Innovators Honored for Making an Impact

Twenty-seven university faculty members were inducted into the UCF Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors at the second-annual gala on campus Thursday.

The scientists, who represent a cross section of the university, including engineering, optics, biomedical, energy, nanoscience, advanced materials and chemistry, cumulatively hold 127 of the 990 patents the university has claimed since 1989. Several of the technologies they developed have been licensed and several inductees have launched their own companies to help get their inventions to market. To be invited to join the chapter researchers had to contribute to at least five patents.

“Finding innovative solutions to today’s challenges is a major reason universities conduct research,” said Elizabeth Klonoff, Vice President of Research and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. “The recognition is well deserved, because those selected are making a difference in our community.”

The chapter leadership also recognized  Pres. John C. Hitt for making significant contributions to advancing innovation at the university. He was honored with the chapter’s Champion of Innovation Award and was also inducted into the chapter as an honorary member.

Among those inducted into the chapter:

College of Medicine researcher William Self who worked with Sudipta Seal, a professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. He developed a nanomaterial-based coating for prosthetic implants to help reduce inflammation and bone loss. Self has five awarded patents, including three that were recently licensed to Orlando-based Biocurity.  Biocurity’s initial product is a topical cream, infused with a similar nanomaterial-based coating, to prevent tissue damage among breast cancer patients undergoing radiation treatments.

Mubarak Shah, a Trustee Chair Professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science and director of UCF’s Center for Research in Computer vision.  Shah and his team have developed a technology that improves that ability to complete facial recognition in photos and videos, which has the potential to help aid in identifying suspicious behavior in large scale events.  Human analytics company Kairos has licensed the technology.  Shah is the lead inventor on five patents.

UCF has a reputation for being innovative. The Milken Institute ranked UCF 22nd in the nation for technology transfer – the process by which academic research is developed into new technologies, products and companies. UCF was also ranked 41st in the world for U.S. patents issued in 2016 by the National Academy of Inventors and Intellectual Property Owners Association.

The UCF NAI chapter launched last year with the induction of 29 researchers.

Founded in 2010, the NAI is a non-profit organization with more than 3,000 members. The NAI seeks to recognize and encourage inventors with U.S. patents, enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the disclosure of intellectual property, educate and mentor innovative students, and translate its members’ inventions to benefit society.

The complete list of inductees can be found here:    https://tt.research.ucf.edu/nai/ ^[1]