IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.

COMING UP, SOME PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT A PLAN TO MOVE THEIR CHILDREN TO A DIFFERENT SCHOOL.

WE'LL TELL YOU WHY PARENTS ARE CIRCULATING A PETITION AND TAKING THEIR FIGHT TO THE NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING IN FORT MYERS.

IMAGINE A VACCINE TO STOP CANCER BEFORE IT DEVELOPS.

WE LEARN MORE ABOUT A CLINICAL TRIAL SHOWING PROMISING RESULTS AND EFFORTS TO ONE DAY ERRATIC 8 CANCER.

FINDING EXCELLENCE IN INNOVATION AND EXPLORATION INTO THE POTENTIAL WORLD.

CHANGING IDEAS THAT WERE CELEBRATED AS PART OF THIS YEAR'S EDISON AWARDS.

HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN EARLY APRIL, PARENTS OF STUDENTS AT BUCKINGHAM EXCEPTIONAL SCHOOL RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT'S STATING THAT THEIR CHILDREN WITH THE MOVE TO A DIFFERENT SCHOOL NEXT YEAR.

THE BUCKINGHAM SCHOOL CHILDREN HAVE SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS IN THE FALL OF 2026, THEY WILL BE MOVED TO ROYAL PALM EXCEPTIONAL SCHOOL WHICH EDUCATES CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIORAL NEEDS.

THE LEE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT'S STATES THAT EACH SCHOOL POPULATION WILL BE SEPARATED UNDER ONE ROOF AND THAT THE ROYAL PALM SCHOOL WILL BE MODIFIED TO ACCOMMODATE THE SPECIAL PHYSICAL NEEDS OF THE KIDS FROM BUCKINGHAM.

AND THAT ALL TEACHERS SUPPORT STAFF AND ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT WILL ALSO BE MOVED FROM BUCKINGHAM TO ROYAL PALM.

BUT PARENTS OF BUCKINGHAM SCHOOL STUDENTS SAY THEY ARE STILL WORRIED THAT THEIR CHILDREN'S NEEDS WILL NOT BE MET AT ROYAL PALM.

>> WGCU REPORTER DAYNA HARPSTER HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY IN JOINS US NOW.

DANA, WHAT ARE PARENTS SAYING ABOUT THIS DECISION?

>> AT THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING LAST WEEK ABOUT 2 DOZEN PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF BUCKINGHAM SCHOOL EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE MOVE TO WELL PALM.

AND THERE WERE SOME VERY EMOTIONAL PLEAS.

WGCU HAS LEARNED.

THE DECISION, THOUGH, IS NOT MADE BY THE SCHOOL BOARD, BUT BY THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION MEETING SUPERINTENDENT DENISE CARLIN AND HER STAFF AND IT DID NOT REQUIRE A BOARD VOTE.

THEREFORE, THE BOARD, AT LEAST FOR NOW HAS LIMITED SAY, IN THE MATTER BODY CAM SCHOOL PARENT LIAISON KATIE PETERSON SPOKE TO WGCU ABOUT HER CONCERNS FOR THE 77 STUDENTS AT THE SCHOOL, INCLUDING HER OWN DAUGHTER.

>> SO SHE'S BLIND.

AND SHE MUSES HANDRAILS TO FOLLOW ALONG THE WALL TO WALK INTO THE SCHOOL AND WALK TO HER CLASSROOM WHEN SHE'S IN THE SCHOOL.

WE'RE UP ON HAVE THAT ONE OF THE OTHER BIG CONCERNS IS THAT THE THE CAMPUS IS ESSENTIALLY OPEN TO THE OUTSIDE INTO COURTNEY WRITES, ALL THE CLASSROOMS OPEN INTO AN OUTDOOR SPACE.

>> PETERSON'S DAUGHTERS AMONG THE 62% OF STUDENTS WHO RANGE IN AGE FROM KINDERGARTEN TO AGE.

