NEW»YORK»STATE»AGRICULTURAL«EXPERIMENT ‘ STATION CORNELL Station NewsU N I V E R S I T Y GENEVA N EW • YORK iI<» * * * * 3<* »*r“r« vS7"*"''» T: *'S*<3:! >>•*v- V O L U M E L X X V I • N O . 6 COMMERCIALIZING CORNELL FEBRUARY 10-17,1995 BRIEFS TECHNOLOGY A POSSIBILITY ITT Te’re traveling in some new territory for a university,” said LAMBOY ASSUMES GRAPE CURATOR DUTIES \ l \ l James E. Hunter, before some 45 members of the faculty, T Y staff, and others who attended a workshop at the Station on “Commercialization of Cornell Technology” on January 31. “We need to be thinking about W arren F. Lamboy has recently assumed the duties of cura­ tor of the USDA7 ARS cold-hardy * grape collection at the Geneva, New York repository. * Lamboy has been with the Plant Genetic Resources Unit in Geneva for the past four and one-half years as a Cornell Research Associate. His educational background in­ cludes a B.S. in mathematics, an M.S. in statistics, and a Ph D. in Plant Biology. In addition to continuing theestablished record of maintenance and distribution of material from the collection, he also plans to intensify the documentation of the genetic diversity in the collection. Lamboy has begun a collaborative project with colleagues in California and Australia to use DNA sequences to “finger­ print” accessions and to determine genetic relationships between them. Such informa­ tion will be used to evaluate potential new accessions for inclusion in the collection, to test for trueness-to-type, and to aid in the establishment of a grapevine core collec­ tion. taking our research and knowledge and becoming entrepreneurs,” continued Hunter. “A few years ago, it would not have been possible to devote some of our time and energies toward the private sector. There would be conflict of interest concerns. Today, within limits, it is possible for university employees to become entrepreneurs.” The workshop on commercialization of Cornell technology included participants from the City of Geneva, a former member of the Station’s staff who started a high-tech company, the Cornell Research Foundation, the Cornell Office for Technology Access and Business Assistance, and an attorney specializing in establishing small businesses. In his welcoming remarks, Sanford I. Miller, City Manager of Geneva, indicated that Geneva had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Cornell University, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the Geneva Station. “This agreement, among other things, makes the City of Geneva’s economic development tools available for use by Station scientists and other researchers,” said Miller. “It pledges City support for business opportunities, and places special emphasis on our economic development program for emerging technologies, especially from the work derived from such places as the Station; Cornell University; the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York; and Syracuse University.” Thomas E. Stasz, Vice President, Technology Development and Legal Affairs, for TGT, Inc., discussed what it took to develop a small company from research conducted at a place such as the Experiment Station. TGT, Inc. was founded by Gary Harman, professor of microbiology in the Geneva Station’s department of horticultural sciences; Stasz, a former assistant of his; and Russ Howard, a business specialist. TGT markets a biologically engineered fungus that controls pests that attack the roots of plants, especially on crops such as soybeans. Stasz explained that forming a company such as TGT, Inc. does not happen overnight. Once the technology proved that it should be made available to growers, it took about a year to formulate the idea for the company. A business plan was written, market research done, and the business incorporated. Seed money for the company was put up by the founders. Then, since the technology and product were based on science done as part of Harman’s program at the Station, the group met with the Cornell Research Foundation in Ithaca to negotiate a license. GARNER WINS BEST PAPER Lauren Garner won the Best Paper award in the graduate student competition at the Northeast Section meetings of the American Society of Horticultural Science held in Beltsville, Maryland, on January 6 and 7. (Continued on page 3 Eventually, TGT, Inc. began operating out of offices located in Geneva’s economic incubator center on Genesee Street. A market order for sale of the product was received and investors obtained. The span of time for all of this to develop was from 1991 through 1994. This year is seen as a time for expansion, including the sale of stock. By 1997, the company intends to have a public stock offering. Stasz feels if