Utah Technology Innovation Funding (UTIF) Program

Utah Technology Innovation Funding (UTIF) Program is sponsored by State of Utah / The Nucleus Institute (Nucleus Grow). This program supports eligible Utah small businesses pursuing federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards.

Utah Technology Innovation Funding (UTIF) | Nucleus Institute Nucleus connects Utah’s researchers, companies, talent, investors and public partners to help ideas reach the people who can put them to work. RESEARCH INDUSTRY CAPITAL PUBLIC PARTNERS → IMPACT The convergence imperative Connection is the opportunity. Utah has the research, talent and ambition to solve difficult problems.

Nucleus helps people find the expertise, collaborators and resources to do it together. Read the case for convergence → Start with your next move. Start with what you are trying to do.

The resource finder routes you toward the people, programs and institutions that can help. Open the resource finder → 01 / The statewide architecture From discovery to impact One network. One connector.

One front door. 01 STATEWIDE NETWORK Discover Convergence Corridor Research, talent, companies, capital and public partners across Utah create the starting point for new ideas and opportunities. 02 CONNECTOR Translate Nucleus Institute Nucleus connects the right people and resources, helping ideas move toward a clearer market, mission or commercialization path.

03 PHYSICAL FRONT DOOR Activate Convergence Point A place to bring teams together, demonstrate technology, build partnerships and activate capital around the next step. → 04 INDUSTRY + IMPLEMENTATION Deploy Real-World Adoption Industry, institutions and public partners put ideas to work through products, companies, pilots and implementation.

05 STATEWIDE BENEFIT Impact Utahns Benefit A stronger economy, better jobs, more resilient communities and solutions that improve life across the state. 02 / How Nucleus works Stable roles, flexible programs Three jobs that make connection useful. We convene people around shared challenges, build practical skills and connect promising work with funding.

Bring the right people together. Build relationships and shared context around sectors, opportunities and challenges that cross institutional lines. Converge AI State of Innovation Catalysts Utah Quantum Initiative ↗ Level up expertise to move ideas forward.

Give founders, researchers, students and partners practical ways to learn, translate and act. Put resources behind momentum. Connect work ready to move with capital, federal funding, market access and the support required to go further.

Nucleus Fund SBIR / STTR Capital connections Utah AI Moonshot A front door to Utah Innovation. Planned at The Point in Draper, Convergence Point will bring research, company building, demonstrations and public programs together in one place. Explore Convergence Point → Utah's innovation economy is statewide by design.

Distinct regional strengths connect as one system, from northern Utah through the Wasatch Front to southern Utah.

Explore the Convergence Corridor → NEWS · SEP 22, 2026 NUCLEUS INSTITUTE National Institutes of Health Award Inherent Biosciences a Direct to Phase II SBIR Grant Inherent Biosciences, a Salt Lake City molecular diagnostics company, has been awarded a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)… SEP 30 Nucleus events Nucleus Fund Introduction OCT 01 Community events Utah Biomedical Engineering Conference OCT 02 Nucleus events n^Boost Conference at Utah Tech Utah Tech University · St.

George The next connection starts here What could you move forward? Tell us what you're working on. We'll help you find where it connects.

The convergence imperative Utah has the research, talent, companies and capital to do ambitious work. Nucleus helps them connect across institutional boundaries so more ideas reach the people who can use them. The biggest opportunities are forming between disciplines.

Research and business challenges rarely fit within one discipline. Shared context and early collaboration help people work toward the same outcome. AI + Health Quantum + Defense Energy + Manufacturing Water + Agriculture Strong institutions do more together.

Universities discover. Companies build. Investors provide capital.

Public partners and communities shape needs and opportunities. Nucleus helps those people find one another and work together. One statewide system.

One connector. One physical front door. Convergence Corridor The statewide network linking Utah's research, industry, talent, capital and public assets.