22 THAT HAVE STIPULATIONS AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLANS ABOUT EXPOSURE TO HEAT.

THAT'S NOT TO MENTION THE DIFFICULTY OF MANY, IF NOT MOST OF THE STUDENTS GETTING FROM ROOM TO ROOM AT ROYAL PALM SINCE THESE WHEELCHAIRS, AT LEAST ONE OLDER STUDENT CRAWLS AND NEEDS CARPETING, WHICH WELL, PALM DOES NOT HAVE.

SPOKESMAN ROB SPICKER SAID EQUIPMENT WILL MOVE WITH THE STUDENTS AND ANY MODIFICATIONS WILL BE MADE OVER THE SUMMER.

KATY PETERSON'S HUSBAND WILL IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT OVERCROWDING AT THE SCHOOL WITH 2 TYPES OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

THERE'S A DISCREPANCY.

ALSO, IT SEEMS IN THE SCHOOL CAPACITY NUMBERS THEY'VE HEARD FROM THE DISTRICT.

>> SO NUMBERS LIKE 50% AND 60% HAVE KIND OF BEEN THROWN OUT BY MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT.

I MEAN, OVERCAPACITY STILL HEARTY ANYWAY, BUT FOR BOTH OF THOSE STUDENTS, THEY'RE VERY HIGH NEEDS.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO GET THE STAFF AND AIDES AND EVERYTHING, ALL THE SUPPORT THAT NEEDS TO BE THERE FOR THOSE STUDENTS.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S NOT ADDING UP.

>> THE DISTRICT HAS SAID AGAIN THAT ALL OF THE TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF FROM BUCKINGHAM WILL MOVE ALONG WITH THE STUDENTS, BUT AT LEAST ONE BOARD MEMBER REMAIN SKEPTICAL.

DEBBIE JORDAN HAS BEEN TALKING TO PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT THE MOVE AND NONE OF THEM ARE HAPPY.

>> I AM NOT THAT COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

AT THIS TIME OF JOY ACTUALLY.

AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CHILD HAS WHAT THEY NEED ON BOTH SIDES.

>> SO FOR NOW, PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF BUCKINGHAM SCHOOL ARE CIRCULATING A PETITION ASKING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM NOT TO GO FORWARD WITH THIS PLAN AND THEY VOW TO SHOW UP AND MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD AT THE NEXT MEETING, WHICH IS MAY 12TH AT THE SCHOOL'S COLONIAL BOULEVARD OFFICES IN FORT MYERS.

AND DANA, I UNDERSTAND THERE HAVE BEEN SOME MAJOR CONCERNS ABOUT COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND PARENTS.

YES, THE PARENTS HEARD BY LETTER IN EARLY APRIL THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND THEN THEY HAD JUST 2 DAYS AND THERE WAS AN OPEN HOUSE AT ROYAL PALM THAT THEY COULD ATTEND AND THEIR CONCERNS WERE GREAT WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE LETTER AND THEY WERE KIND OF EVEN GREATER AFTER THEY DID THAT OR.

>> AND YOU WILL BE AT THAT MEETING.

WE DEFINITELY WILL BE A DEATH.

>> YES, THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING THE STORY AND UPDATING US TODAY.

DANA, THANK YOU.

>> YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH DANA'S REPORTING ON ALL OF THE EDUCATIONAL STORIES IMPACTING SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

JUST HEAD TO OUR WEB SITE WGCU DOT ORG.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES REPORTED OVER 5.2 BILLION DOLLARS IN FOREIGN GIFTS AND CONTRACTS LAST YEAR.

WELL, NOT ALL FOREIGN FUNDING IS HARMFUL.

SOME APPARENT GIFTS COULD BE HARMFUL TO PROFESSORS AND EVEN THEIR RESEARCH.

WGCUS CULTURE AND CONNECTIONS.

REPORTER ELIZABETH ANDARGE ATTENDED A PROGRAM AIMED AT EDUCATING HIGHER LEARNING PROFESSIONALS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF INTERNATIONAL INFLUENCE.

>> AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES HAVE ALWAYS RAN ON A SIMPLE PRINCIPLE SHARE IDEAS FREELY AND SCIENCE MOVES FASTER.

