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2025 I-Corps News Archive
News Archive:
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TeacherServer surpasses five million users and redefines AI for educators
November 21, 2025
In just a little over a year, TeacherServer has exploded to more than five million users worldwide, making it one of the fastest-growing AI platforms in education. Created by Zafer Unal, USF College of Education associate dean of undergraduate studies, the platform is transforming how educators integrate artificial intelligence into their classrooms. Dr. Zafer Unal was a Principal Investigator on a Fall 2022 USF I-Corps team.
Finalists announced for 2026 SPIE Startup Challenge, showcasing innovative, investment-ready
optics and photonics technologies and applications
November 19, 2025
Seven early-stage startup companies have been selected to compete for a prize of $10,000 at the 16th annual SPIE Startup Challenge at Photonics West on 20 January. One of the finalists is SPKL LLC with SPKL Flow Monitor, a low-cost, wearable blood flow monitor—empowering stroke first responders to save lives when every second counts. Dr. Parthasarathy was the Principal Investigator and Karthik Sriram, a USF alum, was the Mentor on a Spring 2020 USF I-Corps team.
eNose Diagnostics wins the Sahlgrenska Global health Hackathon 2025
October 23, 2025
A team of researchers from the University of South Florida - in collaboration with
Linkoping University (Sweden) - has won the Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon 2025. Dr. Arash Takshi was a Principal Investigator (PI) on a Fall 2022 USF I-Corps
team.
2025 Inno Awards: These 23 local innovators are shaping Tampa Bay's tech ecosystem
June 20, 2025
Twenty-three local innovators are being recognized as honorees for the 2025 Tampa Bay Inno Awards, celebrating the talent, creativity and disruptive strategies shaping our region’s tech ecosystem. Dr. Zafer Unal, Edtech honoree for the TeacherServer AI platform, was a Principal Investigator on a Fall 2022 USF I-Corps team.
The University of South Florida Foundation and the USF Research Foundation have awarded Foundation Bull Ring Accelerator Grants to three early-stage start-ups affiliated with the Tampa Bay Technology Incubator. Following a rigorous and competitive process, MediMirror, Quantum Silicon Clocks and SPKL have been selected to each receive up to $25,000 in BRAG funding. Dr. Ashwin Parthasarathy (SPKL) was a Principal Investigator for a Spring 2020 USF I-Corps team.
Scientists use AI in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases
June 11, 2025
Reuters featured work from USF in this story about how scientists are using AI to impact public health as it relates to mosquito-borne illnesses. Faculty member Sriram Chellappan and doctoral student Farhat Binte Azam show how a device created in USF labs uses AI to trap and identify mosquitos. Dr Sriram Chellappan was a Principal Investigator (PI) and Farhat Binte Azam was the Entrepreneurial Lead (EL) on a Fall 2024 USF I-Corps team.
USF Health researchers developing probiotic cocktail that may help ward off dementia
April 29, 2025
Hariom Yadav can't get a particular cocktail off his mind—especially because our aging population potentially could benefit from the benefits for brain health that this punch may pack. The drink is a unique blend of probiotics that can positively impact the microbiome, the unseen community of microorganisms that live by the trillions in a person's gut. Dr. Hariom Yadav is the Principal Investigator (PI) for an I-Corps National Team and has been a PI on several USF I-Corps teams.
USF professors and team win health hackathon
April 25, 2025
Congratulations to USF College of Engineering Professor Arash Takshi, USF Muma College of Business Professor Ehsan Sheybani, and their research team on winning the Sahlgrenska Global Health Hackathon USA with eNose Diagnostic, a non-invasive technology for early detection of cancer by analyzing chemical release from the blood. Dr. Arash Takshi was a Principal Investigator (PI) on a Fall 2022 USF I-Corps team.
USF Sarasota-Manatee researchers receive seed funding for human trafficking prevention
project
February 13, 2025
A research team that includes two USF Sarasota-Manatee faculty members has been awarded a Cyber Florida grant to develop an AI-driven education platform designed to safeguard teenagers from human trafficking risks prevalent in online gaming, cyber dating and social media environments. Dr. Tingting Zhang is a Principal Investigator (PI) on a Spring 2025 USF I-Corps team.