Nucleus Institute The neutral connector that helps those strengths find one another and move together. PHYSICAL FRONT DOOR Convergence Point The place where the statewide system becomes tangible. People meet, demonstrate, translate and build here.

Statewide Impact More research translated into market and public use, more companies scaling, and more teams forming around consequential problems. Our ambition: make Utah America’s fastest place to turn ideas into impact. Research reaches market and public use.

Companies scale in Utah. Capital and expertise find promising work. Talent finds opportunity.

Teams form around consequential problems that cross institutional boundaries. Find your path into the system → What Nucleus does Convene · Educate · Fund Bring people together around shared work. Purposeful convening gives the right people a reason to build together and move from introductions to action.

Converge AI University–industry forums moving statewide. State of Innovation Utah's annual moment to align around the innovation economy. Catalysts Expert forums around emerging priorities and sectors.

Events Focused gatherings that connect Utah's innovation ecosystem. Turn complexity into a clearer next step. Researchers, students and operators need practical translation.

Nucleus gives them market context, tools, mentoring and real-world experience. MarketEdge Commercialization training for Utah researchers. ProLab Student teams applying their skills to real industry challenges.

Industry Workshops Practical sessions connecting innovators with industry expertise, market insight and commercialization know-how. University Engagement Bringing commercialization education and ecosystem access directly to Utah campuses through programs such as Boost. Get the right resources behind promising work.

Nucleus helps innovators navigate the full capital landscape: equity, federal non-dilutive funding, investor relationships and the support required to commercialize. Nucleus Fund $40M evergreen, state-backed venture capital for Utah deep tech. Nucleus Grow SBIR/STTR funding and grant support for Utah innovators.

Capital connections Curated access to investors and strategic partners. Commercialization support Shared expertise that helps good work keep moving. Find the funding to advance your technology.

Get guidance on Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) opportunities, proposal development and funding pathways for your Utah company. Book a Grow consultation ↗ Federal funding guidance SBIR / STTR support Proposal services Utah innovation network For Utah startups and small businesses. Consultations, proposal editing and guidance are available at no cost; some events may charge a fee.

Turn bold ideas into market-ready solutions. Nucleus Grow helps Utah technology companies prepare for research funding and commercialization. Work with the team to identify suitable opportunities, strengthen proposals and plan your next funding milestone.

01 / Find Identify the right funding pathway. 02 / Build Strengthen the proposal and readiness. 03 / Advance Move technology toward market.

Built to help Utah innovators move. From finding the right federal opportunity to navigating proposal requirements and connecting into Utah’s broader innovation network, Grow gives founders a clearer path through a complex funding landscape. We are Utah’s official resource for the SBIR and STTR programs, helping companies prepare competitive proposals and win non-dilutive funding.

We link founders with universities, industry partners, investors, and government resources to accelerate technology from lab to market. Practical support at the points that matter. Grow combines funding navigation, proposal assistance, and founder education so companies can spend less time deciphering the process and more time advancing the technology.

We help Utah companies prepare and submit strong SBIR and STTR proposals, from registrations and budgeting to narrative reviews and final submission. We help companies explore federal research awards, the Utah Technology Innovation Fund (UTIF) and follow-on funding options. Topic matching and proposal services Our team provides coaching, proposal review and editing, and topic matching in your non-dilutive funding search process.

We host regular workshops and one-on-one sessions to help founders understand agency requirements, strengthen proposals, and learn from peers. Understand federal research funding. SBIR and STTR fund small-business research and development.

Learn how to evaluate an opportunity, prepare a proposal and understand the requirements of an award. Nucleus Grow is Utah’s official resource partner for helping entrepreneurs win SBIR/STTR awards.

We offer: Opportunity Matching – Guidance to help identify the right agency and topic fit Proposal Development – Templates, coaching, and hands-on reviews Agency Expertise – Insights into NIH, NSF, DoD, DOE, USDA, NASA, and more Grant Readiness – Support with registrations, budget prep, and compliance checklists Join an SBIR/STTR workshop to understand the process, ask questions and strengthen your proposal.