FBI SPECIAL AGENT CHARLES MCGINNIS HANDLES PRIVATE SECTOR OUTREACH FOR THE BUREAU'S TAMPA DIVISION.

BASICALLY COLLABORATING WITH INSTITUTIONS TO COMBAT NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS.

HE SAYS FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS HAVE TURNED THAT PRINCIPLE INTO AN OPENING.

>> SO THE INFLUENCE THAT CAN HAPPEN WITH FOREIGN ACTORS OR FOREIGN NATIONS STATES, IT'S OFTEN DRIVE BY, YOU KNOW, THEIR NEEDS AND WHAT THEY WANT FROM US.

BUT PRIMARILY IT'S IN WAYS LIKE THE CHINESE IN CHINA TOWN PROGRAMS.

THE WAYS THAT THEY WANT TO RECRUIT STUDENTS OR RESEARCHERS TO GET ACCESS TO OUR THE UNIVERSITY'S RESEARCHING LECTURE PROPERTY.

FOR THEIR OWN USE.

BACK IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY.

>> THE CHINESE TALENT PROGRAM, SIR.

OFTEN GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED RECRUITMENT EFFORTS DESIGNED TO GAIN ACCESS TO CUTTING EDGE INFORMATION.

BUT IT ISN'T ALWAYS ABOUT NATIONAL SECURITY.

MCGINNIS SAYS THE MOTIVE CAN BE PURELY ECONOMIC.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS WHY A COUNTRY LIKE CHINA WOULD WANT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THAT TECHNOLOGY.

AND THAT RESEARCH OUT.

AND USE IT IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY IS TO GET AHEAD OF THE MARKET AND THEN DEVELOP THEIR OWN.

BIOMEDICAL, YOU KNOW, USE OR FOR SOME OTHER KIND OF MEDICINE.

AND THEN THEY PUT ON THE MARKET BEFORE THE DEAL.

THE COMPANY THAT HAS SPENT ALL THE TIME AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPING IT HAS BEEN ABLE TO UTILIZE IT.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS WHY.

THEY WANT.

A LOT OF THIS TECHNOLOGY.

BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THEY WANT IT AND THEY'RE GOING TO LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET IT.

>> SEVERAL FGCU FACULTY AND STAFF IN THE ROOM SAID THEY'VE ALREADY RECEIVED UNSOLICITED E-MAILS OFFERING PAID OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESEARCH AND OVERSEAS PRESENTATIONS.

MCGINNIS SAYS THOSE KINDS OF OFFERS ARE EXACTLY WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR AND LAID OUT RED FLAGS.

>> NUMBER ONE, FULLY FUNDED TRAVEL TO CHINA.

FULLY FUNDED TRAVEL TO RUSSIA.

ANY KIND OF CONTRACT WHERE THEY HAVE TO ENGAGE IN A CONTRACT AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE PAID FOR.

SERVICES LIKE A SALARY.

I WOULD SAY THOSE ARE SOME OF THE TOP RED FLAGS.

SOME OF THE OTHER MORE INNOCUOUS ONES HAVE TO DO WITH TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.

AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS FGCU ALLOWS FACULTY TO WORK INTERNATIONALLY WITH FULL DISCLOSURE.

>> ANY AFFILIATION WITH THE FOREIGN INSTITUTION PAID OR NOT MUST BE REPORTED TO THE UNIVERSITY AND APPROVED BEFORE IT BEGINS.

THAT INCLUDES PARTICIPATION IN FOREIGN TALENT RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS.

THE FBI SAYS ANYONE WHO RECEIVES A SUSPICIOUS OFFER CAN REPORT IT.

TIPS DOT FBI DOT GOV FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M ELISABETH ANDARGE >> COMING UP, COULD A VACCINE FOR CANCER BECOME A REALITY IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

WE TALK WITH THE CEO OF A BIO SCIENCE TECH COMPANY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE LATEST CLINICAL TRIALS FOR A CANCER VACCINE.

FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY TOOK A MAJOR STEP FORWARD IN EFFORTS TO PREPARE FUTURE HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

FGCU BROKE GROUND ON 117 MILLION DOLLAR HEALTH SCIENCE BUILDING THE BUILDING WILL HOUSE SIMULATED INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, LABOR AND DELIVERY SUITES AND OPERATING ROOMS.

IT'S ALL DESIGNED TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF NURSES, PHYSICAL THERAPISTS AND OTHER HEALTH CARE WORKERS, CEO OF LEE HEALTH AND FGCU BOARD MEMBER DR LARRY ANTONUCCI SAYS THE TRUE IMPACT OF THE BUILDING LIES IN ITS PURPOSE.

>> SOUTHWEST FLORIDA CONTINUES TO GROW RAPIDLY, PARTICULARLY AMONG AGING POPULATIONS.

AND WITH THAT GROWTH COMES AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR HIGHLY TRAINED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.

ACADEMIC BUILDING TENT IS A PROACTIVE STRATEGIC RESPONSE TO THAT NEED EXPANDING THE PROGRAMS OF AMERICAN COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND ENSURING IT FTC REMAINS AT THE WAR FRONT OF HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION.

>> WITHIN THE SIMULATION LABS, MANNEQUINS WILL HAVE LIFE LIKE ABILITIES LIKE A PULSE AND EVEN THE ABILITY TO MOVE THEIR EYES, ALL ALLOWING STUDENTS TO PRACTICE VARIOUS PROCEDURES.

GABRIEL DE CARDENAS, FIRST SEMESTER, NURSING STUDENT SAYS HE LOOKS FORWARD TO ALL THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MAKE HIS TRAINING AS COMPLETE AS POSSIBLE.

>> ONE BIG THING THAT THEY'RE TESTING NOW AND I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT A NEW BUILDING IS A WEARABLE BIRTHS SIMULATOR.

SO WE GET TO BE THE ACTING OF A PATIENT AND THEN ALSO THE REAL TECHNICAL MESS OF CHILDBIRTH.

AND I THINK IT'S JUST SO INCREDIBLE TO MAKE IT JUST I MEAN, ALMOST AS REALISTIC AS POSSIBLE.

IT'S SO MUCH FUN AND I CAN'T WAIT TO GET INTO THOSE KIND OF GOALS AND WORK WITH THAT PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY.

IT'S JUST SO EXCITING.

>> DE CARDENAS HOPES TO WORK IN A LEVEL ONE TRAUMA UNIT AFTER GRADUATION CONSTRUCTION ON THE BUILDING IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN SPRING OF 2029.

ON MONDAY, WE INTRODUCED YOU TO CANCER SURVIVOR CHASE JOHNSON.

SHE TOOK PART IN THE FIRST PHASE OF A CLINICAL TRIAL FOR A CANCER VACCINE.

THE CLINICAL TRIALS ARE A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN THE CLEVELAND CLINIC AND A MIX OF BIO SCIENCES, BIOTECH COMPANY THAT DEVELOPS THERAPIES AND VACCINES.

I HAD THE CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH DOCTOR AMIT KUMAR, CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF AN EXTRA TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EFFORTS WELL UNDERWAY TO FIND A VACCINE FOR CANCER.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS?

VERY PROMISING CANCER VACCINE AND HOW IT WORKS?

>> YES, THE VACCINE IS DESIGNED TO NOT ONLY TREAT CANCER, BUT ALSO PREVENT CANCER IN WOMEN WHO'VE NEVER HAD CANCER BEFORE.

IT SAID BASED ON A MOLECULAR MECHANISM THAT HAS NEVER BEEN TRIED BEFORE IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE.

WE'VE IDENTIFIED PROTEIN OR MERELY IS PRODUCED IN WOMEN'S MAMMARY GLANDS WHEN SHE IS ABOUT TO LOT HATE.

SO SHE IS.

YEAH, I GET THAT TO GIVE BIRTH THE PROTEIN IS PRODUCED IN THE MAMMARY GLANDS AND ENABLES LOT HAITIANS OF THAT.

THE MOTHER CAN FEED THE INCIDENT AFTER SHE STOPPED BREASTFEEDING.

