Vilcek Prizes in Music
The 2023 Vilcek Prizes in Music are awarded to Du Yun and Angélique Kidjo. Vilcek Foundation Cofounder, Vice Chair, and Secretary Marica Vilcek elaborated on the decision to award two prizes.
"With the 2023 Vilcek Prizes in Music, it was important to us to recognize a range of musicians: from those in the halls of classical music to the songwriters and performers whose music vibrates across the airwaves around the world," said Vilcek. "Music transcends language, borders, and boundaries. Du Yun and Angélique Kidjo's work exemplify this, from Du Yun's arresting operas and electrifying postmodern compositions to Kidjo's charismatic presence on the global stage over the past four decades."
Vilcek Foundation President Rick Kinsel shared similar sentiments. "The sheer scope of Du Yun's and Angélique Kidjo's work defies any easy categorization," he said. "Du Yun's virtuosic range is evidenced from her operas to her avant-garde projects like Shark in You and A Cockroach's Tarantella—her work bridges sound art and classical composition. Kidjo's prolific songwriting, albums, and collaborations have brought African music to the mainstream, while also introducing generations of listeners to Afropop, Afrobeat, and traditional West African music." He continued, "Both artists' respective influence exemplifies the broad impact immigrants have on culture and society."
Du Yun receives the Vilcek Prize in Music for her open approach to composition, which subverts the boundaries of traditional classical music by incorporating influences from punk, electronic, and experimental music, and for the virtuosity of her Pulitzer Prize-winning opera, Angel's Bone.
Born in Shanghai, China, Du Yun began studying piano at the age of four and began attending the Preparatory Divisions of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music at age six. She came to the United States to pursue higher education in music, earning her bachelor's at Oberlin Conservatory and her Ph.D. in Music Composition at Harvard University. In 2001, Du Yun co-founded the International Contemporary Ensemble with the goal of advancing the genre of experimental music through collaborations, commissions, and performances.
Angélique Kidjo receives the Vilcek Prize in Music in recognition of her exceptional range as a singer-songwriter and for bringing African music to the global stage through her performances, albums, and collaborations. Born in Ouidah, Benin, Kidjo made her musical debut with the album Pretty in 1981. She rose to international fame in the 1990s with albums like Logozo, Ayé, and Fifa. In 1997, Kidjo immigrated to the United States, moving to Brooklyn, New York. Since then, she has continued to write, record, and tour extensively, while undertaking humanitarian work as an international Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF and with the Batonga Foundation, which she founded in 2006.
The Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Music
The Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Music are awarded to early- and mid-career immigrant musicians, composers, and music producers living and working in the United States. Recipients are selected for the professional and creative quality of their work: musical compositions and performances that represent important contributions to their genres, and that resonate and inspire both performers and audiences.
The Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Music are awarded to Arooj Aftab, Juan Pablo Contreras, and Ruby Ibarra.
Arooj Aftab receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Music for her evocative songs and compositions that incorporate a range of influences from semi-classical Pakistani music and Urdu poetry, to jazz harmonies and experimental music. Her blend of ancient traditions and contemporary style has earned her mainstream recognition, including a 2022 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, and a 2022 Grammy for Best Global Performance for Mohabbat. Born in Saudi Arabia to Pakistani parents, Aftab found music as an outlet for self-identification and discovery. She immigrated to the United States in 2005 to pursue studies in music composition and engineering at the Berklee College of Music.
Juan Pablo Contreras receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Music for his work as a composer and conductor of orchestral music that draws on his Mexican heritage, and for his leadership in founding the Orquesta Latino Mexicana. Contreras' compositions tell stories about Mexico from an immigrant perspective. A dedicated teacher and mentor, Contreras seeks to empower the next generation of musicians and to foster equity and inclusion in orchestral programming and seeks to expand classical music curriculum beyond its traditionally Eurocentric focus. Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, Contreras immigrated to the United States in 2006. He holds degrees from the California Institute of the Arts (BFA), the Manhattan School of Music (MM), and the University of Southern California (DMA).
