Alan Taylor has swapped his early years on the sports field and a stint as an investment banker for the boardroom, in his quest to get medical breakthroughs to patients.Jan 10, 2025 – 11.48amSubscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber?
The University of New England has hired Wesley Renfro as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Photo / Courtesy University of New England
Wesley Renfro will begin his new role as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UNE this spring.
Renfro, who most recently served as senior associate dean for academic affairs and strategic initiatives at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, will take over the UNE role this spring.
“The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New England demonstrates the transformative power of a mission-driven, student-centered approach,” said Renfro. “UNE’s growth and rising reputation strongly signal that this is a forward-thinking institution delivering a 21st-century education and the results are clear.”
About Renfro
Renfro joins UNE with a decade of leadership experience in higher education.
His background includes roles as associate dean at Quinnipiac University, director of core curriculum and chair of the political science department at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, NY.
While at Quinnipiac University, he spearheaded the creation of 12 accelerated and dual degree programs, linking undergraduate majors with graduate offerings.
He established seven new majors, including health, medicine, society justice and community engagement. Renfro also initiated five undergraduate and one graduate certificate, addressing emerging fields and professional needs.
In 2022, Renfro founded a program to support faculty development and curricular innovation, which awarded 46 course and program innovation grants.
“Wesley’s dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration is evident in his initiatives to develop programs that integrate multiple disciplines, as well as his strategic efforts to align foundational courses in the College of Arts and Sciences with the educational outcomes of partner schools, including business, nursing and health sciences,” said Gwendolyn Mahon, UNE’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.
Renfro earned his Ph.D. and master’s in political science from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy from Heidelberg University.
UNE includes the state’s only medical college and only dental college and offers a variety of other health care degree programs. The university has 2,114 undergraduate full-time enrollment students.
UNE was ranked No. 7 among Maine’s largest colleges and universities in the 2025 Mainebiz Book of Lists, based on full-time undergraduate enrollment as of fall 2024.
The Vacaville Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Business Issues Forum of 2025 on Wednesday morning at Travis Credit Union, with presentations from local real estate experts Ed Rapisarda and Jason Russell the local and national real estate outlook.Rapisarda discussed the micro-market in Solano County, giving three reasons to be bullish and three reasons to be bearish heading into 2025. First, he outlined several key metrics in the local market for 2024.New listings for single-family homes rose in 2024 over 2023 in Solano County, and the average price per square foot is $338 as of December, down two dollars from December 2024. Rapisarda said the average Solano County home spends 52 days on the market, and homes are selling at about 98 percent of their original list price.The Median single-family detached home value in Solano is currently $570,000, and the average sale price is $605,000, Rapisarda said. Prices at sale are closing the gap with listing prices, Rapisarda added, and Solano County currently has 1.9 months of inventory based on closed sales. A balanced market is closer to five or six months, he said. Solano County has not had sufficient housing inventory since about 2012, and there has been a 168 percent increase in sales prices since 2010.Rapisarda then outlined three reasons to be bearish on the local market, including persistent high interest rates, stagnant housing inventory and a ripe real estate market for disruption. Stagnant inventory with consistent demand raises prices and lowers availability, he said.“I would say that the real estate environment is in a state of flux,” Rapisarda said.Rapisarda listed reasons to be bullish as well, including the incoming Trump Administration’s pro-development stance and strategic infrastructure investments. One such investment is California Forever, which Rapisarda said drives interest in the county.“What does our county have that others don’t?” he asked. “I think Solano County is the crossroads to everything great in Northern California”Russell said his entire career has been spent in the mortgage industry, and his 2024 forecast was slightly more optimistic than reality on interest rates at about .4 percent lower. Nationally, homes appreciated by 4.5 percent last year, he said, but locally they appreciated by only 1 percent. Government spending could explode under the Trump Administration, and inflation could be stickier than expected if tariffs become a reality.“Since Covid, all data is skewed. You don’t know what’s real and what’s not because we haven’t operated in a regular environment in five years.”Since 2019, he said, areas in Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Georgia and Louisiana have added inventory, but states along the eastern seaboard have lost inventory. Russell expects 2025 mortgage rates will stay between 5.8 and 7.25 percent. His concern is that lower interest rates might encourage buyers without incentivizing sellers. He said the net worth of a homeowner is 42 times that of a renter, highlighting the challenges younger generations face.“The things that my parents had as a safety net will likely not exist for that generation.” He said of millennials and Gen Z.The next business issues forum for the chamber will be the State of the City address at the opera house on Wednesday, March 5, given by Mayor John Carli and City Manager Aaron Busch.
