First Look Forum spotlights MKE-based innovation

Last week, some of Wisconsin’s most promising scientific discoveries took center stage at the 2025 First Look Forum, a showcase of emerging technologies developed at Marquette University, the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM), and Versiti.

The forum brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders with university researchers to help promising discoveries advance toward commercialization.

A spotlight on breakthrough technologies

Eight research projects were featured during the event, with presentations spanning health care, robotics, and data-driven community solutions:

• RoboHeal’s Swift Robotic Manipulator Mount, led by UWM’s Habib Rahman, enabled quick and reliable attachment and removal of robotic arms, improving flexibility in assistive technologies and other applications.
• Novel compounds to fight parasitic flatworms, discovered by MCW’s Dr. Jonathan Marchant, could offer an alternative to praziquantel, the current treatment for schistosomiasis—a disease that affects millions globally.
• Long-acting RNA therapies, developed by Dr. Christian Kastrup of  Versiti aim to extend the duration and precision of RNA-based treatments for blood disorders.
• Data science for hunger relief, a Marquette University initiative led by Dr. Walter Bialkowski, applied student-driven innovation to address food insecurity through tools like MilkBuddy and Palette, in partnership with Feeding America.
• Precision cancer therapy combining targeted drugs with vitamin C, pioneered by UWM’s Dr. Xiaohua Peng and SynXT Therapeutics, was presented by Taufeeque Ali. He revealed the treatment’s promising results in mice, potentially offering safer treatment for aggressive tumors.
• Night-on-Call (NOC) platform for clinical readiness, presented by Dr. Tavinder Ark of MCW, used AI and actor-based simulations to assess graduating medical students’ preparedness for real-world patient care.
• A new probiotic to weaken antibiotic-resistant infections, researched by Marquette University’s Dr. Krassimira Hristova and presented by Kyle Leistikow, offered a natural strategy to combat deadly bacterial biofilms.
• Safe patient transport for plus-size individuals, a UWM-developed solution from William Perry of PerryMedical, aimed to reduce back injuries among EMTs and improve safety in emergency care settings.

Connecting research to real-world impact

In addition to spotlighting technological innovation, the First Look Forum fostered connections among researchers, investors, and industry leaders who can help accelerate the development and commercialization of new solutions.

To view additional images from this event, click here.