Ruby Ibarra receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Music for her personal and evocative hip-hop and spoken word performances that center her experiences as a Filipina American woman, and as an immigrant growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Born in Tacloban City in the Philippines, Ibarra immigrated to the United States with her family in 1991. Her debut mixtape, Lost in Translation, and her 2017 album, CIRCA91, explore themes including immigration, colorism, and misogyny. In addition to her music, Ibarra is a dedicated activist, and in 2018 she founded the Pinays Rising Scholarship program.
The Vilcek Foundation
The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation for the arts and sciences. The foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission of the foundation was inspired by the couple's respective careers in biomedical science and art history. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded over $7 million in prizes to foreign-born individuals and has supported organizations with over $5.8 million in grants.
The Vilcek Foundation is a private operating foundation, a federally tax-exempt nonprofit organization under IRS Section 501(c)(3). To learn more, please visit vilcek.org.
The Vilcek Foundation has announced the recipients of the 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Biomedical Science. Awarded annually since 2006, the prizes recognize immigrant scientists at the forefront of their fields, and celebrate the importance of immigrant contributions to scientific research and discovery in the United States. In 2023, the foundation awards a total of $250,000 to Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado (b. Venezuela), Edward Chouchani (b. Canada), Biyu J. He (b. China), and Shixin Liu (b. China).
The prizes comprise the Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science, and three Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science. The Vilcek Prize is a $100,000 award bestowed on an immigrant scientist whose career achievements demonstrate a legacy of major accomplishment in their area of study. The Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise are $50,000 prizes given to immigrant scientists and researchers whose early career work represents a significant contribution to their field.
The Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science is awarded to Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado. Edward Chouchani, Biyu J. He, and Shixin Liu receive Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise.
The Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science
Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado is executive director and chief scientific officer of the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator. He receives the Vilcek Prize in Biomedical Science for his contributions to the field of regeneration—from the identification of crucial genes that control regeneration in living organisms to the potential for regenerative medicine to address how we treat disease in humans. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Sánchez Alvarado immigrated to the United States to pursue his bachelor's at Vanderbilt University before going on to complete his Ph.D. in pharmacology and cell biophysics at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine.
"Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado has devoted his career to understanding the fundamental molecular and cellular bases of regeneration, from the specific genes responsible for regeneration to epigenetic regulators that compel the expression of these genes," said Vilcek Foundation Chairman and CEO Jan Vilcek. "Using a freshwater flatworm—an organism called Schmidtea mediterranea—as a powerful experimental tool to study the molecular mechanisms of tissue regeneration, he has pioneered and expanded the field of regeneration. His work has broad applications for our understanding of the pathology of degenerative disease."
The Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science
Edward Chouchani, Biyu J. He, and Shixin Liu are the recipients of the 2023 Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science.
Edward Chouchani is an associate professor of cancer biology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an associate professor of cell biology at Harvard Medical School. He is a cofounder and board member of Matchpoint Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on the development of precision medicine. Born in Ottawa, Canada, Chouchani earned his bachelor's at Carleton University and his Ph.D. in biological sciences at the University of Cambridge. He receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science for his work to decipher the molecular mechanisms that drive metabolic disease, with the aim of developing therapeutic interventions targeted at the molecular drivers of metabolism within cells.
Biyu J. He is an assistant professor of neurology, neuroscience and physiology, and radiology at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, and principal investigator of the Perception and Brain Dynamics Laboratory at NYU Langone Health. Born in Xinxiang, China, Biyu J. He immigrated to the United States to pursue her Ph.D. in neuroscience at Washington University in St. Louis. She receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science for her research leadership in the field of cognitive neuroscience, and for her groundbreaking work on the biological bases of perceptual cognition and subjective experience.
Shixin Liu receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise for applying cutting-edge biophysical tools to directly visualize, manipulate, and understand the physiological function of nanometer-scale biomolecular machines including DNA replication and transcription complexes at the single-molecule level. Liu is an associate professor at The Rockefeller University, where he has been the head of the Laboratory of Nanoscale Biophysics and Biochemistry since 2016. Born in Anhui province in China, he immigrated to the United States to pursue his Ph.D. in chemistry at Harvard University.
