The University of Georgia’s Innovation Gateway recognized UGA employees named as inventors on U.S. patents, as well as UGA entrepreneurs who have formed new companies in calendar year 2014, at the sixth annual Inventors Luncheon in February.
A total of 41 patents naming UGA inventors were awarded to the UGA Research Foundation, Inc., last year: four plant patents, 34 utility patents and three plant variety protection certificates.
“The Office of the Vice President for Research started the luncheon six years ago as a way to recognize the innovative researchers who participate in the technology transfer process,” said Derek Eberhart, director of the Technology Commercialization Office. “At that time we honored 27 UGA inventors, but the program has expanded greatly in five years, and this year we recognized 56 UGA inventors and 13 entrepreneurs who recently formed companies based on UGA innovations and expertise.”
Innovation Gateway staff gathered with UGA deans and faculty to recognize each inventor and entrepreneur individually and to present them with two tokens of appreciation, a red and black picnic blankets printed with the words “UGA Innovator,” as well as a commemorative license plate for patent holders that reads “UGA INVNTR.”
“We are honored to work with so many innovative researchers and to fulfill our mission of serving the UGA community by connecting industry partners with university expertise and inventions,” Eberhart said. “We hope that by moving these technologies into the marketplace, we can advance the quality of life in Georgia and around the world.” In the last 35 years over 580 U.S. patents have been issued to the UGA Research Foundation, Inc., representing 525 products originating from UGA research.
In addition to recognizing inventors and entrepreneurs, three UGA faculty were honored for their recent selection as Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors: Michael Doyle, University of Georgia Regent’s Professor of Food Microbiology and director of UGA’s Center for Food Safety; Robert Ivarie, emeritus professor of genetics; and Michael Dirr, emeritus professor of horiticulture.
Innovation Gateway, which serves all UGA faculty and staff, evaluates UGA inventions for patentability and commercial potential, protects intellectual property rights, negotiates intellectual property agreements and facilitates strategic partnerships with industry. For UGA technologies that proceed through the startup route, Innovation Gateway accelerates the early growth of startups through access to space in its incubator, startup support services, seed funding and mentoring through partnership with the Georgia Research Alliance Ventures program.
For more information about the office or to connect with a licensing manager, please contact Innovation Gateway.