it hadn’t been for Cornell’s cooperation, their company never would have become a reality. “You need very strong encouragement from the university, or you aren’t (Continued on page 2) FEBRUARY 10-17, 1995 (COMMERCIALIZATION, Cont. from page 1) going anywhere,” he said. “The Cornell Research Foundation has been very good about getting patents, supporting research­ ers, and protecting intellectual property. Richard S. Cahoon, Vice President of the Cornell Research Foundation, Inc., ex­ plained how that organization can help move technology and products from the university laboratory into the mainstream commercial­ ization. “This Foundation allows individu­ als within the Cornell community to foster business opportunities whether it’s a start­ for faculty, graduate students, post docs, and staff members to think about possible busi­ ness opportunities that might exist beyond Cornell. And, lastly, we want to be able to link to the business community and work effectively in the creation of an incubator.” COTABA is operated under the auspices of the Vice-president for Research and Ad­ vanced Studies at Cornell, Dr. Norm Scott. Ralph Merzbach, partner in the law firm of Woods, Oviatt, Gilman, Sturman, and Clarke in Rochester, NY, summed up the bation and provision for support services. We also have low-cost financing,” he said. Geneva’s business incubator is called the Geneva Enterprise Development Center. Located in the former American Can build­ ing, it contains 250,000 square feet of space. Currently, there are seven companies in the building, including TGT, Inc., occupying about 60,000 square feet of space. The com­ panies employ about 70 people. “Our objective is really to incubate busi­ nesses. This means we want to help them up such as TGT, Inc. or commer­ grow and expand and eventu­ cialization of technology that in­ ventors create on campus and li­ cense,” stated Cahoon. “The foundation leans toward entrepreneurship and start-ups,” he said. “One of the things that we do for a lot of inventors and cre­ ators is to help them understand what the potential market oppor­ tunity is. We will even tell people that they have an ‘ugly baby,’ "W e w ant to nurture new business enterprises, both on-campus and off-campus. W e want to provide an avenue for faculty, graduate students, post docs, and staff members to think about possible business opportunities that might exist beyond Cornell. And, lastly, w e w ant to be able to link to the business community and w ork effectively ally leave the facility, hope­ fully for another location in Geneva,” stated Rising. In addition to the industrial in­ cubator, Geneva is develop­ ing an incubator in down­ town Geneva which will be geared specifically for retail and service businesses. Geneva can also make loans to help businesses get meaning the idea is probably not worth pursuing in the commercial marketplace.” in the creation of an incubator." Ed Wolf, Director, COTABA started. “We have a federal loan fund that is well capital­ ized,” said Rising. “There is Cornell Research Foundation an industrial fund that has just can provide contact with potential investors, legal challenges of start-ups: “You need under $2,000,000 in it. All the businesses tha although it does not invest in companies more than just product people in a company. in the incubator have loans with the City.” itself. An important part of the Foundation’s You need to move the technology into be­ Another major achievement of Geneva work is to be sure there is no conflict of coming a product. You need to move the was being named one of 40 Economic De­ interest with Cornell University. product into becoming a business. You need velopment Zones in the state of New York. “One way to deal with this,” said to move the business into becoming a com­ The zone consists of 1.2 square miles in the Cahoon, “is to see that the intellectual prop­ pany. Putting all that together takes market­ City and includes all of the downtown area, erty comes through the Foundation. Then, it ing, finance and administration, and savvy the lakefront, and all of the industrial areas. becomes pretty clear that we own it and and experience. That all takes money, and it The designation lasts for 10 years. can then license it out.” In other words, means some very complex pieces of ajigsaw “There are many, many advantages to the inventor at Cornell does not own the puzzle have to be put together in the form of us having an Economic Development Zone,” technology; the Cornell Research Foun­ a relationship between the founders and the said Rising. “Most of the benefits are tax dation does. business and the business itself.” benefits. It doesn’t provide us money to give Another