The 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prizes
In addition to the Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Biomedical Science, in 2023 the foundation is awarding $250,000 in prizes to immigrant musicians with the Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Music. The recipients of the Vilcek Foundation Prizes in Music are Du Yun, Angélique Kidjo, Arooj Aftab, Juan Pablo Contreras, and Ruby Ibarra.
The Vilcek Foundation
The Vilcek Foundation raises awareness of immigrant contributions in the United States and fosters appreciation for the arts and sciences. The foundation was established in 2000 by Jan and Marica Vilcek, immigrants from the former Czechoslovakia. The mission of the foundation was inspired by the couple's respective careers in biomedical science and art history. Since 2000, the foundation has awarded over $7 million in prizes to foreign-born individuals and has supported organizations with over $5.8 million in grants.
The Vilcek Foundation is a private operating foundation, a federally tax-exempt nonprofit organization under IRS Section 501(c)(3). To learn more, please visit vilcek.org.
ZayZoon, the Earned Wage Access provider for small and midsized organizations, announced today a partnership with Amada Senior Care, a firm focused on enriching lives by providing nurturing, compassionate senior home care to ensure their staff has the financial flexibility they deserve. With more than 120 locations, thousands of Amada employees provide in-home care and assisted living services to seniors across 37 states.
Thirty-one Amada locations have already activated ZayZoon and more than 750 employees have signed up to have instant access to their wages as they earn them, without having to wait for their regular paycheck. In addition to ZayZoon's Wages On-Demand, Amada staff also have access to free financial education and retailer rewards, which can save customers hundreds of dollars on everyday purchases.
"We wanted to provide our employees with a benefit that was available to everyone and desired by most. ZayZoon is a completely hands-off solution that has proven impacts on improving retention, which made offering the benefit to our staff an easy decision," said Rick Basch, COO of Amada Senior Care Franchise.
ZayZoon makes its products available to all employees, regardless of whether they are hourly or salary. In a world where there are many check-the-box benefits available that don't provide much benefit at all, it's common for a business to have 30%+ of their workforce using ZayZoon regularly. In a survey, 89% of customers reported ZayZoon had helped them in reducing their financial stress.
About Amada Senior Care Amada Senior Care, formerly Amada Home Care, was founded in 2007 by college friends Tafa Jefferson and Chad Fotheringham. Today, Amada Senior Care has more than 120 locations across the United States and is committed to enriching lives by providing nurturing, compassionate senior home care and by guiding families through the many senior housing options available for assisted living. Healthcare professionals and families look to Amada to help them navigate the complexities of the senior care system.
About ZayZoon
ZayZoon is on a mission to improve employee health through the use of responsible financial products. Unfortunately, millions of Americans rely on predatory products such as payday loans and overdraft fees to bridge the paycheck-to-paycheck gap created by pre-determined payroll cycles. With their products, including Wages On-Demand, Financial Education and retail rewards, ZayZoon helps break that cycle. ZayZoon's on-demand access to wages helps reduce financial stress and improve workplace satisfaction and productivity.
TVAX Biomedical (TVAX) is a cancer immunotherapy company that is moving into its pivotal glioblastoma study for FDA regulatory approval. In September 2022, TVAX Biomedical received an approximately $2 million 4-year grant from the FDA Office of Orphan Products for its planned glioblastoma study. TVAX Immunotherapy® could fundamentally change the way cancer is treated as T cells can kill all cancer cells, including cancer stem cells, without the toxicity of current treatments. TVAX Biomedical has previously received Fast Track Designation and Orphan Product Designation from the FDA. Dr. Wayne Carter, TVAX Biomedical CEO exclaimed, "We are thrilled to receive this highly competitive grant from the FDA and eager to bring this novel therapy to glioblastoma patients looking for better options!"
