UArizona inventors recognized at the National Academy of Inventors Annual Meeting
Left to right: Newly inducted NAI Fellows Mark Van Dyke, Terry Matsunaga, Laurence Hurley, and Liesl Folks.
Paul Tumarkin/Tech Launch Arizona
On June 14 and 15, 2022, the National Academy of Inventors gathered for its 11th annual meeting at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass in Phoenix, Arizona. The event included ceremonies honoring the newest class of NAI Senior Members and Fellows, which included five UArizona inventors. This year's honorees were originally announced in December.
This past year, four UArizona researchers received the designation of Senior Member, recognizing faculty, scientists, and administrators with success in patents, licensing, and commercialization, and have produced technologies that have brought or aspire to impact society. The cohort includes Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Robin Polt; Dr. Steven Goldman, professor of medicine at the Sarver Heart Center; Stanley Pau, professor of optical sciences and electrical and computer engineering; and Judith Su, assistant professor of optical sciences and biomedical engineering. Polt was present at the event to accept his award.
Four UArizona faculty members received the designation of Fellow, the organization's highest honor granted to those inventors who have demonstrated an inventive spirit, and whose inventions have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and societal welfare. The UArizona recipients included: Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Liesl Folks, College of Pharmacy Professor Emeritus Laurence Hurley, College of Medicine - Tucson Professor Terry Matsunaga, and College of Engineering Associate Dean of Research Mark Van Dyke.
Aside from the awards ceremonies, the meeting also included many discussions and panels. UArizona Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation Betsy Cantwell participated on a panel of university vice presidents that focused on innovation and impact, and TLA Assistant Vice President Doug Hockstad served as an expert on a panel about technology transfer.
UArizona College of Engineering Ph.D. student Tucker Stuart was accepted as one of six students from across the nation to present at the Next Generation Innovators session. He showcased his work on wireless devices to monitor health.
The Vice President's Panel included UArizona Sr. Vice President for Research & Innovation Elizabeth Cantwell, Colorado School of Mines Vice President for Research Dr. Walter Copan, University of Houston Vice Chancellor/Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer Dr. Amr Elnashai, and ASU Knowledge Enterprise Vice President of Research Dr. Matthew Hulver, and was moderated by University of Washington Executive Director and Professor Dr. Rodney Ho.
Robin Polt (center) received a special challenge coin for the Senior Member designation, presented by NAI President Paul Sandberg (left) and USPTO Director of Community Engagement Paul Rosenthal (right).
One of the panel discussions was dedicated to the topic of technology transfer. It was moderated by AUTM CEO Stephen Susalka (left), and panelists included (left to right) TLA Assistant Vice President Doug Hockstad, University of Kentucky Technology Commercialization Office Director Taunya Phillips, NC State University Assistant Vice Chancellor Wade Fulghum, and Caltech Chief Innovation Officer, Technology Transfer and Corporate Partnerships Fred Farina.
UA Provost Liesl Folks (center) received the honor of NAI Fellow, presented by NAI President Paul Sandberg (left) and USPTO Eastern Regional Outreach Director Elizabeth Dougherty (right).
UArizona College of Pharmacy Professor Emeritus Laurence Hurley (center) received the honor of NAI Fellow, presented by NAI President Paul Sandberg (left) and USPTO Eastern Regional Outreach Director Elizabeth Dougherty (right).
College of Medicine - Tucson Professor Terry Matsunaga (center) received the honor of NAI Fellow, presented by NAI President Paul Sandberg (left) and USPTO Eastern Regional Outreach Director Elizabeth Dougherty (right).
College of Engineering Associate Dean of Research Mark Van Dyke (center) received the honor of NAI Fellow, presented by NAI President Paul Sandberg (left) and USPTO Eastern Regional Outreach Director Elizabeth Dougherty (right).
UArizona College of Engineering PhD student Tucker Stuart was accepted as one of six students from across the nation to present at the Next Generation Innovators session. He showcased his work on wireless devices to monitor health.
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