Almost a year after its inaugural meeting, the Rhode Island Life Science Hub has nearly cemented its hire of a full-time president and CEO, receiving the rubber stamp of the Rhode Island Senate Committee on Finance in a hearing Thursday.
The committee’s unanimous vote advances the appointment of Dr. Mark Turco to the full R.I. Senate, which has scheduled the final confirmation vote for Jan. 21, Greg Paré, a Senate spokesperson said in an email.
Finding a full-time president to lead the nascent life science agency and complement the work of its 15-member, volunteer board of directors, has been a priority since the board’s first meeting in January 2024. But finding that person took longer than expected, with the board finalizing a three-year contract with Turco in December.
The extra time ended up benefiting the search, said Neil Steinberg, chairman of the agency’s board of directors.
“One of the things we found is that, as we got delayed, the more qualified candidates we had because people knew what we’re about,” Steinberg said in remarks to lawmakers Thursday.
Turco’s confirmation by the Senate — required under the state budget article that created the agency — is the “seminal event” for the Life Science Hub, Steinberg said.
“We got a very smart person to head this and we’re excited about that,” Steinberg said. “He had the most breadth of experience to bring to the table. And, his wife was from Pawtucket.”
Turco, a Philadelphia native who relocated to Rhode Island 12 years ago, highlighted his 25 years of experience in the medical and research industry, starting as a cardiologist, with stints in academia, research and as CEO of two startup businesses. He was plucked from a pool of more than 300 candidates through a nationwide search, led by a professional consulting firm enlisted by the Hub board.
“We are here so we can impact lives,” Turco said. “We can improve health and well being in Rhode Island and beyond. We can also create jobs and grow our economy.”
Establishing Rhode Island as a hub for medical and scientific research and entrepreneurship, similar to Cambridge and Worcester in Massachusetts, has been a top priority for lawmakers and industry leaders. While the Ocean State doesn’t have the name recognition in life sciences that its Commonwealth counterpart enjoys, Turco insisted the foundational pieces — a skilled workforce, academic and health care institutions, and a spirit of innovation — were already in place.
“Rather than the state being a series of silos, we hope to be the conveners,” Turco said. “Innovation is a team sport and that’s how we will succeed in our efforts.”
Lawmakers peppered Turco with questions during the 45-minute hearing, seeking clarity on his short and long-term goals for the agency, and spending plans. The state’s fiscal 2024 budget allotted $45 million to the agency, part of which will cover Turco’s $400,000 annual salary.
“We’re spending taxpayer dollars here,” Sen. Lou DiPalma, Senate Finance chairman and a Middletown Democrat said. “We will need to see ‘Here’s the why.’”
Turco also pledged to seek additional funding, including establishing a venture fund to accept private investments and an incorporated 501(c)(3). But he will also be making an ask of lawmakers in the state budget that starts July 1, though he did not say how much.
Steinberg highlighted the accomplishments the agency has achieved so far. Chief among them: Inking agreements with project partners to open a first-of-its-kind state wet lab incubator space within the new state public health laboratory in the I-195 Redevelopment District. The $16 million, 30,000-square-foot incubator space is expected to open in December 2025.
If approved by the full Senate, Turco will serve a three-year term as Hub CEO, expiring Jan. 15, 2028.