See the event calendar for upcoming dates and registration details. Attend Our SBIR 101 Workshop ↗ A clearer route from idea to application. Use these steps as a practical starting sequence.

Grow can help you understand where you are in the process and what comes next. Have a novel technology or product idea Attend our SBIR 101 Workshop ↗ Create a business or get a business license ↗ Schedule a consultation with Nucleus Grow ↗ Start your free SAM. gov registration ↗ Book a Grow consultation ↗ Frequently asked questions Answers to common questions about Grow, SBIR/STTR, eligibility, and the application process.

How much do Grow services cost? Consultations, editing and guidance are available at no cost to Utah businesses. Events, including workshops and seminars, may have nominal fees.

What are the SBIR and STTR programs? SBIR and STTR grants and contracts support small-business research and development, helping companies test ideas and advance technologies toward commercialization. Participating federal agencies publish research topics, application requirements and award terms.

Grow can help you identify the opportunities that fit your technology. How much funding is available and what can it be used for? This non-dilutive funding is offered in competitive phases: Phase I typically offers $150,000 to $250,000 for a six-month project to prove the feasibility and technical merit of your idea or technology.

Phase II typically offers $1 to $1. 5 million for a 24-month project and is meant to expand the Phase I results and evaluate commercial potential. Phase III takes place as the technology moves from the laboratory to the marketplace.

While SBIR-STTR funds do not support this phase, some agencies offer sole-source contracts or follow-on non-SBIR funded research and development to help the small business commercialize a product. What does that company 'give up' to get these funds? SBIR/STTR awards do not require an equity investment in your company.

Intellectual-property rights, reporting obligations and other conditions depend on the award. Review the agency’s terms with Grow before applying; visit SBIR. gov for program guidance.

What agencies participate? Agency participation and open solicitations can change. Check SBIR.

gov and the relevant agency’s current announcement before planning a submission. You can search for open topics at Open Topic Search ↗ . For links and guidance on SBIR /STTR funding, you can go to SBIR.

gov ↗ or any of the individual agencies participating in the programs: Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Department of Defense (DoD) Department of Education (DoED) Department of Energy (DOE) Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Department of Transportation (DOT) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) National Science Foundation (NSF) Who is eligible for SBIR-STTR funding?

Utah businesses pursuing SBIR/STTR opportunities can work with Nucleus Grow. Confirm federal eligibility against the current solicitation; common requirements include: At least 51% owned by individuals Who is eligible to work with Nucleus Grow? The company must be headquartered in Utah.

And be registered with Utah’s Division of Corporations* or will be upon SBIR/STTR submission. *Can be incorporated in another state and registered as a foreign LLC with Utah’s Division of Corporations and Commercial Code Why work with Nucleus Grow? Grow offers agency-specific task lists, templates, proposal reviews, editing and guidance.

Consultations and proposal support are available at no cost to Utah businesses. What is the UTIF program? The Utah Technology Innovation Fund is a program sponsored by the State of Utah offering to eligible Utah Small Businesses a microgrant ($3,000-$5,000) for first-time SBIR/STTR Phase I applicants, and a Nonrecourse Loan ($50,000-$60,000) to SBIR/STTR Phase II applicants.

For more information about the UTIF program and how to apply, please see our UTIF page ↗ . Is my technology a good fit for the SBIR/STTR program? The proposed technology must be in the early stages of research and development (experimental and untested technology), not yet commercialized, and directly address a “topic” from one of the participating federal agencies.

Depending on the federal agency, a “topic” may reference a broad mission or a specific problem to solve. Applicants are invited to propose and develop a new technology that directly addresses the topic. Contact grow@nucleusutah.

org to assess if your proposed technology is a good fit under the SBIR/STTR program. Recent program updates, funding news, and stories from Utah’s innovation ecosystem. May 2026 SBIR/STTR Solicitations Since Reauthorization in April, five federal agencies have listed solicitations for the SBIR/STTR programs.

