What do a Connecticut assistant attorney general, a local traffic reporter/talk show host, a brewery owner, and the president and CEO of a biotechnology startup have in common?
They’re among the nine young UConn alums named to Connecticut Magazine’s 2015 “40 Under 40” list, which honors the state’s “best and brightest among Generation Next.”
The diverse roster includes artists, community leaders, entertainers, farmers, philanthropists, and more.
The named UConn alumni demonstrate “the caliber, depth, and breadth of what our alumni are doing out there,” says Montique Cotton Kelly, executive director of the UConn Alumni Association. “To have such representation across majors and disciplines is what UConn is all about. We couldn’t be more excited to see their names on this list.”
A Vision Visionary
On one end of the spectrum is Nicole Wagner ’07 (CLAS), ’13 Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow who completed both her undergraduate degree and Ph.D. at the University. Wagner is the president and CEO of LambdaVision, a biotechnology company founded through the UConn Ventures fund that is developing a protein-based retinal implant to cure certain types of blindness.
While earning her B.S. in molecular and cell biology, Wagner worked in the lab of Professor Robert Birge, with whom she founded the company in 2009. When she first joined Birge’s lab, Wagner says, she planned to become a medical doctor.
“When I got involved in the lab, my passions changed,” she says. “I started really enjoying the research part of things. The retinal implant project was a great opportunity to blend my interests in medicine, vision, and research.”
The founding of the company, which is part of UConn’s Technology Incubation Program, has not only allowed Wagner to pursue her passions, but also given her an opportunity to be a leader and learn more about the business end, she says.
With the completion of a recent “proof-of-concept” experiment and two new grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health, Wagner and her team are advancing toward their goal of restoring vision to patients.
As for the “40 Under 40” nod, it’s icing on the cake.
“It’s certainly very exciting, definitely a big surprise to me,” Wagner says. “I’m honored to be on the list. It’s a good feeling for sure.”
Entrepreneur with a Plan
Conor Horrigan ’11 MBA has said it before and he’ll say it again: “UConn’s paw prints are all over” his company, Half Full Brewery in Stamford.
After leaving a high-paying job on Wall Street to follow his dreams, Horrigan enrolled at UConn and, working closely with professors in the MBA program, created the business plan and strategy that helped him win the seed money for the brewery and that his company still uses today.
Horrigan, whose company is as much about the story as it is about the beer, said he appreciates that the “40 Under 40” list recognizes those who are pursuing their dreams.
“I feel honored, but I’m not sure if I necessarily feel deserving,” he says. “We’re trying to build something very special. It’s always a work in progress.
“But at the same time, the fun is in the journey as you try to build these things,” he adds. “Why not try to highlight people who are chasing those dreams?”
The honorees deserve the recognition, Cotton Kelly says.
“UConn couldn’t be prouder of this young class,” she says. “We want to shout out to our alums, and the faculty doing great things for their professions.”
Below are the profiles of the nine UConn alumni, including one who is now a UConn faculty member, that appear in the February 2015 issue of Connecticut Magazine and at connecticutmag.com:
Dr. Aditya Tadinada ’10 MDS, 37, West Hartford
Assistant professor of oral and maxillofacial radiology at the University of Connecticut
Why he’s on the list: As part of a pilot study at UConn Health, Tadinada has found evidence that use of Botox – which has been deemed effective in relieving TMJ and is currently going through a 5-year, $4 million clinical trial by the National Institutes of Health – actually causes dangerous side effects including bone-density loss. His investigation is just one example of the research he’s doing to improve dental safety.
Kia Levey ’12 MSW, 38, New Haven
Project director, The New Haven MOMS Partnership
Why she’s on the list: A lifelong resident of New Haven, Levey has deeply reinvested herself in the community, spending more than a decade working for nonprofits that benefit New Haven. As project director for the New Haven MOMS Partnership, she coordinates various agencies across the city to support the well-being of mothers and families by making services more easily available to those who need it.
Conor Horrigan ’11 MBA, 32, Litchfield
Brewery owner
Why he’s on the list: Horrigan walked away from an unrewarding Wall Street job to open Stamford’s Half Full Brewery, a beer company dedicated to reminding people to look on the sunny side of life. Today, his company works to support other entrepreneurs and dreamers to spread good beer and good cheer far and wide.
Matthew Fitzsimmons ’05 JD, 34, Windsor
Assistant attorney general
Why he’s on the list: It’s a brave new world of technology and Fitzsimmons is on the front lines of privacy and consumer protection. An assistant attorney general, he serves as chair of the Attorney General’s Privacy Task Force and is the state’s lead attorney on all matters involving data security and privacy. He has played a key role in multistate actions with Internet, technology, health care, and retail companies across the country.
Teresa (LaBarbera) Dufour ’01 (CLAS), 34, New Haven
Traffic reporter, “Good Morning Connecticut”/ host, “Connecticut Style”
Why she’s on the list: The vibrant Dufour is a daily double threat: After providing thousands of commuters across Southeastern Connecticut with the latest traffic updates on “Good Morning Connecticut” from 5 to 7 a.m., she switches gears and is back on the air at 12:30 p.m. with “Connecticut Style,” where she shares the better parts of Connecticut life, including fashion, health, beauty, and food.
Nicole Wagner ’07 (CLAS), ’13 Ph.D., 30, West Hartford
Scientist/CEO LambdaVision
Why she’s on the list: While working on her Ph.D. in molecular and cell biology at the University of Connecticut, Wagner founded the biotech startup LambdaVision with one of her professors, Robert Birge. The company is on the cutting edge of vision restoration and plans to begin animal testing of a protein-based cure for some forms of blindness.
Julie Daly Meehan ’05 (HDFS), 31, Hartford
HYPE executive director/director of investor engagement and digital media
Why she’s on the list: Meehan works for the MetroHartford Alliance, which is the leading business and economic development organization in Connecticut’s capital region. Meehan is also executive director of the Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs group. In 2014 Meehan was promoted, via the addition of a second role, and is now responsible for developing social media strategies to strengthen all the MetroHartford Alliance initiatives, including the Connecticut Health Council and the Connecticut Insurance and Financial Services Cluster.
Kate Lindsay ’05 (CLAS), ’08 JD, 36, Hartford
Attorney
Why she’s on the list: In addition to her caseload as an attorney with Bracewell & Giuliani, Lindsay has taken on pro bono work and worked with survivors of domestic violence. The lifelong state resident and UConn grad has also been a part of clinics to provide legal services to the homeless of Hartford, as well as efforts for fair housing and immigration.
Liz Shuman ’01 MSW, 38, Madison
Inspiration and co-founder of OutRUN38
Why she’s on the list: As the “director of inspiration” for the nonprofit organization OutRUN38, Shuman has shown others what it is to push past obstacles. Shuman was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at age 7, when her life expectancy was just 12. She celebrated her 38th birthday in September (her current life expectancy), and is still running – her lifelong passion. Her friend Nicole Burke founded OutRUN38 to support her through frequent hospital stays and raise money for others fighting the disease.
To see Connecticut Magazine’s “40 Under 40” Class of 2015, visit the Magazine’s website.