TVAX Immunotherapy is a cutting-edge approach to cellular therapy. The individualized therapy first helps the patient develop immunity against their cancer and the unique "neoantigens" that cancer cells produce. Next, T cells are removed from patient's blood and activated in TVAX's specialized manufacturing facility. Patients are then treated with billions of their own "killer" T cells that attack their cancer. Dr. Wayne Carter, TVAX Biomedical's CEO, explains it like this: "TVAX's technology uses 'killer' T cells that function like billions of smart bombs hunting and destroying cancer cells throughout the body. TVAX Immunotherapy has very few side effects because 'killer' T cells kill cancer cells, not normal cells."
This therapy has shown promising results for four-legged friends too. The ability to treat multiple types of cancer prompted TVAX to spin-off its animal health division into Elias Animal Health, an affiliate pursuing similar treatments in dogs. Elias is using the technology to treat osteosarcoma, an incurable bone cancer and is completing their registration study with the USDA.
TVAX Immunotherapy has been administered to more than 120 patients and has demonstrated efficacy against several cancers, producing numerous long-lasting complete and partial responses with none of the "off-target" short and long-term toxicity seen with CAR-T cell therapy, checkpoint inhibitors, and chemotherapies.
FDA Fast Track Designation affords many advantages, including a pathway to accelerated marketing approval. TVAX Immunotherapy has dramatically lower manufacturing costs compared to other cellular immunotherapies such as CAR-T therapies.
About TVAX Biomedical
TVAX Biomedical is a clinical stage development company advancing its proprietary personalized T cell-based cancer immunotherapy. The company's lead candidate is supported by positive Phase 2 clinical data, as well as extensive preclinical and Phase 1 safety studies. TVAX plans to initiate a registration study in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients in 2023. The US brain cancer market is $1.5 billion with many follow-on market opportunities in other types of cancer. As part of its ongoing strategy, the company is seeking investors and corporate alliances to support the development.
For more information please contact: [email protected]; 913-492-2221
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Contact Information:
General Info
Marketing [email protected]
913-492-2221
Following the success of Nedap's three-store pre-rollout, 135 of PUMA stores in North America are now being equipped with Nedap's iD Cloud, allowing fast and regular stock counts, efficient replenishment, smart refill suggestions and data-driven loss prevention. The store solution also enables stores to always have the right products available and, as such, to provide best-in-class omnichannel customer experiences. And with better stock visibility, PUMA NA can offer services such as Ship-From-Store and Click & Collect (BOPIS) more efficiently.
''The partnership with Nedap will ensure PUMA North America is able to further accelerate the flexibility and the service portfolio of its omnichannel business,'' explains Russ Kahn, Sr. Vice President, North America Retail at PUMA. ''RFID technology is already creating a seamless brand experience for PUMA NA across all consumer touchpoints, with stock visibility a key enabler for product availability as well as circular services, which has allowed PUMA NA to achieve 2% uplift in replenishment and 2% uplift in sales.''
A collaborative partnership
PUMA North America selected Nedap iD Cloud due to its ease of adoption for PUMA NA stores and iD Cloud's platform capabilities. Since the selection of the platform, PUMA NA has rolled-out iD Cloud's Store with the full deployment paid back within six months. The next step is to implement Nedap's loss prevention technology.
''PUMA aims to be the fastest sports brand in the world, and we are excited to be a part of their journey as PUMA's North American RFID partner," comments Wouter Ubbels, Vice President of Sales Retail, North America at Nedap. "Our partnership with PUMA NA has been collaborative and we were able to generate exceptional value with minimal complexity, which they were not achieving prior to introducing iD Cloud. Our future-proof solution was fast to be adopted in stores and has quickly become a vital part of everyday operations."
The travel app Visited by Arriving In High Heels Corporation has published a list of the top 10 most popular ancient sites that international travelers visit.
Visited, available on iOS or Android, is a top app for international travelers. The travel app allows users to check off places they've been, see custom maps of their travels, discover new destinations, get custom-printed travel maps, and set travel goals.
The top 10 most visited ancient sites include:
The Colosseum in Rome, Italy is the largest amphitheater in the world and one of the oldest, dating back to A.D. 70. The famed Roman gladiator battles took place in the iconic circular arena.