2026 Utah Governor's Science Medals Award Ceremony The 2026 Recipients of the Utah Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology received their awards at a ceremony held April 29th at the State Capitol. The Nucleus Institute Announces Convergence Point: Utah's First Innovation Campus Economic infrastructure facility at The Point in Draper will unite universities, industry, government, and global innovation partners under one roof by 2029.

Utah's Terrestrial LLC Secures Navy SBIR Award Utah-based Terrestrial LLC secures a U.S. Navy SBIR award, advancing cutting-edge defense technology and strengthening the state’s innovation ecosystem.

Redefining Male Fertility: Inside Inherent Biosciences’ Growth Utah-based Inherent Biosciences is advancing male fertility care with breakthrough epigenetic diagnostics that help identify hidden infertility factors and guide more effective paths to parenthood. Utah-based InnoSys Receives AFWERX Manufacturing Challenge Award InnoSys, Inc. was awarded a Direct to Phase II contract for $1.

75M through the AFWERX and SpaceWERX Manufacturing Challenge. Expand access to SBIR/STTR support. Nucleus Grow is the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership awardee for the state of Utah.

Administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), FAST funds state and regional organizations to boost SBIR/STTR proposals and awards. FAST awards strengthen the SBIR/STTR ecosystem by: Offering training and outreach Collaborating with partner organizations Providing technical and business assistance Offering financial support Innovation moves fast. Stay ahead.

Utah Technology Innovation Fund The Utah Technology Innovation Fund (UTIF) supports eligible Utah small businesses pursuing federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards. Support for Utah SBIR/STTR applicants and winners. Eligible Phase I applicants may seek microgrants to offset the costs of submitting a competitive SBIR/STTR proposal.

Applicants may receive $3,000 (up to $5,000 for rural businesses) after the successful submission of a Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal. Eligible Phase I winners may seek nonrecourse loans to help bridge the gap between Phase I and Phase II SBIR/STTR R&D efforts. Applicants may receive $50,000 in gap funding (up to $60,000 for rural businesses) after the successful submission of a Phase II SBIR/STTR proposal.

Frequently asked questions What are the SBIR and STTR programs? The SBIR and STTR programs are America’s Seed Fund. These highly competitive federal programs fund small business research and development of innovative technology with the potential for commercialization.

Attend the free, monthly SBIR 101 Workshop to learn more about SBIR/STTR. Can I apply before identifying an SBIR/STTR solicitation? To qualify for the UTIF program, you must specify an eligible and open SBIR or STTR solicitation within your UTIF application.

Please wait to apply to UTIF until you've identified the SBIR or STTR solicitation you plan to pursue. Will the submission system accept multiple attachments, or should I upload them as a merged document or zip file? Upload each document separately; do not merge them into a single file or zip file.

The office portal accepts multiple attachments. When are UTIF applications due? UTIF applications should be submitted via the submission portal at least four weeks before the related SBIR/STTR submission deadline.

We recently submitted a Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal. Are we eligible for the microgrant? Phase I awardees cannot request a microgrant for a previous submission.

However, if the company submits another Phase I proposal, you could be eligible for the microgrant if the company has not been awarded a Phase I award within the last five years and is working with Nucleus Grow. There is a limit of one microgrant per company. Are Phase II awardees eligible to apply for a nonrecourse loan?

Phase II awardees cannot request a nonrecourse loan for a previous submission and/or award. However, you may be eligible to apply for a nonrecourse loan if your business received a SBIR/STTR Phase I award and is planning to submit a corresponding Phase II proposal with the assistance of Nucleus Grow. There is a limit of two nonrecourse loans per company.

Do I need a business license? Although a business license is not required under the UTIF program, your company may be required to obtain one depending on your local jurisdiction. A valid business registration with the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code is required under the UTIF program.