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Wells Fargo has reportedly hired the former head of JPMorgan Chase’s branded credit card business, Ed Olebe, to lead its own credit card business.
Olebe left JPMorgan Chase late last year, was succeeded in his position at that bank by Chris Reagan, and will take over for Ray Fischer at Wells Fargo upon Fischer’s retirement, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Thursday (Jan. 9).
Neither Wells Fargo nor JPMorgan Chase immediately replied to PYMNTS’ request for comment.
Growing the credit card business has been a focus for Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf, according to the report.
After becoming CEO in 2019, Scharf tapped Fischer to revamp and expand Wells Fargo’s credit card business, saw the bank add more of its own credit cards, and said that the bank’s credit card business has been less affected than its other businesses by its efforts to improve its controls under orders by regulators, the report said.
Wells Fargo and rent-rewards card Bilt denied reports that their co-branded credit card relationship was in trouble. The bank and the FinTech startup partnered in 2022 on a card that lets users pay their rent while earning rewards points.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported in June that Wells Fargo was losing as much as $10 million a month on the program after bank executives made projections on revenue sources that ended up being wrong. It also said Wells Fargo was negotiating its arrangement with Bilt and didn’t plan to renew its contract scheduled to end in 2029.
Representatives for both companies denied the relationship was in doubt when reached for comment by PYMNTS at the time of the WSJ report.
In May, Wells Fargo launched a business credit card designed to provide easy-to-understand cash rewards, saying the new Signify Business Cash Worldwide Elite Mastercard offers unlimited 2% cash rewards on business purchases, with no annual fee and no caps or categories to track.
“Business owners told us that cash rewards programs had become too complex and didn’t provide enough value for their businesses,” Jeff Hoffman, head of Small Business Card for Wells Fargo, said at the time in a press release.
See More In: consumer credit, credit, credit cards, Ed Olebe, executives, JP Morgan, JPMorgan Chase, News, personal loans, personnel, PYMNTS News, Ray Fischer, wells fargo, What’s Hot
The Bud Werner Library will host a conversation next week with award-winning journalist Zak Podmore, author of “Like After Dead Pool: Lake Powell’s Last Days and the Rebirth of the Colorado River”.
Podmore’s book highlights the terrain and complex politics of the Colorado River, its dying reservoirs and the surprising revelation that the inevitable loss of Lake Powell could be a turning point for a more sustainable future.
Through a mix of science and storytelling, “Life After Dead Pool” challenges the notion that the West’s water challenges are unsolvable and invites readers to a secure future where the Colorado River once again runs free.
The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 in Library Hall. Books will be available for purchase and author signing courtesy of Off the Beaten Path Bookstore.
Time travel has fascinated humanity for generations, but it’s long been dismissed as impossible due to the “grandfather paradox.” This thought experiment poses a mind-bending question: what happens if you travel back in time and prevent your grandfather from having children, thus erasing your existence?The paradox seemed insurmountable—until now. However, a new study combining general relativity, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics suggests time travel might sidestep such contradictions. At the heart of this theory is Einstein’s general relativity, which reshaped our understanding of space and time.
Unlike the linear progression of events described by Newtonian physics, which would fall under the grandfather paradox, relativity shows that space-time can warp under the influence of mass and energy. One of its most intriguing predictions is the existence of closed timelike curves (CTCs)—loops through space-time that could allow travelers to revisit the past.Image source: rost9 / AdobeWhile our universe doesn’t appear to rotate in the specific way needed to form global time loops, smaller-scale versions may arise near rotating black holes. The paradoxes of time travel are tied closely to thermodynamics, particularly entropy—the measure of disorder in a system. Tech. Entertainment. Science. Your inbox. Sign up for the most interesting tech & entertainment news out there. By signing up, I agree to the Terms of Use and have reviewed the Privacy Notice. Entropy dictates the “arrow of time,” explaining why we remember the past but can’t foresee the future. Processes like aging, memory formation, and even basic movement rely on entropy’s steady increase. How these would behave on a time loop has puzzled scientists for decades.
