News Archive

A strategic pivot helped JellyCoUSA co-founder earn Entrepreneur of the Year

A person wearing a cream-colored sweater applies skincare product to their forehead, looking at the camera.

By Brandon Ward Video By Brandon Ward https://youtube.com/watch?v=Tj2kJbReb6I%3Fsi%3DtmSUWH2clGCJH17p%3Frel%3D0 What began as a coastal challenge ultimately formed the foundation of University of Georgia startup, JellyCoUSA. During the summer and fall, cannonball jellyfish are abundant along Georgia’s coastline. In fact, cannonball jellyfish can make up over 16% of the region’s biomass. When ...

From concept to commercialization, faculty address agricultural challenges through Innovation Bootcamp

Several adults sit around a table in a creative workspace, writing or drawing on paper with art supplies, surrounded by notebooks, cups, and informational materials.

By Jacob Harper April 3, 2026 | 4 min readSharePrint UGA faculty collaborate during an Innovation Bootcamp session at the Delta Innovation Hub, exploring ways to translate research into real-world agricultural solutions. (Photo by Brandon Ward) Takeaways UGA Innovation Bootcamp supports faculty in moving research beyond the lab by emphasizing industry ...

Love, loss, and a mission of hope for future cancer patients

An older man with a gray beard and mustache smiles, facing left. He is indoors with blurred chairs and tables in the background, radiating hope for future cancer patients.

By Brandon Ward Video By Brandon Ward https://youtube.com/watch?v=IkwnmnOetUg%3Fsi%3Dfg4m-rwGzAeNL6dV%3Frel%3D0 When Stephen Hajduk saw Ann Steadman on the first day of English 101 at the University of Georgia, he pushed past several others to sit right behind her. “I sat behind her because she had this beautiful, flowing black hair,” Hajduk said ...

‘A chance to ring the bell’: How a UGA startup is changing the fight against cancer

Three people stand together in a laboratory surrounded by scientific equipment and supplies on lab benches, representing a UGA startup dedicated to the fight against cancer.

By Brandon Ward Eric DeJesus, Stephen Hajduk, and Michael Cipriano of Annate Bitherapeutics are developing a cancer therapeutic that harnesses the innate human immune system to destroy cancer cells. Under the guidance of Hajduk, former professor and head of UGA’s Department of Biochemistry, DeJesus earned his Ph.D. at UGA. Cipriano ...

UGA gains six more National Academy of Inventors Senior Members

A black iron arch stands in front of a white classical building with columns at UGA, surrounded by trees and sunlight streaming through the leaves—a setting worthy of National Academy of Inventors Senior Members.

By Melania Pacheco (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA) Distinction recognizes researchers for patented discoveries and entrepreneurial efforts The National Academy of Inventors has selected six University of Georgia researchers as 2026 NAI Senior Members, underscoring the university’s strong momentum in innovation and commercialization. With these latest elections, UGA now has ...

From lab to market: UGA startups pitch to investors

A black iron archway stands at the entrance of a stone pathway, flanked by trees and a white columned building under a clear sky.

Feb 20, 2026 — By Mike Wooten Campus News Innovation District hosts first Investors Day Some of the most promising startup companies sparked by University of Georgia research pitched their innovative ideas to a group of potential investors at the UGA Innovation District’s first Investors Day. Held at the Delta ...

Lehmann-Karp to deliver Startup 101 lecture

A black iron arch stands in front of a white, columned building surrounded by trees and landscaping on a sunny day.

Feb 20, 2026 Campus News (UGA File Photo) (UGA File Photo) Stefan Lehmann-Karp, executive director and portfolio manager for Morgan Stanley Inclusive and Sustainable Ventures, will deliver a lecture as part of Innovation Gateway’s spring Startup 101 series on March 4 at the Delta Innovation Hub. Drawing on more than ...

Ruter, Yan named National Academy of Inventors Fellows

Yan stands beside Ruter, each in separate settings; Yan wears glasses and a checkered shirt, while Ruter is dressed in a blazer and grey shirt—both distinguished members of the National Academy of Inventors.

Ruter, Yan named National Academy of Inventors Fellows By Brandon Ward University of Georgia professors John Ruter and Yajun Yan. (Submitted photos) UGA has 19 faculty members who have received this honor since 2012 University of Georgia professors John Ruter and Yajun Yan have been elected Fellows of the National ...

Ideas to impact: A decade of growth at Innovation Gateway

Exterior of Terrell Hall with two people walking outside. Text reads, Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Innovation Gateway on a red background.

By Brandon Ward and Melania Pacheco For the past decade, Innovation Gateway has been the heartbeat of the University of Georgia’s mission to translate groundbreaking research into real-world solutions. A bold vision at launch, it has blossomed into a technology commercialization operation consistently ranked among the nation’s best. To mark ...

Dan Geller named director of startups in Innovation Gateway

A man in a gray suit and tie, director of startups at Innovation Gateway, stands smiling at the camera in front of a blue geometric-patterned wall and a white panel.

By Brandon Ward Innovation Gateway, the University of Georgia’s technology commercialization and startup arm, has named Dan Geller its new director of the Innovation Gateway Startup Program. Geller assumed this role on Oct. 1 after serving as assistant director since 2020. “I’m excited to welcome Dr. Geller as director of ...

