As crowds line up to experience Harry Potter's Wizarding World at Universal Studios this summer, your Metro Orlando EDC is also touting the "magic" of innovation, ingenious minds, scientific research and the sheer benefits of doing business in our region. Here's a peek at some of the information we're sharing with media contacts worldwide:
There's a lot of wizardry that goes on in Central Florida, and it's not just happening within the community's acclaimed theme parks. Orlando's reputation for innovation has spilled over, like a vat of potions, into multiple industries located here. And, ingenious and innovative minds are brewing up real spell-binding solutions for things like diabetes and obesity, immersive training for soldiers and doctors, and digital theatre distribution.
Let us introduce you to a few of our most distinguished wizards:
- Dr. Randall Shumaker - Simulation wizard and IST 'headmaster', Shumaker is the director of the University of Central Florida's Institute for Simulation and Training (IST), where next-generation simulation systems are concocted for multiple industries, including the military, medical profession, education, transportation and more.
- Dr. Henry Daniell - Orlando's own Professor Sprout is transforming lettuce into a cure for diabetes. This professor and microbiologist at UCF's new College of Medicine has also pioneered an anthrax vaccine from tobacco leaves.
- Dr. Daniel Kelly - Acclaimed national scientist and researcher who's tackling diabetes and obesity from our region's newest Hogwarts Castle - the Sanford-Burnham Institute for Medical Research at Lake Nona - where spell-binding science is only just beginning.
- Dr. Vipul Patel - Orlando's 'Mr. Roboto', one of the world's acclaimed robotic surgeons, has performed more robotic prostatectomies than anyone else in the world. Dr. Patel hangs his wizard hat at the Florida Hospital Global Robotic Institute.
- Mary Spio - Like Potter's Professor McGonagall, Spio is a transfiguration specialist. Among many marvels, at 29 years old she engineered the technology that today delivers movies digitally to big screens worldwide. Recently the Vidaroo co-founder was recognized by NBC News and TheGrio as one of the "100 History Makers in the Making."
For more detail, interviews, b-roll and photography, interested media can contact the EDC's public relations team.