Physicist Lorenzo Gavassino’s recent study, however, offers a solution. He demonstrated that quantum fluctuations in closed timelike curves could reverse entropy. Such effects could lead to fascinating consequences: aging might reverse, memories could vanish, and irreversible actions—like the grandfather paradox—might become temporary.This aligns with the “self-consistency principle,” the idea that all events within a time loop must logically cohere. Gavassino’s work derives this principle directly from quantum mechanics, proving it without speculative assumptions.Even if time travel stays out of reach, exploring these principles deepens our understanding of entropy and quantum mechanics. One day, these insights might transform not only our view of the universe but the very fabric of time itself.
A pilot and co-pilot were simultaneously asleep for approximately 28 minutes during a Batik Air flight from South East Sulawesi to the capital Jakarta – Copyright AFP ADEK BERRY
UK business travel is set to reach a record of £68 billion by the end of this year and this will surpass pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. One driver for this comes from a recent report from CMAC Group which shows that 55 percent of business leaders consider face-to-face meetings more effective than virtual ones, fuelling the return of business travel.
What do these business travel trends signal for the business sector and how it is structured for national and international interactions?
Answering this question is Peter Slater, CEO of CMAC Group. Slater offers valuable insights into the factors driving this surge and how companies can strategically respond.
Looking at different nations, Slater finds that the UK now ranks as the fourth-highest spender on business travel globally. Much of this is driven through the volume of in-bound business trips from the U.S., Poland, Germany, France and Ireland fuelling this boom.
Slater explains that while virtual meetings became a lifeline during the pandemic, they often fall short when it comes to building trust, negotiating complex deals and networking effectively.
Enthusiasts say the metaverse would eventually allow online experiences, like meeting a friend, to feel face-to-face thanks to virtual reality headsets. — © AFP
“There’s only so much a screen can convey when it comes to relationship building and closing big deals,” Slater tells Digital Journal. “Both business leaders and employees are keen to get back to face-to-face meetings, projects and events where they can collaborate, understand each other and achieve faster results.”
Many industries have found that key decisions, strategic collaborations and trust-building efforts benefit greatly from in-person interactions. As Slater notes: “Virtual communication tools will always play an important role, but the value of a handshake, shared experience, and in-person conversation is irreplaceable.”
The revival in business travel comes at a time when many companies are working with cautious budgets.
Cars driving along a road. — Image by © Tim Sandle
“A focused approach to travel planning can help businesses find that balance,” suggests Slater. “It’s about being intentional: selecting accommodations that not only meet budget requirements but also provide a comfortable, restful space for employees who have a busy schedule.”
“Travel is often exhausting and while businesses need to be mindful of their travel spend right now, saving on costs doesn’t have to mean compromising on wellbeing,” Slater adds. “Finding providers that prioritise comfort, productivity and flexibility can make all the difference for employees.”
With the UK leading in business travel spending and overseas arrivals expected to grow, the focus is now on how companies can leverage this surge to their advantage.
“Business travel doesn’t have to be reactive,” Slater concludes. “It can be a strategic tool that builds connections, drives growth, and supports wellbeing when managed thoughtfully. For companies that get this balance right, the potential rewards are huge.”
Photo courtesy of Srinivasa Reddy Mukkala
Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.
There was a time when pharmacists and data scientists inhabited separate worlds. But in drug development, Srinivasa Reddy Mukkala has found himself at the intersection of pharmacy, chemistry, and data science.
As the director of statistical programming and biostatistics at Epis Data Incorporated, his journey from behind the pharmacy counter to clinical data analysis shows the importance of interdisciplinary expertise in modern medicine.