THE PROTEIN DISAPPEARS COMES BACK AGAIN WHEN SHE HAS ANOTHER BABY AND MOTHER BABY, BUT EVENTUALLY AFTER SHE'S NO LONGER GOING TO HAVE CHILDREN IN MOST TO WOMEN, THE PROTEIN DISAPPEARS AND IS NEVER SEEN AGAIN.

BUT IN THE ONE OUT OF 8 WOMEN THAT DEVELOP CANCER AND MULTIPLE TYPES.

AND EVEN THOUGH THIS TRIAL WAS INITIALLY FOCUSED ON TRIPLE NEGATIVE CANCER.

BUT WE ARE EVENTUALLY GOING TO FOCUS ON ALL TYPES OF CANCER.

SO THAT ONE OUT OF 8 WOMEN THAT COULD GET CANCER, MANY OF THEIR CELLS ARE PRODUCING THAT PROTEIN AGAIN.

SO THE IDEA HERE AND THIS WAS DEVELOPED AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC 2 DECADES AGO BY A BRILLIANT IMMUNOLOGIST.

AND THE IDEA HERE WAS THAT WE WOULD VACCINATE WOMEN AFTER THEY'RE NO LONGER GOING TO HAVE CHILDREN AND TEACH THE IMMUNE SYSTEMS TO DESTROY ANY CELL MAKING THAT PROTEIN.

AND AT THAT AGE AND THESE CELLS THAT ARE MAKING THAT PROVE PROTEIN.

OUR CANCER CELLS.

SO IF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM HAS BEEN PROPERLY TRAINED THROUGH VACCINATION AS SOON AS THOSE CANCER CELLS ARISE AT THE EARLY STAGE, A TUMOR FORMATION, THE 2 CELLS FOR SALES, 8 CELL STAGE.

THE MEAN SYSTEM WILL DESTROY THOSE CANCER CELLS SO THEY NEVER HAD THE CHANCE TO BECOME A LARGE MULTI TRULY IN CELL MASK THAT CAN THEN THE SCENE ON A MAMMOGRAM AND BECOMES MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH.

SO THAT'S THE VISION FOR THE PROTEIN FOR THE VACCINE.

AND THE GOAL HERE IS TO INITIALLY.

GET IT APPROVED FOR TREATMENT OF CANCER AND THEN LONG TERM FOR PRESSEL ACCESS, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE FEEL WILL CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT CANCER.

IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE WE CAN GIVE THIS VACCINE TO EVERYONE WHO'S CONCERNED ABOUT CANCER AND PREVENT IT FROM EVER HAPPENING.

>> CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH PHASE ONE?

WHAT OCCURRED IN PHASE ONE OF THIS TRIAL.

>> YEAH.

AND PHASE ONE.

WE WERE PRIMARILY FOCUSED ON SAFETY IN AND THAT TO THE FACT THAT THE VACCINE IS SAFE AND ALSO TO SEE IF THE IMMUNE SYSTEMS OF THE PATIENTS.

WE'RE REACTING TO THE VACCINE.

AND SO WE MONITORED, OF COURSE, ALL LABORATORY VALUES AND WHAT NOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VACCINE WAS SAFE AND THEN WE LOOKED AT THEIR WHITE BLOOD CELLS TO SEE IF WE WERE TRAINING THEM APPROPRIATELY TO ATTACK CANCER CELLS.

AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE SHOW THAT THE VACCINE WAS ROCK SOLID, SAFE.

AND THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GOING TO EVENTUALLY GIVE THIS THAT'S SEEN TOO MILLIONS CHAIR HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF WOMEN THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

THEN YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S ABSOLUTELY SAFE.

THE ONLY SIDE EFFECT THAT PEOPLE HAD WAS PRIMARILY JUST IRRITATION AT THE INJECTION SITE.

AND THEN THE SECOND GOAL WAS TO DETERMINE IMMUNE RESPONSE.

WE WANTED TO SEE IF THEY'RE WHITE BLOOD CELLS WERE REACTING WITH THE VACCINE AND WE WERE BEING PROPERLY TRAINED.

