Thanks for clicking through, Cardinal readers. This is the latest edition of Tech Briefs, a weekly batch of items that covers the digital and life sciences landscapes. Look for it every Wednesday in Cardinal News.
Reach out to me via tad@cardinalnews.org with any tips or questions.
Tamarah Holmes, after six years leading broadband expansion in Virginia, has received a promotion.
Holmes has moved from the commonwealth’s Office of Broadband to direct the Department of Housing and Community Development. Her associate director for five years, Chandler Vaughan, was selected as the Office of Broadband’s acting director, according to a news release last week.
Both have been in key positions during years of heavily funded growth in broadband deployment.
The pandemic-era American Rescue Plan Act, combined with state, local and private funds in the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative, has pumped about $1 billion into statewide internet access for 210,000 homes, businesses and community centers. The Office of Broadband last year finalized its plan for the more recent federal initiative, the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program — $613 million to connect more than 100,000 locations without high-speed broadband.
Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance announces new role
Chip Bobbert is joining the Roanoke Blacksburg Innovation Alliance in a newly created role, director of innovation.
Bobbert comes to RBIA from his role as founding director of the Colopy Entrepreneurship Program at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and has a more than 25-year career in innovation and entrepreneurship, according to an RBIA news release.
He began his new job Feb. 2, working across RBIA’s organizations and programs, for which he will lead innovation strategy, founder and investor engagement, and cross-sector partnerships centered on technology and life science commercialization in the region.
RBIA is the umbrella organization for groups including the Regional Accelerator and Mentoring Program, the Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council and the investment-based Common Wealth Angels.
“His comprehensive experience in innovation, technical education, entrepreneurship and academia perfectly positions him to capitalize on the momentum technology and life science innovation is gaining in the region,” RBIA CEO Erin Burcham said of Bobbert.
‘Brain School’ coming next week at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute
Three brain researchers at the Roanoke-based Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC will meet the public on Monday to talk about our least understood organ.
FBRI’s annual Brain School will focus on how genes contribute to healthy brain development, and what can go wrong.
The free event, which is open to the public, will feature assistant professor Ryan Purcell; professor Anthony Samuel LaMantia, director of the institute’s Center for Neurobiology Research; and assistant professor Sharon Swanger.
Brain School, launched in 2014, is held in recognition of National Brain Awareness Week. In addition to talks from the professors, the program will feature interactive exhibits, tours of the institute’s research facilities and brain-healthy food.
FBRI asks those interested to register for the 5 p.m. event to help in planning.
Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council hosts AI Decoded
New to artificial intelligence? Already involved? There’s more to learn at RBTC’s AI Decoded.
Doug Turpin has a title fitting in this era: strategic chief disruption officer at network security and technology compliance firm Tight Technologies Inc. He will discuss how AI is changing the way organizations protect people, places and business operations at 6 p.m. March 12, at QCowork Coworking Space in Blacksburg. Register online.