organization within the Uni­ Merzbach went on to detail all the legal to businesses. It provides us an opportunity versity that helps in the commercialization issues that have to be addressed including to give businesses tax credits and to lessen of Cornell technology is the Cornell Office possible conflicts of interest among the the regulatory environment for businesses.” for Technology Access and Business Assis­ founders, in which state the business is in­ Other areas may be added to the Zone later, tance (COTABA), which formally began corporated, various kinds of stocks and stock according to Rising, including the area sur­ operations January 3, 1995. Director Ed option plans, invention agreements, and rais­ rounding Seneca Foods, which is in the Wolf is a former professor of electrical engi­ ing capital. Town of Geneva on Gambee Road. neering at Cornell and Director of what is Final presenter at the workshop was In addition to the memorandum of un­ now the National Nonofabrication Facility. Richard Rising, Director of Planning and derstanding with Cornell University and the He was a co-inventor of the gene gun along Economic Development for the City of Experiment Station, the City has similar with Dr. John Sanford. Geneva. He emphasized that Geneva is very agreements with High Technology of Roch­ “Objectives of COTABA are three­ interested in attracting businesses, encour­ ester, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, fold,” stated Wolf. “We want to nurture new aging new business start-ups, and helping and Finger Lakes Community College. Re­ business enteiprises, both on-campus and support existing businesses to grow. “We cently, Geneva began similar discussions off-campus. We want to provide an avenue have space and facilities for business incu­ with RIT and the U of R. ^ 2 FEBRUARY 10-17, 1995 (BRIEFS, Cont. from page I) Her paper was entitled, “The effect of me­ chanical stimulation on the field performance of tomato transplants.” Garner is working on a Master’s degree in Vegetable Crops under Thomas Bjorkman in Horticultural Sciences. NYS VEGETABLE CONFERENCE AND CULTIVATION CONFERENCE If you are looking for members of the Horticultural Science department next week, you would do best to ’check in Syra­ cuse. Many of them will beattend- ing the 1995 NYS :getable Confer­ ence and Culti­ vation Confer­ ence, February 14-16, at the Sheraton Inn in Liverpool, NY. The conference attracts growers, trade show exhibitors, and horticultural scien­ tists from all over New York, and isoneof the highlights of the winter show season. There are educational seminars on fresh market and processing vegetables, in­ cluding cabbage, vine crops, onions, sweet corn, potatoes, snap beans, toma­ toes, and specialty crops like oriental vegetables. In addi- y, tion, there will be \ special short- courses on cul- . tivation, \\ managing ' Late Blight Dis­ ease in potatoes, and growing v eg etab les in greenhouses. The annual meetings of the NYS Vegetable Growers and the Empire State Potato Club will be held on Wednesday. Presenters from the Station include entomologists, hort scientists, and plant pathologists, notably Tony Shelton, Curt Petzoldt, Helene Dillard, Steve Reiners, George Abawi, Chuck Eckenrode, Jim Ballerstein, Mike Dickson, and Gary Harman. POLICIES, PROCEDURES and PEOPLE Three New Babies Welcomed Last Week • Congratulations to Karen and Mark Wentworth on the birth of their daughter, Abigail, on February 2. Abigail weighed in at 8 pounds and measured 20 1/2 inches long. She is also welcomed by her big sister, Allison. Karen is a Technician in the De­ partment of Entomology. • Congratulations to Leaann and David Kidd on the birth of their son, Nathan Lee, on February 2. Nathan weighed in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces. David is a Technician in Food Science and Technology. • Congratulations to Kathy Arnink on the birth of her son, Cooper, on February 3. Cooper weighed in at 6 pounds, 13.5 ounces. Kathy is a Research Support Specialist in Food Science and Technology. DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFITS HEALTH and DENTAL The New York State Department of Civil Service has announced that effective Febru­ ary 2, 1995, health and dental coverage is available for domestic partners of statutory employees. Contact Personnel, Jordan Hall, for a Domestic Partner Benefits informa­ tional packet, including enrollment forms, or the Statutory Benefits Office, B-22 Mann Library, Ithaca (8-5-4455). CUSTOMIZE THE COLOR OF HIGHLIGHTED TEXT • If you have a color monitor, you can change the color of the area that appears around highlighted text as well as the color of certain window elements. To