Spirit of Innovation Sets Greater Owensboro, KY Apart
For Dr. Chandra Emani, a biology professor and researcher at Western Kentucky University-Owensboro, it doesn’t get much better than seeing former students advance into key roles within Greater Owensboro’s fast-growing biotech and life sciences sector.
One recent graduate who collaborated with Emani on a plant-based cancer project is now a research technician pursuing a Ph.D. Another accepted a position in food toxicology research. Three others joined local industry leader Kentucky BioProcessing Inc. as part of a team developing vaccines to combat the Ebola virus.
“We have so many exciting developments, and the students are right in the middle of them,†says Emani, who operates a laboratory within the Centre for Business & Research, a business accelerator and research facility that offers lab, equipment and office space for startups. Companies that have worked with the center include Hollison Technologies, which is developing crucial food-testing tools, and Intrucept Biomedicine, which is working with the University of Louisville to develop a protein-infused gel from crushed tobacco leaves for blocking HIV transmission.
We have so many exciting developments, and the students are right in the middle of them,†Dr. Chandra Emani, biology professor and researcher at Western Kentucky University-Owensboro.