For business guidance and available resources, please visit the Startup State Initiative website at startup. utah. gov .

What business registrations are needed under the UTIF program? To qualify for UTIF, you must complete the following registrations prior to submitting your UTIF funding application: Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code Is UTIF competitive funding? UTIF support is subject to program eligibility and available funding.

Review the current program announcement and confirm availability with Grow before applying. How to submit a UTIF application Identify an eligible, open SBIR/STTR opportunity and its submission deadline. Contact Nucleus Grow to discuss eligibility and allow at least four weeks before the federal deadline.

Gather the required registrations and documents. If you need portal access, ask Grow for the current account setup instructions. Submit your UTIF application through the state portal and obtain Grow’s pre-approval before submitting the federal proposal.

Open the UTIF application portal ↗ For access or application questions, email grow@nucleusutah. org . Funding depends on eligibility and availability; review the current program announcement before applying.

Read the application guide ↗ Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology Nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology are closed. Check back for 2027 nomination information. Recognizing science and technology achievement since 1987.

Since 1987, the Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology has recognized the distinguished service, significant achievements, and positive economic impact of individuals and companies to the state of Utah and beyond in science and technology. Medal recipients provide meaningful scientific, research, STEM education, or deep technology contributions.

Nominations are accepted in one of three categories: Industry – Individual or Company Nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology are closed. Check back for 2027 nomination information. The Office of the Governor and The Nucleus Institute administer the medal collaboratively.

A volunteer committee reviews nominations, and recipients are recognized annually. Considerations by category. Selection considers a nominee’s overall contribution to Utah through science and technology, including achievements in research, education, industry and economic development.

The criteria below describe considerations for each category.

Nomination categories include: Industry – Individual or Company For members of the faculty or administration of higher education institutions who distinguished themselves in the field of science, engineering, or other technologies, these additional factors should be considered: Quality of research activities The extent of recognition by peers Recognition as an educator Personal research and science achievements For science teachers in Utah’s elementary and secondary schools, science communicators, and other individuals who made notable contributions to science education, these additional factors should be considered: Degree of national or local recognition as a science educator Involvement in innovative science education activities outside of the classroom Other awards received in recognition of teaching achievements Personal research and science achievements Industry – Individual or Company For the individual categories (engineers, scientists, technologists, and technology managers within Utah’s industry) and the company category, these additional factors should be considered: Quality of scientific or engineering achievement Significance of technical contributions, including patents, know-how, and other intellectual property The economic impact on Utah Distinguished achievements in the management of technology For additional information, please contact grow@nucleusutah.

org . Academic/Research — D. Kip Solomon, PhD Kip Solomon is an internationally recognized and distinguished hydrologist who has pioneered novel methods to understand one of the most precious resources on our planet: water.

Currently the Francis Brown Endowed Chair in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Utah, Solomon’s long career exemplifies excellence in research, in the classroom, supervision of graduate students, leadership, service, his profession, and the world at large. He has developed innovative methods for determining groundwater age and invented water sampling technologies used internationally.

His contributions advance the understanding of the water cycle and the vulnerability of resources to over-exploitation. Additionally, his expertise in addressing industrial water contamination benefits communities worldwide. The UN International Atomic Energy Agency frequently consults him for field studies on water use in developing nations.

Solomon’s research includes the use of environmental tracers to evaluate groundwater flow and solute transport processes in local- to regional-scale aquifers. He has helped develop the use of dissolved gases to evaluate groundwater ages, travel times, location, and rates of recharge, and the sustainability of groundwater resources. He operates one of only a few labs in the world that measure noble gases in groundwater.

Solomon holds a Ph. D. in Earth Sciences from the University of Waterloo and holds degrees in Geology and Geological Engineering from the University of Utah.