AND WE SAW ABOUT 3 QUARTERS OF THE WOMEN HAVE A VERY, VERY ROBUST AND POTENT IMMUNE RESPONSE WITH THE REMAINING 25% OF THE WOMEN HAVING A LITTLE BIT MORE MODEST IMMUNE RESPONSE.

SO WE'RE INCREDIBLY PLEASED AND THRILLED THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE BOTH OF THESE IN PHASE ONE.

AND THAT ENABLED US TO GO START THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR FACE TO.

>> FACE TO THAT BEGINS THIS YEAR.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT'S INVOLVED IN FACE TO AND HOW MANY PARTICIPANTS DO YOU EXPECT?

>> YEAH, FACE TO WHICH WE HOPE TO GET THE BEGINNING ABOUT A YEAR IS GOING TO BE A LARGER TRIAL IN PHASE ONE.

WE HAD A ALL PATIENTS WERE AT A SINGLE SITE WHICH IS AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC THEY WERE ALL TREATED THE CLEVELAND CLINIC IN PHASE AND IT WAS TOTAL OF 35 WOMEN IN THAT TRIAL PHASE 2 WILL BE A LARGER NUMBER SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 100 TO 200 WOMEN.

AND WE WILL DO THAT STUDY AT MULTIPLE SITES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE IN VIRTUALLY ALL MAJOR METROPOLITAN AREAS CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE TRIAL IF THEY CHOOSE TO DO SO.

>> THE DOCTOR, YOU TOLD ME YOU'VE PERSONALLY BEEN TOUCHED BY CANCER.

YOU HAVE WORKED ON RESEARCH FOR THE BETTER PART OF 30 YEARS.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THESE VERY PROMISING FINDINGS?

>> YEAH, IT'S A I THINK I'M NOT UNIQUE IN THAT.

VIRTUALLY EVERYONE.

IN THE UNITED STATES AND PROBABLY THE WORLD HE'S HAD TO DEAL WITH FAMILY OR LOVED ONE.

IT'S HAD CANCER I'M PAT.

WE HAVE CANCER IN MY FAMILY.

I-2 DAUGHTERS.

THAT I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO VACCINATE IN A IN THAT PREVENT CANCER IN FOR THEM.

AND IT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IF I LOOK BACK AT THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST 30 YEARS OF RESEARCH IN WE'VE MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS.

NOT ONLY WITH THE BEES, BUT PRIMARILY WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW OUR IMMUNE SYSTEMS WORK AND THAT HAS SPAWNED A WHOLE FIELD OF IMMUNOTHERAPY, WHICH THIS VACCINE IS A PART OF.

AND I BELIEVE WE'RE ON THE VERGE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

TO PREVENT CANCER TO PREVENT ALL TYPES OF CANCER.

INITIALLY STARTING WITH CANCER, WE'VE DONE THAT FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

YOU CAN YOU KNOW, THERE ARE MANY, MANY INFECTIOUS DISEASES THAT WORK THE SCOURGE OF HUMANITY FOR HAVE FOR MILLENNIA LIKE POLIO OR SMALLPOX.

BUT WE'VE ELIMINATED THOSE DISEASES WITH IT AT VERY EFFECTIVE VACCINES.

WE FEEL THAT WE CAN DO THAT WITH CANCER AS WELL.

STARTING WITH CANCER.

BUT IF WE CAN DO TO HAVE CANCER, THERE'S NO REASON WHY WE COULDN'T DO THAT WITH OTHER TYPES OF CANCER AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH US TODAY?

THIS IS SO EXCITING.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WE AS SCIENTISTS AND MET IT.

MEDICAL RESEARCHERS GET A LOT OF THE CREDIT THAT THE CREDIT SHOULD REALLY GO TO THE PATIENTS WHO ALLOW US TO.

TESS THESE NEW THERAPIES AND VACCINES ON THEM.

AND I ALSO WANT INDICATE THAT A TRIAL INITIALLY AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC.

HAD A DISPERSE A GROUP OF WOMEN.

AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF DIVERSITY WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IN THE FACE TO TRIAL PATIENTS WITH A BROADER BEING DIVERSITY PROFILE.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY AND SHARING THIS REALLY EXCITING AND SUCH PROMISING NEWS.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US.

>> MAKE SURE YOU ARE STAYING UP TO DATE WITH ALL OF THE LATEST MEDICAL NEWS BY HEADING TO OUR WEB SITE.

WHEC DOT ORG.

EXPIRATION DATES.

>> L OF MONEY.

PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THIS, BUT THEY'RE ACTUALLY MORE ABOUT QUALITY THAN THEY ARE ABOUT FOOD SAFETY.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THINGS LIKE THE SELL BY DATE, THAT IS TYPICALLY A DATE THAT IS GOING TO BE A GUIDE FOR GROCERY MANUFACTURERS.

WHEN CAN I SELL THIS PIE?

THE BEST BY DATE IS REALLY AN ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY.

>> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU TRIED TO EAT SOMETHING FROM YOUR PANTRY OR YOUR FRIDGE ONLY TO FIND OUT.

IT HAD ALREADY EXPIRED.

WELL, YOU MIGHT THINK IT'S NO LONGER EDIBLE.

THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

EXPERTS SAY THAT WELL EXPIRATION DATES ARE HELPFUL.

THE BEST WAY TO TELL US SOMETHING HAS GONE BAD IS BY LOOKING AT IT OR SMELLING IT, PAY ATTENTION TO THE COLOR AND TEXTURE AND ANY SIGNS OF MOLD.

IT'S UNUSUALLY SMELLY.

OF COURSE, YOU WANT TO THROW IT OUT.

AND WHILE SOME FOODS CAN SURVIVE MUCH LONGER THAN ANTICIPATED REGISTERED DIETICIAN, KRISTIN KIRKPATRICK SAYS THE RISK OF GETTING SICK FROM EXPIRED FOODS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE PERISHABLE, ALWAYS LINGERS.

>> TYPICALLY WHEN BACTERIA HAS GROWN, WE WILL SEE IT OR WE MIGHT SMELL IT.

WE MAY SEE IT BEFORE WE SMELL IT.

BUT THAT IS WHY SOME OF THOSE PERISHABLE ITEMS ARE GOING TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR.

>> KIRKPATRICK ADDS THAT CERTAIN PRODUCTS LIKE INFANT FORMULA HAS STRICT EXPIRATION DATES THAT SHOULD ALWAYS BE FOLLOWED.

BUT FOR ANY FOOD, IF YOU DON'T TRUST IT, JUST THROW IT AWAY.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, A LOOK BACK AT A YEAR OF INNOVATION.

WE HEAD TO DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS TO SEE SOME OF THE AMAZING ACHIEVEMENTS CELEBRATED AT THIS YEAR'S EDISON AWARDS.

ON JUNE.

FIRST 18, 69?

22 YEAR-OLD THOMAS EDISON RECEIVED HIS VERY FIRST PATENT FOR HIS ELECTRIC VOICE RECORDER THAT DEVICE WAS A COMMERCIAL FAILURE BUT SPARKED A LIFETIME THAT EDISON DEDICATED TO INNOVATION.

157 YEARS LATER, THE EDISON AWARDS TOOK OVER DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS, HIGHLIGHTING THE LATEST GENERATION OF BRILLIANT IDEAS.

WGC IS EMMA RODRIGUEZ TAKES US THROUGH THE MARQUEE INNOVATORS SHOWCASE.

>> THE ANNUAL AWARDS ARE INFORMALLY REFERRED TO AS THE OSCARS OF INNOVATION.

IF YOU APPRECIATE THAT MORE THAN THE MAYOR OF FORT MYERS, KEVIN ANDERSON'S.

>> SO THIS IS BIG FOR FORT MYERS BECAUSE IT DEFINITELY PUTS US ON THE MAP AND LETS PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE'RE HERE AND THAT WE'RE OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND THAT WE'RE A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE WORK AND PLAY AND RAISED A FAMILY.

