The Daily Record News Briefs: September 23, 2008

Daily Record, The (Baltimore), Sep 23, 2008

JHU's Fessler to retire

The Johns Hopkins University announced that Ralph Fessler, the inaugural dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Education and a state and national leader in teacher education, will retire at the end of the 2008-2009 academic year. Fessler joined the university faculty in 1983, serving as professor and director of the Graduate Division of Education and, beginning in 1999, as dean of the School of Professional Studies in Business and Education. That school was divided in January 2007 to create the School of Education and the Carey Business School.

'Genius grant' winners picked

Chimamanda Adichie, of Columbia, and Adam Riess, of Baltimore, are among 25 recipients of this year's MacArthur Foundation "genius grants." The five-year $500,000 fellowships were announced Tuesday by the Chicago-based John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Recipients may use the money however they wish, without any conditions attached. Adichie, 31, a fiction writer, uses events inspired by her native Nigeria to explore ethnic conflict in novels and stories. Riess, 38, a professor of astronomy and physics at the Johns Hopkins University and a senior member of the science staff at the Space Telescope Science Institute, designs experiments and creates devices to explain the geometry of the universe.

TAP startup is finalist

The University of Maryland, College Park, announced that TRX Systems Inc., a startup company housed at the University of Maryland Technology Advancement Program (TAP) venture incubator, has been selected as a finalist in the Global Security Challenge 2008 worldwide competition, which is held to select the most promising security technology startups in the world. TRX, founded by a faculty member at the A. James Clark School of Engineering, is one of six finalists that will compete for a $500,000 grand prize at the London Business School on Nov. 13. TRX is a provider of personnel tracking products, including an advanced personal tracking system for first responders.

Chindex's big China project

Chindex International Inc., of Bethesda, a provider of Western health care products distribution and services in China, said its Medical Products division has been awarded a contract as the main supplier for premium clinical application, whole body, color ultrasound systems to the People's Liberation Army hospital system in China. The contract calls for the PLA to purchase at least 17 Siemens ACUSON Sequoia ultrasound systems to be installed in PLA hospitals throughout China. Details of the agreement, including financial terms, were not disclosed.

TraumaCure gets European nod

TraumaCure Inc., a Bethesda-based company that holds the license to sell a blood-clotting product called WoundStat, announced that WoundStat has received CE Mark approval, a certification by the European Union that the product has met EU health, safety and environmental requirements. The approval clears the way for sales in the European Union and all countries recognizing the CE Mark. WoundStat, which was created by Virginia Commonwealth University scientists, is a hemostatic agent for control of bleeding in high- pressure arterial wounds, which are a common combat injury. The product has already received the approval of the Food and Drug Administration.

RWD opens Bogota office

RWD Technologies LLC, of Baltimore, a provider of products and services in areas of training, consulting and organizational performance, announced that it has opened an office in Bogota, Colombia, its 18th office overseas and its 30th overall. The company said the branch opened with 10 professional employees, and it intends to hire at least five more within the next year to service all of Central and South America, focused on oil and gas, refining and chemical companies.

Housing applications sought

The Howard County Department of Housing and Community Development said it will begin on Oct. 1 to take applications for the October enrollment period for the county's moderate-income housing unit program. The MIHU program is an inclusionary zoning program that requires developers of new housing in certain zoning districts to sell or rent some of the new dwelling units to households of moderate income. The program offers quality new homes at reduced prices and rents to income-eligible families. The application deadline is Oct. 31.

Chamber selects two for honor

The Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce announced that Robert Barnhill Jr., founder and CEO of TESSCO Technologies Inc. in Hunt Valley, and Lynne Brick, co-founder and president of Timonium-based Brick Bodies health and fitness clubs, will be inducted into its Business Hall of Fame on Nov. 20 at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn. The long-standing awards program recognizes business leaders whose professional careers and civic commitment have enhanced Baltimore County's quality of life. Barnhill and Brick were selected for their leadership roles in the fields of wireless technology, and health and wellness, respectively.