UB to Honor Kaleida Health, Buffalo Public Schools and Innovative Faculty at UB Partners Day

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Kaleida Health and Buffalo Public Schools will be among organizations and individuals recognized as important UB partners during UB Partners Day on June 13.

The annual event features an awards luncheon, along with a half day of workshops showcasing how UB, businesses, nonprofits and public agencies are collaborating to support Buffalo Niagara's economic growth.

This year's scheduled keynote speaker is Bruce Katz, vice president at the Brookings Institution and founding director of the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. Katz, who is advising Gov. Andrew Cuomo on economic development in Buffalo and across the state, will speak on the topic, "What's happening with the $1 billion for Buffalo challenge?"

An agenda and registration information are available at http://www.buffalo.edu/businessengagement/News/Events/index.php.

During the luncheon, Kaleida Health will receive the university's Vital Partner Award. Kaleida Health and UB have worked together for many years to improve medical research and clinical care in Western New York.

Most recently, on May 24, the two organizations opened a $291 million building downtown that houses the new Gates Vascular Institute and Clinical and Translational Research Center. Kaleida Health physicians and UB researchers will share the 10-story space with the Jacobs Institute, delivering clinical care, studying the causes and treatments of an array of diseases, and spurring new biotechnology companies.

Other Partners Day honorees will include Joseph A. Gardella, UB John and Frances Larkin Professor of Chemistry, who will share the University Community Partners Award with Buffalo Public Schools.

Gardella and the district are heading the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Partnership (ISEP), a $10 million program funded primarily by the National Science Foundation to encourage hands-on laboratory and field work in science classes. The program provides about 60 teachers a year with interdisciplinary, research-based professional development opportunities, along with a network of supporters to staff activities in class and after school. Buffalo State College and the Buffalo Museum of Science are also core partners in ISEP.

David G. Hangauer, associate professor of chemistry and co-founder of Buffalo life sciences company Kinex Pharmaceuticals, will receive UB's Faculty Entrepreneur Award.

This year's workshops will highlight how UB's partners have leveraged UB resources to support business and community improvement objectives.

One session will describe how IBC Digital, a local animation company, has used UB supercomputing capabilities to render videos with complicated effects and a high production value. Another will focus on how UB resources like law clinics and the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership can advance social entrepreneurship.

In all, attendees will choose from more than a dozen presentations held during three morning sessions.