" TUCSON, Ariz. – On September 26, 2023, Tech Launch Arizona, the office of the University of Arizona that commercializes inventions stemming from research, will host its annual I-Squared Awards and Expo event. Along with honoring the top inventors, entrepreneurs, and community leaders dedicated to commercializing UArizona inventions, the evening will include an expo of innovations and startups stemming from UArizona hosted by entrepreneurial, inventive teams."

"“Research is a core strength at the University of Arizona, and we are always mindful of the need to move discoveries and innovations out into the world to make it a better place,” said University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins. “I find it gratifying and energizing to see the I-Squared honorees every year. They truly embody our ideals as an impactful research university.”"

"Chilton founded or co-founded 4 startup companies and 1 non-profit. Along with being a successful academic researcher with over 150 publications, he has also penned five bestselling books, including Inflammation Nation, that have affected the lives of hundreds of thousands of readers. His innovative global initiatives with non-profit organizations have brought medical and food assistance to tens of thousands of people." 

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Tomorrow is here, taking a look into the depths of the climate crisis as outlined by the University of Arizona Health Sciences.

Climate change is undeniably impacting the physical and mental health of people worldwide. With millions already facing the daily consequences of climate change, the United Nations warns that over 40% of the global population resides in areas highly vulnerable to its effects. The University of Arizona is taking action by forming working groups of multidisciplinary experts to study the impact of climate change on human health and explore ways to redesign global food systems using AI and machine learning. The World Health Organization emphasizes that climate change threatens the fundamental components of good health, such as clean air, safe drinking water, nutritious food, and secure shelter, potentially reversing decades of progress in global health.

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The rise in atmospheric CO2 levels is reducing the nutritional quality of food, leading to severe physical and mental health consequences due to micronutrient deficiencies. Poor diets caused by low consumption of healthy foods contribute to 1 in 5 deaths globally. Staple crops like rice, wheat, and soybean are becoming harder to grow due to changing climate conditions, which not only reduces their yield but also diminishes their nutritional value. Insufficient access to food can have long-term effects, as underweight babies born to undernourished mothers are more susceptible to diet-related diseases later in life.

UArizona Health Sciences researchers prioritize studying the impact of climate change in arid climates, home to nearly 30% of the world's population and our very own state of Arizona as our laboratory. They recognize the potential of healthier, plant-based diets in combating the climate crisis and improving health outcomes. Diversifying food sources, promoting precision agriculture and nutrition, and developing resilient crop species are crucial steps to adapt to climate change. The university's collaborative approach aims to connect the dots between climate change and its impact on human health, building healthier communities and addressing the urgent environmental and human health challenges posed by climate change. For more information check out this article from the University of Arizona Health Sciences.

Director, Floyd "Ski" Chilton, Inducted into the National Academy of Inventors. 

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Renowned nutrition expert, professor, and our very own Director for the Center of Precision Nutrition and Wellness, Floyd "Ski" Chilton, has been honored as a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). This prestigious recognition is bestowed upon academic inventors who have made significant contributions to innovation and inventions that have positively impacted society and quality of life. Ski has dedicated his 40-year research career to precision health, disease prevention, and addressing health disparities.

Ski's groundbreaking work in precision nutrition and wellness has led to over 160 scientific publications, more than 30 patents, and continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health for over 35 years. His research focuses on gene-diet interactions, immune signaling, racial and ethnic disparities, and the molecular and genetic factors underlying diseases such as COVID-19, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Ski's patented inventions have formed the basis for several startup companies, and he continues to drive innovation in the field of precision health and nutrition.

Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Ski has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, including being a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He is also an accomplished author, having written several books on nutrition, diet, and physical and mental health. Ski's induction into the NAI fellowship highlights his remarkable achievements and the profound impact of his work on advancing scientific knowledge and improving human health. See the full article on UA News. 

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The 12^th International Ceramide Conference (iCC) was held April 16-20, 2023, in its original location, Charleston, SC. The scientific program covered a wide range of sphingolipid research, including structural and biological models and tools, and roles of sphingolipids in neurobiology, health, and disease that included metabolic diseases, storage diseases, cardiovascular diseases and skin disorders, immunology and infectious diseases, and cancer biology/therapeutics. Special awards were provided to junior faculty in honor of Lina M. Obeid and Mark Kester who made significant contributions to the field not only through their scientific discoveries but also by their mentorship and collegiality. Many of the oral presentations were selected from junior faculty or trainees at many levels in the program, and numerous travel awards were provided by the generous sponsors.

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 Sarah Blomquist, a fourth year PhD Candidate in Dr. Chilton's laboratory, recently traveled to the American Society for Nutrition's annual conference, known this year as NUTRITION 2023 and held in Boston, MA. Her research focuses on gene-diet interactions as a result of the Modern Western Diet and how that impacts ancestry-based health disparities. It reveals that approximately 40% of Mexican Americans have a gene-diet interaction that prevents them from synthesizing long chain omega-3 fatty acids. This in turn has the capacity to impact third trimester infant brain development and function, adult cardiometabolic and cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Sarah's poster was displayed during the "Precision Nutrition/Nutrient-Gene Interactions" poster session, and the editing of a scientific manuscript on this research is currently underway, with anticipation of publication in the near future.