customize these items, do the following: From the Control Panels folder (in your System Folder), select Color. Play with the color choices until you get a color combination you like. Then click the close box. CREATE PROFESSIONAL FILL-IN LINES • Many people create blank forms with fill-in lines using underscores. However, if s difficult to get the underscores to line up. A simple solution is to use right-align tabs and tab leaders. For example, in Word you first click the ruler to set a tab stop at the location where you want the line to begin. Then click the third (right-align) tab icon in the ruler bar. Click the location on the ruler where you want the line to end. Then, double click on the right-aligned tab mark you just cre­ ated. You’ll see a dialog box. In the Leader section, select the last option (underline). Then, click the close box. When you press Tab between the two tab settings, you’ll see an underline. It sounds complicated, but the results are worth it. C O TO A PARTICULAR PACE • When using Microsoft programs (such as Word and Ex­ cel), you can go to a particular page with a few clicks of your mouse. Double click on the page number at the lower left portion of the window to access the Go To Page dialog box. F E B R U A R Y 1 0-1 7, 1 9 9 5 THIS WEEK'S CALENDAR FEBRUARY 10 -17,1995 EVENTS • MEETINGS Monday, February 13, 12:10 pm Sawdust Cafe Aerobics/Fitness Class for all employees Tuesday, February 14, 10:30 am 348 Morrison Hall, Ithaca CALS Chairs’ Meeting Wednesday, February 15, 12:10 pm Sawdust Cafe Aerobics/Fitness Class fo r all employees Friday, February 17, 9:00 am Room 310, Barton Lab Geneva Administrative Managers’ Meeting Friday, February 17, 12:10 pm Sawdust Cafe Aerobics/Fitness Class fo r all employees “ CLASSIFIED Y O G A CLASS: The practice of yoga reduces the effects of stress on the body and helps to tone and firm the body. Yoga class is being offered Saturday morn­ ings, 10:15-11:45 am, starting March 4 at Hobart and W illiam Smith Sport and Recreation center, 283 Hamilton Street. Call Anne Gilman at 789-7223 for details. WANTED: If you have coins from your country you can spare, perhaps you would send me one or two. I’d be glad to give you the equivalent in US currency. My nephew (who is 7) has begun a coin collection of coins from other countries. I'd like to help him add to his collection for his birthday on February 18. Call Cathy Matteson, Plant Path, at x312. FOR SALE: 1981 Toyota Tercel. Good winter car, timing belt changed last year, good tires. Esther Menseth’s car— she is graduating which is the reason she is selling. $550. Call Stan at x278. FOR SALE: Home brewing supplies and ingredients available. You can make great beereconomically. Call John Ludwig at 539-3155. ELEVENTH ANNWAL STATION CLWB BOWLING PARTY ~\ ust in case you haven’t signed up yet for the Station Club Bowling Party, here’s one more ✓ chance to do so. Saturday, February 25 at 5:30 pm, the Station Club holds its ELEVENTH ANNUAL STATION CLUB BOWLING PARTY at the Town & Country Lanes, PreEmption Road, Geneva. The team captain should be the one to submit the section below along with the total amount the team owes. SEMINARS — HORTICULTURAL SCIENCES Date: Monday, February 13 Time: 11:00 am Place: Staff Room, Jordan Hall Speaker: Sigrid Carle Department of Biology Hobart and William Smith Colleges Topic: Hormonal Control of the Plant Cell Cycle Remember, if you are not going to bowl, but plan on attending, you must sign up under the category “Non-Bowlers” in order to be able to eat and drink. If you are signing up individually, just return the section at right yourself. The form and payment should be returned to Matt Lewis, Jordan Hall, no later than Friday, February 17. Checks should be made payable to “Station Club”. Hope to see you there! TEAM N A M E :_______________ TEAM C A P T A IN :___________ TEAM MEMBERS: 1) PLANT PATHOLOGY Date: Tuesday, February 14 Time: 3:00 pm Place: Room A 133, Barton Lab Speaker: Jana Lamboy Department of Plant Pathology, Geneva Topic: Discovery and Characterization of Differentiation Protein in Uromyces appendiculatus FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Date: Wednesday, February 15 Time: 10:30 am Place: Conference Room, Food Science Speaker: Carl F. Aten, Professor Hobart and William Smith Colleges Topic: Metals in Growth Rings of a \ 00 Year Old Aspen Tree in Geneva 3 ) __________________ 4 ) __^ _________ . 5) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ : NQN-BOWLERS:______________ _________ Bowling: __@$7.50/Club Member @$9.50/Non-Club Member Non-Bowling: ___@$4.00/Club Member __ @$6.00/Non-CIub Member $. $. $. $. TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $. I_ J