CULTURE OF INNOVATION

ALAMO TECHNOPOLIS

San Antonio is a network of regional technology parks, academic campuses and area non-profit R&D facilities including: University of Texas Health Science Center, University of Texas San Antonio, Southwest Research Institute, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, Texas Research Park, Brooks City-Base, and Port San Antonio.

The Alamo Technopolis - San Antonio MSA - Pictures Southwest Research Institute, Texas Institute for Biomedical Research, University of Texas Health Science Center, Texas Research Park, Kelly USA (logo), and Brooks City Base. Military Medical Center was discussed earlier but is not pictured below.

Today, the Texas Biomedical Research Institute houses a world-class bio informatics research institute sponsored by AT&T Genomics Computing Center and an entrepreneurial spin-out. The institute’s computer “Ranch” houses the world's largest human genetic and genomic cloud for computational research (cyber) at the interface of physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics.

The math magic at the Ranch is Dr. John Blangerro's early start on the mathematics of hereditary disease. Blangerro's approach tracks gene variation up and down the hereditary ladder across generations.

While other scientists were focused on gene expression in the person with a disease, Blangerro's work looks at hereditary changes in genes and the genome for a person with a particular disease, heart disease, for example, by studying the target patient as well as his or her spouse, children and parents.

Dr. John Blangero at the Ranch--the AT&T Genomics Computing Center.

Compliments Texas Biomedical Research Institute

The spin-out, Evestra, Inc., is based on the 50 year life-time organic chemistry career of Dr. P.N. Rao. Rao and his team of chemists pioneered many aspects of steroid chemistry, women’s fertility and cancer. According to the Texas Institute for Biomedical Research web site:

Evestra is commercializing a pipeline of products in fertility control, hormone replacement therapy, and oncology. Evestra team also is working on: (1) A reformulated oral contraceptive; (2) Developing novel progestin drugs for fertility control; (3) The reformulation of a hormone replacement therapy with a superior safety profile; (4) Finding a new drug candidate for endometriosis and fibroids; and, Developing new drugs to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer. Evestra also generates revenue from the synthesis of steroids for the National Institutes of Health pursuant to a contract SFBR has had for over 30 years, which was transferred to Evestra.

(TIBR, SFBR launches for-profit drug company: Evestra Inc. to focus on women's health issues, May 12, 2008)

Research programs at TIBR include studying cardiovascular disease and its associated risk factors; cancer; infectious diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis and herpes; new and emerging disease threats such as dengue, SARS and avian flu, and possible bioterror agents like anthrax and Ebola; the role of genetics in human diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, epilepsy, mental illness, and the pregnancy disorder preeclampsia; fetal growth and development; hormonal research; and behavioral medicine. (Texas Biomedical Institute, About Us)

In 2010, SwRI had a staff of 3,057, including 274 professionals who hold doctorate-level degrees and 505 at the master's level degrees. SwRI holds more than 980 patents has earned 36 R&D 100 awards, and has been inducted in the U.S. Space Foundation's Space Technology Hall of Fame. SwRI, is primarily focused on applied research, but encourages both in client projects internally that can be applied or basic research in nature. (SwRI, Facts About SwRI)

In San Antonio, there are 5 concurrent research, development and commercialization sub cultures. There is a non-profit culture (SwRI/TIBR), a military culture, a corporate culture, University/college culture and an entrepreneurial garage start-up culture.

Leading University health-life-bio innovation is the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (UTHSCSA). One of the country’s leading health sciences universities, UTHSCSA ranks in the top 3 percent of all institutions worldwide receiving federal funding. Research and other sponsored program activity totaled $228 million in fiscal year 2010. The university’s schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and graduate biomedical sciences have produced approximately 26,000 graduates. The $744 million operating budget supports eight campuses in San Antonio, Laredo, Harlingen and Edinburg. (UTHSC Overview)

University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC)

Image - UTHSCSA

Formally, two grain silos and a hundred-acre dairy farm have been miraculously a university that educates 200 new physicians (A Brief History of UTHSCSA) and 3,000 students per year (UTHSCSA, About Us).One of many highlights of R&D include: Dr. Susan Naylor’s collaboration with researchers at Baylor in Houston. Naylor and her graduate students made the contribution of a novel computational method of indexing the human genome, ultimately enabling academic researchers to cross the finish line first in the genomics race ending February 15, 2001 with the publication of the genome in the journal Nature.

Susan Naylor, Ph.D., UTHSC, Human Genome Project, Chromosome 3.

Located on the campus of the University of Texas Health Science Center, the South Texas Research Facility is a side-ways skyscraper: A 190,000 square foot school and research mega center. The horizontal monolith will house 350 faculty and staff members for STEM and medical research targeting adult cancer, neurosciences, healthy aging and , regenerative medicine in addition to the pursuits of the Institute for Integration of Medicine and Science (IIMS) and the South Texas Technology Management (STTM).

The horizontal R&D monolith - South Texas Research Facility - University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio (UTHSCA)

Image - UTHSC

The Cancer Therapy & Research Center (CTRC) Institute for Drug Development (IDD) conducts one of the largest oncology Phase I clinical drug programs in the world, and participates in development of cancer drugs approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (CTRC). According to Ian M. Thompson, Jr., M.D., director of the Cancer Therapy & Research Center at the UT Health Science Center "Probably half of all cancers are preventable." In this video he discusses a practical approach to cancer prevention and risk assessment.

The Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies is one of the top 3 aging institutes in the world. In 2012 it is lead by interim director Dr. Steve Austad who is also involved in educational outreach has teamed with Dr. Jim Bower also from the Barshop Institute to investigate the potential of health games and virtual worlds to transform tween behaviors relative to health.

Bower is Chairman of Numedeon, Inc. Pasadena- and San Antonio-based cultivators of wildly popular whyvill.net. According to Dr. Bower, “Numedeon’s latest project in 2012 is a virtual world for Humana, humanaville.com, taking the same technology we use to engage children in learning to seniors.” (Bower, email interview, December 29, 2011)

According to a Numedeon brochure Humanville.com, Picture Yourself Here:

HumanaVille is a new online community where Medicare members visit, engage, and interact. You can play games, learn, make new friends, and talk to other members about things like lowering cholesterol, reducing stress, getting fit, and eating better. You’ll also find health and wellness information you can trust.

It’s easy to use, even if you’re new to online experiences. Just go to HumanaVille.com and enter your MyHumana user ID and password to get started. If you have questions, go to the Town Square and a customer service avatar – a real, friendly person – is ready to answer your questions and guide you. You can even “test drive” the site before you log in, to see if it’s right for you...

(Numedeon, Inc, Humanville.com)

Whyville.net may be the most widely studies online web site for learning on the planet. Recently, a worked example was presented by researchers studying “How Scientific Accuracy in Game Design Stimulates Scientific Inquiry.

"In this worked example we present the importance of scientific accuracy in gaming environments that rely heavily on learning-based activities. This worked example focuses on WhyReef, a simulated coral reef in the virtual world of Whyville.net, which is targeted towards kids ages 8-16. Within WhyReef, kids are able to “dive” on two reefs, count and identify coral reef species, play games to learn who-eats-whom, test ideas about healthy and sick reefs using a simulation, and chat with a scientist. The scientific accuracy of the WhyReef simulation fosters an appreciation for coral reef ecosystems, engages kids in scientific methods and techniques (particularly hypothesis testing and collaborative problem-solving), and assists with science content knowledge of coral reefs. It addresses the manner in which scientific accuracy in a learning-based virtual world simulates real-life scientific observations about and experiences in ecosystems; allows players to mimic scientific processes in order to inform solutions to real world questions; and provide real-life “scientific discovery” moments and opportunities for “higher-level” engagement. This worked example is composed of artifacts from game play in WhyReef and from the Kids Advisory Council, a focus group of youth aged 11-14."

(International Journal of Learning and Media)

Once a center of learning for space and medicine, San Antonio and Dr. Jim Bower represent a leading “free” solution to challenges and opportunities of student engagement across genders in key learning domains such as scientific inquiry, knowledge construction, systems thinking, game theory, project-based virtual learning, computer simulation, computational thinking and contextual learning.

Whyville.net is corss subsidized similar to television with sponsors such as Getty Museum, Toyota, Woods Hole Oceanographic and the Texas Workforce Commission. The popular virtual world has served over 5 million children worldwide. Whyville is free and offers lessons on civic life, journalism, health, sustainable energy, science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and arts in the context of 21st century careers and global challenges. Primarily serving tweens (ages 11-14), Whyville is leading a virtual game world. The company is controlled by Dr. Bower and based in Pasadena (CA) and San Antonio (TX).

Whyville.net free for children of the world from Dr. Jim Bower (UTSA/UTHSC)

Educational technology vendors who are well positioned and leading the market with career and academic planning and exploration Internet services include Bridges, Career Cruising, Student Career Connection, and ASVAB Career Exploration. Whyville.net shifts this market from exploration to simulation with its free virtual world and job roles ranging from bio informatics scientists to virtual senators. Made for “tweens,” Whyville.net has served 7 million subscribers with 200,000 unique users per month and 3,000 new subscribers per day.

Founded in 1999, Whyville features activities in math, science, art, economics, journalism, finance, entrepreneurship, and more, Whyville has over 50 sponsors. including The Getty Museum, NASA, Toyota, the University of Texas, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation/Educause partnership, and the Texas Workforce Commission. Dr. Jim Bower from the University of Texas San Antonio and the University of Texas Health Science Center has translated the lessons of his earlier work at California Precollege Science Initiative (CAPSI) into a learning-based virtual world for teens and tweens. Jim Bower, Founder of Numedeon Inc, talks about Whyville.net's origins, objectives, structures and approach to engaging children in learning.

This virtual world offers free activities related to STEM, careers, life, 21st Century challenges, civics, nutrition, and many other relevant experiences for children. Numedeon partner DaVinci Minds has teamed with Power Across Texas, Alamo Colleges and the Texas Workforce Commission to create the WhyCareers Energy program. The energy initiative won a Bill and Melinda Gates/Educause grant for $250,000 in 2011.

In 2002, Zintgraff co-founded the Information Technology and Security Academy (ITSA) in San Antonio (UTEN, People) in collaboration with Dr. Greg White from UTSA CIAS, Dr. Federico Zaragoza and multi-sector partners. ITSA is a dual-credit program for high school juniors and seniors and is one of 3 models in the Cyber Innovation and Research Consortium Program of Study to unify K-12, College and University study with career pathways.