K-12 Education — Teresa Hislop Teresa Hislop is a 30-year educator recognized by her colleagues as the most inspiring and committed educator, who invests her heart and soul in STEM education. Described as a master educator, Hislop’s commitment to experiential STEM learning extends far beyond the classroom. She organizes immersive field experiences that bring science to life in unforgettable ways.

On a trip to the Oregon Coast, middle schoolers conduct field studies, explore tide pools, and work in professional science facilities. In Newport, they dissect squid in a working science classroom and collaborate in hands-on investigations and robotics work. Students who might never otherwise have seen the ocean become marine biologists for a week.

Beyond her classroom, Hislop is a generous colleague and mentor. She shares resources freely, supports interdisciplinary collaboration, and serves as a beacon of light within the school community. Her enthusiasm is infectious, her standards are rigorous, and her dedication is unwavering.

Hislop currently teaches 8th-grade science at the Ogden Preparatory Academy and has been recognized by peers with several awards, including the Air Force Association State Teacher of the Year, Utah State Board of Education Teacher of the Year Runner-up, and the Utah Ag in the Classroom Teacher of the Year. Hislop received degrees from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah.

Industry — Jennifer Hwu, PhD Jennifer Hwu has pushed the boundaries of high-frequency power amplifiers for space, telecommunications, aerospace, avionics, and terrestrial applications, and is a pioneer in extreme environment electronics.

As co-founder, president, and CEO of InnoSys, Inc., she has successfully led numerous research and development projects for the Department of Defense/War, Department of Energy, NASA and other agencies, resulting in products that are designed and manufactured at InnoSys’s facility in Salt Lake City.

She has mentored and taught numerous STEM employees and students and is a role model, both at her company and as a former tenured professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Utah.

Hwu’s economic impact includes bringing private funding and highly competitive grants and contracts to Utah and building a 36,500 square foot combined office, R&D, manufacturing, and testing facilities in Salt Lake City, directly employing and supporting a significant number of technical staff.

These have influenced and greatly shaped her unwavering desire to help others and to advance Utah and the U.S. She received her PhD from the University of California, Los Angeles, in Electrical Engineering. Government — Jed Hancock, Ph Jed Hancock is the president of the Utah State University (USU) Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), one of only 15 University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) in the nation.

His background in electrical engineering and optical science, and his ability to lead people and complex organizations, have resulted in achievements that have advanced science, strengthened national defense, and elevated Utah’s reputation on the global stage.

Under his leadership, SDL developed the camera suite for NASA’s Origins Spectral Interpretation Resource Identification and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission, the first U.S. mission to return samples from an asteroid to Earth. Hancock played a key role in securing an Air Force Research Laboratory contract with a potential value of up to one billion dollars.

Since 2021, SDL has grown from approximately 800 employees to more than 1,300 today, with revenues increasing to over $354 million in 2025. This growth has created high-quality jobs, strengthened Utah’s workforce, and expanded the state’s role in advanced aerospace and defense research. He received his PhD in Optical Sciences from the University of Arizona.

We congratulate these awardees for their dedication, passion, and commitment to science and technology and look forward to their continued impact on our community and the world. Academic/Research — Dr. M. Denise Dearing Dr. Dearing is a renowned ecologist whose pioneering research has advanced the field of ecology and helped position Utah as a leader in scientific innovation.

She embodies the highest standards of excellence, educational leadership, and service to Utah’s values. As the inaugural associate dean for research for the College of Science and later chair of the Department of Biology at the University of Utah, her leadership and vision have been instrumental in transforming the department into the School of Biological Sciences.

Some of her many honors include the Distinguished Scholarly and Creative Research Award, the C. Hart Merriam Award, and being named a distinguished professor by the University of Utah. Dearing has published more than 180 peer-reviewed publications with over 11,500 citations and has received extensive external funding to support her research projects.

Her contributions continue to inspire students, peers, and future generations of scientists. Industry — Mr. Sidney J. Green Sidney Green is an engineer and entrepreneur who helped shape Utah’s high-tech industry.

