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AWARDS MANCHESTER TEAM FINALISTS IN COMPETITION TO BE BIOTECHNOLOGY STARS OF THE FUTURE energy is then converted into electricity, enabling the conversion of organic waste into kilowatts more efficiently than any other process. They are selling this technology to farms and waste management companies in conjunction with a quarterly maintenance service, providing their customers with huge profits when electricity is sold to the national grid. BioTherma from left to right: Lee Dunham, Sarah Withey, Joe Segal, Rebecca Sullivan, Jonathan Lemon A team from the University secured a place in the finals of a national competition to find the entrepreneurial bioscientists of the future. In the Manchester workshop of the Biotechnology Young Entrepreneurs Scheme 2013 competition, BioTherma Ltd beat off stiff competition from 16 teams from eight universities and institutes. BioTherma Ltd has developed genetically modified composting bacteria to produce temperatures in excess of 200°C. This thermal The North West heat was held over three days at UMIC's Core Technology Facility and Manchester United Football Club. Regional professionals, including representatives from UMIP and our network of advisors and professional associates offered mentoring sessions to the researchers during the competition. Teams also attended workshops and seminars to hear advice and received tips on how to develop their ideas into commerciallyviable opportunities. Each team was required to present an idea that is based on a hypothetical biotech idea. On the final day of the event they presented their concept to a judging panel of biotechnology and business experts. In the finals held in London on 2nd December, BioTherma won the 'best microbial/plant business plan award.' BioTherma CEO, Lee Dunham, commented: "The competition was fantastic and we all really learnt a lot regarding the biotech industry. Coming together as a team to compete in London and win an award was just the icing on the cake, thanks to all the competitor companies and organisers for creating such a great event." NuTec Ltd from Liverpool University, were overall winners of the competition. www.biotechnologyyes.co.uk UMIP'S DIRECTOR OF IP DEVELOPMENT AND PARTNERING RECEIVES PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION Congratulations to Heather Thompson, UMIP's Director of IP Development and Partnering, for achieving professional recognition as a Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) earlier this year. Heather has 13 years of experience in a technology transfer role having worked for UMIP since its inception in October 2004, and previously as a Project Manager with UMIST Ventures. The accreditation of technology transfer professionals is governed by the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP), an international body set up in 2010 to support overall professional development and training of those working in technology transfer, and to enable formal recognition of those who have demonstrated the core competencies and skills according to an internationally agreed standard. ATTP is an alliance of regional and national associations for technology transfer including those across Europe and in the UK, USA, Australia and South Africa, and Heather joins a group of 170 professionals worldwide who have achieved RTTP accreditation so far. Heather commented: "I'm delighted to have received this recognition. The challenges of translating exciting new technologies and innovations created in a university setting into commercially viable products which can benefit society are formidable, but there are few jobs which are as interesting, varied and rewarding. I'm lucky to work with brilliant academics, enthusiastic industry partners and dedicated UMIP colleagues, and I also enjoy the opportunity to network and share best practice with technology transfer professionals from around the world." 15

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