ANN ARBOR ? University of Michigan Professor Farnam Jahanian, whose technology lead to the creation of an Internet security company, and Glen Barna, a former graduate student at Michigan Technological University who developed a wireless telemetry company, both received $25,000 Wednesday night as the first winners of the University Awards for Commercialization Excellence.

Jahanian and Barna bested 18 other applicants from seven Michigan universities in a program launched 18 months ago by Gov. Jennifer Granholm

to reward public university researchers whose research advances the development and commercialization of new technologies..?

Jahanian?s company, Arbor Networks, provides a real-time view of network activity, enabling organizations to instantly protect against cyber attacks and harden networks against future attacks. Arbor Networks has created more than 100 jobs globally, 50 in Michigan.

Barna?s company, IR Telemetrics, provides wireless data transfer from reciprocating and rotating components. IR Telemetrics has created 10 jobs in Michigan.

The awards were presented by Lt. Gov. John Cherry at a reception following the first day of the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium, held for the 24th year at the University of Michigan?s Ross School of Business. Day two, which features presentations by 32 Midwestern technology companies, takes place Thursday.

The ACE program was divided into two categories ? Michigan universities that generate more than $100 million in research expenditures annually, and one to universities under the $100 million threshold. Only Wayne State University, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan fall into the upper category. The other 12 Michigan universities competed for the latter ACE.

Three finalists in each category were announced June 1. Category I finalists ? less than $100 million in research expenditures annually ? were Dr. Ka. C. Cheok, Chairman of the Electrical and Systems Engineering Department at Oakland University. He developed technology at Oakland University that lead to the creation of JADI, which has filed five patents and created three full-time and seven part-time jobs in Michigan.

Dr. Robert Smart, Professor of Chemistry at Grand Valley State University. Smart helped commercialize SOLREX insulating foam, which can be used where lightweight, hydrolytically and chemically stable, high temperature thermal insulating materials are required. The foam is marketed by a company called Sordal.

Category II finalists ? more than $100 million in research expenditures annually ? were Dr. Neal Clinthorne, Professor of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology a the U-M. His technology lead to the creation of Xoran Technologies, a compact CT scanner company that has created 31 jobs, seven in Michigan.

Dr. Ramani Narayan, Professor of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Michigan State University. Narayan?s biodegradable technology lead to the creation of 40 jobs in Michigan.