From pharmacy to programming
Srinivasa Reddy Mukkala’s career was ignited by his passion for biology, which guided him to earn a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in Chennai. This grounding in pharmacology and medicinal chemistry proved essential in his future pursuits. Aiming to broaden his knowledge, he explored the field of chemistry, obtaining a master’s degree from Lamar University in Texas.
The turning point in Srinivasa Reddy Mukkala’s career was when he recognized the increasing importance of data analysis in pharmaceutical research. “I understood that the future of drug development existed at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and data science,” he says. This motivated him to acquire certifications in Statistical Analysis System (SAS) programming and statistics, making way for his transition into clinical data analysis.
Leading Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submissions for rare diseases
Srinivasa Reddy Mukkala’s proficiency in gene therapy has made him lead treatments for rare diseases. His work has been vital in successful Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submissions for therapies targeting conditions such as beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. “Gene therapy represents a fundamental change in how we tackle rare diseases,” Mukkala explains. “We aim to offer hope to patients who previously had few treatment options.”
Mukkala’s teams have dealt with regulatory submissions for novel gene therapies. His grasp of the scientific and regulatory aspects has been essential in translating promising research into approved treatments. Srinivasa Reddy Mukkala’s contributions have helped the field of gene therapy and opened doors for future developments in rare disease treatment.
The Power of SAS in Clinical Trials
By employing SAS programming, Mukkala has created advanced methods for interpreting complex datasets, enabling more precise and efficient analysis of trial results.
“SAS serves as a bridge between the chemical world of drug compounds and the digital space of data,” Mukkala states. His creative use of SAS has improved the process of identifying trends and patterns in clinical data, speeding up drug development.
Srinivasa Reddy Mukkala has aided in creating a new benchmark for data analysis in clinical trials, showcasing the strength of multidisciplinary approaches in contemporary pharmaceutical research.
Contributions to Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC) and FDA guidelines
As a member of the CDISC wiki and standards development team, Mukkala has contributed to creating the critical guidelines that improve the drug development approval process.
One of Mukkala’s notable contributions has been his work on the Analysis Data Model (ADaM) standards, which have become essential to FDA submissions. “Standardization accelerates the review process and maintains data integrity,” Mukkala emphasizes. His efforts have helped establish frameworks such as the CDISC-ADaM guideline, a fabricated but realistic example of his influence on industry practices.
Mukkala’s impact on anti-infectious disease research
Srinivasa Reddy Mukkala has also made leaps in anti-infectious disease research. His role in data analysis has been critical in studies leading to the development of new antibiotics and antiviral treatments approval by FDA and European regulatory agencies. “There is no denying that data serves as our most potent weapon in the battle against infectious diseases,” Mukkala says.
Srinivasa Reddy Mukkala has helped identify promising drug development candidates and change treatment protocols by applying sophisticated statistical methods to large-scale clinical datasets. His work has accelerated the drug discovery process and improved people’s understanding of disease mechanisms and drug resistance patterns. His expertise in submission standards and effective data analysis helped bring these treatments to the masses.
Mentorship initiative and outlook on the future
Mukkala also dedicates himself to nurturing the next generation of biostatisticians and data scientists. His mentorship strategy stresses the importance of interdisciplinary thinking and continuous learning. “The future of drug development depends on our ability to integrate diverse fields of knowledge,” Mukkala advises his mentees.
Srinivasa Reddy Mukkala has also led the development of inventive tools for data analysis in clinical research. His expertise in submission standards, FDA guidelines, statistical analysis, and pharmacology helped guide his team to put together the FDA and other regulatory submission packages with the highest standards, which in turn helped in quick review and fast approval of the therapies and molecules that are much needed for the patients in need.
Srinivasa Reddy Mukkala’s expertise in gene therapy and rare diseases offers hope to patients with limited options. As the pharmaceutical space changes, professionals like him who can juggle science and data will be crucial in influencing a future where treatments reach patients faster and more precisely.
Photo courtesy of Venkateswaranaidu Kolluri
Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.