As founder, president, and CEO of TerraTek, he positioned Utah as a leader in geomechanics analysis, sparking economic growth that led to the development of other technology companies across the state. Green has played a pivotal role in advancing science and engineering in Utah. He advised the governor and Legislature as a member of the Utah Science Council and was the founding chair of the Utah Technology Finance Corporation.

In 1994, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering — one of only 15 members from Utah to serve in this capacity. He holds 24 patents, has published 119 peer-reviewed papers, and is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking technical achievements. K-12 Education — Dr. Nicola Hack Dr. Hack started her career in education after earning a Ph.

D. in developmental neurobiology and working as a research scientist. Realizing a need for early STEM education, she collaborated with fellow experts to launch a science-focused charter school.

Her commitment to interdisciplinary, science-based learning continues to shape students’ educational journeys. Over the years, Hack’s visionary leadership has created impactful opportunities for students to excel while supporting future educators and leaders. Her leadership, unwavering commitment to equitable STEM education, ability to develop teacher capacity, and transformative impact on students exemplify excellence in education.

Juliette Bautista Barahona, Founder and Director, Club Ability Juliette Bautista is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment. As the founder and director of Club Ability, she instituted a transformative approach to teaching technology. She began her journey working with children with disabilities.

From there, Club Ability expanded to fill a void in providing STEM education to girls and women and their families, especially those in Hispanic families that are sorely underrepresented in the field, where Latinos make up only 7% of Utah tech jobs despite being 15% of the Utah population. She has served nearly 1,000 K-12 students, primarily from low-income families.

Since Club Ability’s 2019 inception, the educational programs have served a Utah population that’s 93% low-income, 98% Latinx, and 20% have a disability. Cornelia Ulrich, Ph. D.

, M. S. , Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Director of the Comprehensive Cancer Center, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah Dr. Cornelia Ulrich is an internationally recognized cancer epidemiologist/cancer prevention scientist and an accomplished leader.

She is the chief scientific officer and the executive director of the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and the Jon and Karen Huntsman Presidential Professor in Cancer Research in Population Health Sciences at the University of Utah. Dr. Ulrich’s research focuses on lifestyle and biological factors in cancer prevention and prognosis.

Throughout her career, she has committed herself to developing and leading organizations, multidisciplinary teams, and international consortia that seek to advance scientific discovery focused on cancer prevention in critical areas. Her leadership of HCI has led to its growing impact on cancer prevention, care, and control in Utah and beyond. Gregory C.

Critchfield, M. D. , M.

S. , EarlyDiagnostics, Inc., Sera Prognostics, Inc., Myriad Genetics, Inc. Dr. Critchfield is a successful business executive.

In 1995, he became senior vice president and chief medical and science officer of Corning Clinical Laboratories/Quest Diagnostics, responsible for science, medicine, and innovation across the U.S. In 1998, he became president of Myriad Genetic Laboratories, building Myriad into one of the world’s leading molecular diagnostics companies, launching seven molecular diagnostic products, and contributing to numerous related publications.

Appointed to the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Science and Technology by Gov. Michael Leavitt, Dr. Critchfield became chair in 2006-07 during the term of Gov. Jon Huntsman. In 2010, he joined the board of Sera Prognostics, and in 2011, he became chair and CEO. His team discovered proteomic biomarker predictors of pregnancy outcomes, generating multiple U.S. and international patents.

Dr. Critchfield currently serves as co-CEO of EarlyDiagnostics, Inc., a leading biotech diagnostics company devoted to providing accurate, affordable, and noninvasive tests for early cancer detection and precision medicine. Dr. Critchfield has decades of experience as an author, patent-holder, and business executive in private and public companies.

He and his teams have made significant contributions to the health of women, newborns, and underserved populations. Lora Gibbons, Educator, Mountain Heights Academy Lora Gibbons knows students are our future and inspires