Mike and Renée Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Ippolito Imani Caradonna is a staff scientist, biologist, and lab automation specialist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, CA. His current work is at the forefront of lab automation and AI. 

Heeho Park, a principal technical staff member and scientist at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, understands the benefits of resiliency, adaptability, and innovation. These traits became essential to Park as he completed his education and continues to develop his career.

Three months before winning $17,500 at the 2018 UC Davis Big Bang! competition, Denise Bronner learned her father had been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Her startup, Anu Snacks, which produced snack bars from spent beer grain, was put on hold.

Seven years later, Bronner’s father is in remission, and her path has brought her back to UC Davis as a co-sponsor for the social entrepreneurship award for this year’s Big Bang, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

This year marks the 25th annual Big Bang! Business Competition, organized by the Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which awarded over $100,000 in grants to the winning teams on Tuesday. 

The 2025 UC Davis Medal has been awarded to Michael C. and Renée Z. Child, who have dedicated themselves to the University of California, Davis, and their communities throughout their lives.

The alumni couple, who met as undergraduates in the early 1970s, have remained deeply committed to UC Davis, volunteering their leadership and insight to advance many areas of the university.

Juliana Renert has always had a passion for art, and painting is her favorite medium. She entered the institute’s Innovation in Art competition last spring and ultimately won both first place and the people’s choice award – and $500. Her winning entry, “Ignite,” (oil on canvas) depicts her mother’s hands cupping a ball of light. "Hands are the connector for yourself and the environment, people, and the world," she explained.

Nishi Bhagat understands the value of community. 

This time of year is filled with opportunities—some that are exciting, some difficult to accept, some restorative, and some requiring hard work, determination, and resilience. With so many opportunities calling for attention, it can be challenging to decide where to invest your time and energy.

Tony Simon's professional journey is a testament to the transformative power of the Big Bang! Business Competition.

A Ph.D. and NIH-funded scientist with a background in cognitive neuroscience, Simon developed an innovative approach to stroke rehabilitation that uses virtual reality. But he had little experience running a business and was unsure how to enter the world of startups.

After seeing a young, vulnerable patient suffer and ultimately die due to an antibiotic-resistant infection caused by a ventilator tube, Benjamin Wang, a physician, knew a better solution was possible.

He founded NEVAP (Never Ventilator Associated Pneumonia), to create a breathing tube designed to help prevent bacterial infections in patients on mechanical ventilation. His first real business success came from winning first prize in the Big Bang! Business Competition in 2014. He credits the win for helping to launch his venture.