Continuing to embrace his entrepreneurial characteristics, Bhide has been instrumental in the success of the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases. With Bhide as its director, IPRD has initiated six programs designed with one mission:“ To develop and integrate innovative technologies that improve outcomes for children and families affected by rare diseases.”
“ It’ s a very difficult thing, the entrepreneurial endeavor,” said Bhide, Jim and Betty Ann Rogers Eminent Scholar Chair of Developmental Neuroscience and director of IPRD.“ But if you don’ t dream big and take risks, nothing will happen.”
Ava Bienkiewicz, Ph. D. shares a similar innovative spirit and a passion for understanding the underpinnings of neurodegeneration and vascular brain injury. Utilizing her multidisciplinary training, Bienkiewicz investigates protein misfolding and structure-function relationships in the context of human disease. She developed a methodology to tackle the multifactorial pathology of Alzheimer’ s disease-like degeneration and a strategy to increase cell survival in bleeding events, including stroke and traumatic brain injury. These research efforts led to four patents through FSU, a commercialization license, and a startup company.
Complementing her bench-to-bedside research activities, Bienkiewicz channels her interest in the foundations of biomedical sciences to teach courses for the Biomedical Sciences doctoral program as well as both the M. D. and Physician Assistant programs in the College of Medicine. During her stay at FSU, she has received four Innovator Awards from FSU,
Outstanding Junior and Senior Faculty Educator Awards, and a Medical Student Council Advisor Award from the College of Medicine. These awards, along with her innovative scientific questions and therapeutic strategies, positioned Bienkiewicz as an ideal nominee for the NAI Senior Member status.
“ I appreciate the support and am truly honored to have been nominated for this national innovator award by FSU. The translational research has been both challenging and exciting,” Bienkiewicz said.“ The possibility of transforming novel therapeutic strategies into a tangible benefit for patients is the ultimate driving force behind these efforts, and being able to contribute to this process has been a privilege.”
Bhide and Bienkiewicz received emails from the NAI Senior Advisory Committee earlier this year announcing their selection as members of the NAI Class of 2026 Senior Members.
“ This recognition is a testament to your remarkable achievements as an academic inventor and a rising leader in your field,” the email stated.“ Your success in patents, licensing, and commercialization – along with your dedication to developing technologies that have made, or aspire to make, a real impact on society – truly exemplifies the spirit of innovation.”
Their formal acceptance into a network of over 900 Senior Members reflects the dedication that both researchers share for patient-centered science – a career milestone that both Bhide and Bienkiewicz credit, at least in part, to the collaborative and supportive environment at FSU.
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