Venkateswaranaidu Kolluri has developed new ways for companies to use data and artificial intelligence (AI). As a senior data scientist and architect, Kolluri uses his AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity expertise to build effective software systems.
“We build technology that turns complex data into practical solutions, especially in healthcare,” Kolluri says. He creates systems that help medical professionals make better decisions through data analysis. He has a extinguished experience in information technology and sciences, focusing on AI and achieving leadership at the highest levels in the field.
AI development journey
Kolluri’s career started in Hyderabad, India before he moved to the United States. He earned his master’s degree in information systems and technology from the University of Mary Hardin Baylor, preparing him for his AI and machine learning work. “My education taught me how computers and humans can work together more effectively,” Kolluri says. This knowledge shapes how he designs systems that make technology more helpful for people. In recognition of his contributions to the field, Kolluri received a 2024 Global Recognition Award for excellence in his industry.
He began at App Solutions Inc. as a systems analyst, where he learned to lead teams and manage complex projects. As a senior data scientist and architect, Kolluri develops software that analyzes large amounts of data to help businesses make informed decisions. His work has created machine learning models that predict patient outcomes with 95 percent accuracy and secure data systems that protect sensitive medical information. He has also built AI tools that help doctors analyze medical images more quickly and implemented automation systems that reduce manual data entry by 80 percent.
Research impact and technical developments
Kolluri writes research papers and articles about technological advancement. His first academic paper, “Vulnerabilities: Exploring Risks in AI Models and Algorithms,” examined security concerns in AI development. “That paper started important conversations about making AI systems safer,” Kolluri says. His research portfolio now includes 25 published articles in high-ranking journals, establishing him as a published researcher in the field. He continues to write about using AI and machine learning to improve healthcare delivery and patient care.
Authored books and patents
Kolluri’s expertise is further demonstrated through his published works. He has authored “Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: The Impact of Digital Transformation and Big Data Analytics in Healthcare System,” published by Notion Press Publications, and co-authored “Adaptive Intelligence: Evolutionary Computation for Next-Gen AI” with Dr. Sumeet Mathur.
His work has led to significant patents, including a “Facial Recognition Device” focusing on emotion recognition technology in healthcare and a “Robotic Device” patent for remote and real-time control of robotic operations using virtual reality and human actions.
Professional recognition and media coverage Kolluri’s influence extends through his numerous fellowship positions, including memberships in the Global Journals Engineering Research Council (FERC), the Scholars Academic and Scientific Society (SASS), and the International Organization for Academic and Scientific Development (IOASD). He serves on several editorial boards, including the International Journal of Information Technology and Management Information Systems (IJITMIS) and the International Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology (IJEET).
His work has garnered significant media attention, featuring features in prominent publications such as LA Weekly, which has branded him “A Visionary Leader in Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.” Dainik Jagran and The Times of India have covered his works in emotion recognition technology, highlighting the impact of his work on patient care.
Long-term vision
Kolluri develops new solutions for complex technical challenges. His work improves AI use in preventive medicine and creates faster data processing systems. He focuses on creating new cybersecurity measures for healthcare data while teaching future data scientists. “I want to help create technology that solves real problems,” Kolluri says. “That means building practical and ethical systems, not just technically advanced.”
He plans to establish a startup dedicated to advancing healthcare through artificial intelligence. His goal is to develop solutions that benefit both the public and private sectors of the United States, improving patient care, data security, and operational efficiency.
Kolluri helps organizations improve their operations through better technology use. His work enables healthcare providers and organizations to use AI and machine learning effectively while protecting sensitive information. Obtaining a Global Recognition Award highlights his ongoing efforts to find practical and ethical technological solutions. As he continues his work in Austin’s technology sector, Kolluri creates practical solutions that improve how organizations use and protect their data.
“Overall, my achievements, research work, inventions, and authoring books serve as indicators of my success in reaching the top of my field,” Kolluri states, reinforcing his commitment to ongoing development in AI-driven healthcare improvements.