The Acropolis, in Greece, is an ancient citadel that includes historic masterpieces like the Parthenon overlooking the city of Athens.
Pompeii, Italy, draws tourists seeking stunningly detailed glimpses of the past, with the well-preserved ancient city of Pompeii that was buried by a volcano in AD 79.
Stonehenge, England is a prehistoric monument that dates back 5,000 years and includes construction from the Neolithic age.
Athenian Agora, Greece brings to life the ancient Greek agora, or public gathering place, with remaining temples and beautiful ancient architecture.
Chichen Itza, Mexico is a complex containing ancient Mayan ruins, including an expansive step pyramid.
The Great Pyramid at Giza is the largest Egyptian pyramid and the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Machu Picchu, Peru is an Incan citadel dating back to the 15th century.
Tulum, Mexico is home to some of the best preserved ancient Mayan ruins, with remains of a walled city.
Roman Baths in the city of Bath, Somerset, England, feature an ancient Roman bathing complex and temple with hot springs that still run today.
To see the full list of the most visited ancient sitesand over 50 lists of the most popular travel destinations in the world, download Visited on iOS or Android.
When an organization needs to improve its financial management and make faster decisions, it looks to automate processes and reduce margin of error more efficiently. Doing this successfully requires people who know finance and technology, and most importantly, people fluent in both. Recognizing that need, Optimus, a provider of strategic consulting and recruiting services, has launched a division specializing in Treasury transformation.
Houston-based Optimus, founded in March 2004 by energy industry veterans, has deep experience in the recruiting and solutions space, particularly in the commodities and technology sectors. "Coming from the business and having direct experience in the business processes and systems leveraged by our clients has been a consistent recipe for success," said Michelle Bruce, Partner at Optimus. "Adding a strong team of experts who can do the same in the treasury space just makes sense."
As management of cash flow becomes increasingly critical and complex, Treasury Management Systems (TMS) have emerged as a crucial element for organizations across industries. Transitioning from processes that are partly or largely manual is an enormous challenge. Businesses now realize the need for automated systems and see that strategic planning for that change is vital in order to implement an effective system that includes an appropriate integration architecture. Without proper planning, companies can expect day-to-day operations to be severely affected and costs to rise exponentially.
"The most successful businesses can manage, invest, and forecast optimally and proactively through turbulent market conditions," Bruce said. "Businesses want to create efficiencies with automation that streamline day-to-day operations, allowing for employee focus on strategic thinking and data analytics as opposed to cumbersome process steps."
Optimus leaders see the Treasury Division as a natural expansion of its success in delivering energy and commodities trading risk management (ETRM/CTRM) solutions. The team of Treasury experts possesses the rare experience of having worked in both financial consulting as well as within technology vendors.
"Optimus team members have been on both sides of the equation and have a true understanding of what it takes to implement a TMS solution," said Darren Hartzell, Managing Director at Optimus. "With our level of vendor knowledge, we excel as the intermediary between the client and the vendor. Our ability to be that translator is unique in the consulting sector. Having worked on both the technical and functional sides, we can provide much more strategic insight for the client."
The Optimus Treasury Division also leverages the firm's well-established Human Capital solutions in its approach. Implementing a TMS program can require hiring temporary or permanent staff to ensure success and to foster the organization's independence and long-term growth.
"We want to empower the business teams, ensuring they have the knowledge they need to be comfortable and confident in what they do every day," said Heather Leverett, Partner at Optimus. "Our goal is to come in, be efficient and effective, and deliver the solution the client needs for long-term success."
Optimus is a global provider of human capital integrated solutions and consulting services, offering experienced strategic consulting, direct hire placement and specialized staffing services. Founded in March 2004 by energy industry veterans, Optimus has built a substantial team of seasoned professionals with deep experience in the recruiting and solutions space, and a particular emphasis on the commodities, financial, and technology business areas. The firm's direct and extensive experience in the business areas it serves whether Commodities Trading & Marketing or Treasury sets Optimus apart from the competition.