>> ALSO UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EVENT WAS THE TEAM FROM AIR, AN ISRAEL BASED AVIATION COMPANY.

THEY CAME WITH THEIR AIR.

ONE MEDIUM SIZED AIRCRAFT THAT RESEMBLES A DRONE.

IT'S FULLY ELECTRIC AND HAS SMART NAVIGATION CAPABILITIES.

AIR DID NOT SUBMIT A PRODUCT TO BE NOMINATED FOR AN EDISON AWARD THIS YEAR.

BUT HEAD OF MARKETING GILL CHARNS SAYS HE HOPES THE AWARDS PRESTIGE IS IN THE COMPANY'S FUTURE.

HERE'S WHAT HE SAID WHEN WE ASKED HIM HOW IT WOULD FEEL TO WIN A GOLD.

>> IT'S VERY EXCITING AND WE'RE VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

A TEAM IT BUT WE HAVE A LOT AHEAD OF US FOR THIS YEAR.

A LOT TO PROVE A LOT TO DELIVER ON.

SO THERE'S STILL A LOT OF WORK AHEAD.

SO WHERE WE'RE INSPIRED.

BUT WE'RE ALSO, YOU KNOW, DRIVEN.

>> IN THE VEIN OF OUTRAGEOUS ELECTRONICS, THE HOLLANDALE BEACH BASED TVC ROBOTICS ALSO CAME WITH THEIR LIFE PRODUCT IN THE WAY OF HUMANOID ROBOTS THEY CAN DANCE.

DO KARATE AND ONE EVEN RESEMBLES A DOG.

THE ROBOTS ARE NOT JUST FOR ENTERTAINMENT ATTACHMENTS LIKE CAMERAS AND WATER HOSES CAN'T HELP COMPLETE TASKS THAT MAY BE TOO DANGEROUS FOR HUMANS.

CEO ART MOCK OFF EXPLAINS.

>> IT CAN BE USED LIKE A SECURITY GUARD BECAME PATROL TERRITORIES.

IT CAN GO 3.60, CAMERAS ON CONSTRUCTION SITE.

AND WHAT I LIKE THE MOST WITH RUBBLE, DUCKS.

IT CAN WORK WITH.

IT'S DANGEROUS FOR HUMANS IN VENGEANCE ENROLLMENT.

THAT'S A CHEMICAL FACILITY.

IT'S RIGHT TO INSPECT THE LEAGUE'S, YOU KNOW, OR MAYBE OVERHEATING, YS OR EVEN 5 THROUGH THE FIRE.

>> INNOVATION COMES IN MANY SHAPES AND SIZES, BUT A COUCH MAY NOT BE.

WHAT COMES TO MIND.

HOWEVER, LOVE SACK WAS NOMINATED FOR AND WON A BRONZE EDISON AWARD THIS YEAR.

LOVE SACK FOCUSES ON ADDING FEATURES TO FURNITURE, MAINSTAYS, LIKE BEAN BAGS, COUCHES AND RECLINERS.

IN ADDITION TO 100 YEAR WARRANTY.

SHOW ROOM MANAGER ALYSSA COSTS, WHO WORKS AT THE COMPANY'S STERILE LOCATION SAYS IT'S AN HONOR TO REPRESENT SUCH A COMPLEX PRODUCT ON THE GLOBAL STAGE.

>> SO THAT'S REALLY THAT INNOVATION PEACE.

THE MECHANISM ITSELF HAS ALMOST 600 COMPONENTS IN IT.

THE ITEMS THEMSELVES KIND OF SAW THEMSELVES.

I MEAN, WITH WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER THE UNIQUENESS OF IT.

SO I I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD.

I'M INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO GET A CHANCE TO BE A PART OF THE EVENT FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M EMMA RODRIGUEZ.

IT.

>> COMING UP ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM GIVING SEA TURTLE HATCHLINGS A CHANCE AT SUCCESS FROM A REDUCTION IN HABITAT TO LIGHT POLLUTION.

WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT'S BEING DONE TO INCREASE THEIR NUMBERS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WGCU DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN NEXT TIME RIGHT HERE ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

IN FOCUS.