LaunchTN’s TTAC Proof of Concept Program announces FY 2026 awardees
Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN) has named 16 faculty and staff researchers as awardees in the FY 2026 cohort of its Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC) Proof of Concept Program.
The awards, providing up to $15,000 per project, represent a cumulative investment of nearly $200,000 in early-stage funding across six member universities — funding designed to move promising innovations from the laboratory toward commercial viability.
“The TTAC Proof of Concept Program is a direct investment in Tennessee’s innovation economy,” said Mariel Liggin, Assistant Director of Technology and Research Development at LaunchTN. “Our state’s universities are engines of discovery, and TTAC exists to make sure those discoveries don’t stay on the shelf. These awards are often the first outside validation a researcher receives — and that validation matters. It opens doors to follow-on funding, industry partnerships, and ultimately, new businesses and jobs right here in Tennessee.” Projects are evaluated on novelty, market potential, team strength, and the likelihood that the grant will catalyze additional investment.
2026 Proof of Concept Awardees
East Tennessee State University
- Dr. Mohammad J. Hajipour is developing a nanotechnology-based approach for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease before significant cognitive decline occurs.
- Dr. Benjamin Price received funding to advance an enhanced precision orthopedic step drill component designed to improve surgical outcomes.
- Dr. Shehenaz Shaik is building a fog-based shared storage service that expands access to smart-environment technology in rural and low-income communities while addressing privacy and security concerns.
Middle Tennessee State University
- Dr. Keely O’Brien is exploring new applications of microbial polymers in sustainable food packaging to reduce reliance on petroleum-based materials.
- Dr. Kevin Bicker is advancing preclinical development of novel antimicrobial compounds.
- Dr. Souvik Banerjee is developing antimitotic agents targeting high-risk cancers, opening new avenues in oncology treatment.
Tennessee Tech University
- Dr. Amani Altarawneh is leading work on anomaly detection and security monitoring for cryptocurrencies and distributed ledger technologies, addressing fraud and vulnerabilities in decentralized financial systems.
Meharry Medical College
- Dr. Pius Nde is investigating antagomir-mediated regulation of TGFB1 expression, with implications for understanding and treating fibrosis-related diseases.
- Fapianey Alexandre is applying machine learning to decode fractal-spectral signatures of pathological angiogenesis in oxygen-induced retinopathy, advancing AI-driven imaging tools for early disease detection.
Tennessee State University
- Oluwaseyi Amisu is developing a microgrid control system to optimize the integration of renewable energy to enhance energy resilience and support grid modernization.
- Dr. Bashiyar Almarwani is researching cell-penetrating peptides as a mechanism for more targeted and effective drug delivery.
- Dr. Joshua O’Hair is developing a bacterial strain capable of converting food waste into valuable bioproducts through non-sterile fermentation.
- Dr. Koen Vercrusysse is developing a coating technology that utilizes melanin-like materials to enhance UV-selective absorption, heat capture, and adhesion to glass substrates.
University of Memphis
- Dr. Ricky Leung is developing an AI-based engagement device to improve the quality of life for older adults living with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s-related dementia.
- Dr. Amber Jennings is advancing an antimicrobial and pain-relieving wound dressing with on-device infection detection.
- Dr. Yuan Gao is engineering an acoustic microsystem to rapidly form multicellular tumor spheroids, creating a more efficient platform for preclinical cancer research.
For more information about the TTAC Proof of Concept Program, contact mariel@launchtn.org or visit launchtn.org/ttac-proof-of-concept-program.