Design, build, innovate: UGA’s CREATE Labs provides prototyping possibilities

A person stands with arms crossed in front of a 3D printer and a sign reading Welcome to Fabulous Athens Georgia, showcasing the spirit of innovation at UGA CREATE Labs in a dynamic prototyping workspace.

By Brandon Ward View Slideshow Tucked into a corner of the Delta Innovation Hub, the University of Georgia’s grand presentation and office space for startups, is the tinkering studio of the newly headquartered CREATE Labs. CREATE—short for the Center for Research, Engineering, And Technological Exploration—started as an idea of UGA ...

UGA tops AUTM rankings for 3rd consecutive year

A peanut plant with green leaves shows its roots and freshly harvested peanuts still attached, lying on dark soil—celebrating UGA’s success in the AUTM rankings for the 3rd consecutive year.

By Brandon Ward UGA’s new products from research include two disease-resistant peanut cultivars developed by National Academy of Inventors Fellow Bill Branch that have been credited with saving the southeastern U.S. peanut. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker) For the third consecutive year, the University of Georgia ranked No. 1 among ...

Pioneering the next generation of medical technologies

Close-up of a green microchip on a black surface with several probe needles connected to it for electronic testing or next generation medical technologies experimentation.

By John Tibbetts Pictured is a closeup of an epileptic seizure detection device created by biomedical engineering Ph.D. student Ashley Galanti. Her startup, AMG Detection, is developing a wearable smart wristband with a semiconductor chip that can detect nine pre-seizure compounds released as gases from the skin. (Photo by Andrew ...

UGA cohosts 14th annual NAI conference in Atlanta

A man in a blue suit speaks at a clear podium with a microphone, holding papers, during the NAI conference. A cityscape with tall Atlanta buildings is visible through large windows behind him.

The University of Georgia cohosted the 14th annual National Academy of Inventors conference on June 23-26 in Atlanta, where it celebrated the induction of eight new Senior Members and one new Fellow into the academy. One of the highest recognitions for innovators, the new members highlight the university’s impact and ...

Cultivating the future of plant genetics

A man with glasses sits at a desk in an office, sorting seeds into envelopes. A large potted plant and a sign reading Ab10 Model are visible, reflecting the future of plant genetics.

By Brandon Ward Kelly Dawe, Distinguished Research Professor in UGA’s Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, examines kernels in his office. His groundbreaking work in maize genetics has helped reshape how researchers understand—and improve—this vital crop. (Photo by Brandon Ward) Before Kelly Dawe became a pioneering geneticist, his affinity for ...

Annate Bitherapeutics represents UGA at Southeastern Venture Showcase

A man in a suit presents to an audience at the Southeastern Venture Showcase, standing before a screen displaying “Annate Bitherapeutics: Developing New Possibilities,” highlighting innovative work from UGA.

By Brandon Ward Here, Eric DeJesus presents on the Southeastern Venture Showcase. At its core, the Showcase reflects a shift in how early-stage research ventures grow: through momentum, networking, and trust. For Annate Bitherapeutics and its peers, face time with the right people can be just as valuable as funding ...

UGA launches National Academy of Inventors chapter

By Brandon Ward UGA’s chapter of the National Academy of Inventors launches with 31 founding members composed of faculty from a range of disciplines. (Photo by Brandon Ward) The academy promotes innovation and the societal impact of academic inventions The University of Georgia officially launched its chapter of the National ...

Handa, Orlando named Regents’ Entrepreneurs

By Brandon Ward The University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved UGA’s Hitesh Handa and Ron Orlando as Regents’ Entrepreneurs at its Feb. 11 meeting. This honor acknowledges faculty members who have successfully transformed research into commercial applications. Initially granted for three years with the possibility of extension, the ...

Innovation Gateway celebrates innovators and entrepreneurs

Two innovators indoors hold novelty license plates reading UGA INVNTR at an Innovation Gateway event, with other attendees and tables in the background.

For the first time since 2019, Innovation Gateway hosted an Innovation Celebration on Feb. 5, honoring University of Georgia inventors and entrepreneurs for their contributions over the past five years. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Gateway would host an annual luncheon to celebrate the achievements of UGA innovators over the ...

Eight professors named NAI Senior Members

Aerial view of a university campus with multiple academic buildings surrounded by trees, home to distinguished professors and NAI Senior Members, photographed at sunset.

This year’s UGA inductees represent a record for the institution. The National Academy of Inventors has selected eight University of Georgia researchers as 2025 NAI Senior Members, surpassing its own record of five inductees set last year. UGA now has 24 Senior Members overall.“We are thrilled to celebrate these latest ...

Branch named National Academy of Inventors Fellow

A man in a hat, recognized as an NAI Fellow, speaks into a microphone next to a truck displaying a large sign listing features of the GEORGIA-06G crop variety in an agricultural field.

By Brandon Ward Bill Branch has been elected as Fellow for the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Branch’s groundbreaking work in peanut breeding has led to the development of more than 30 novel, licensed peanut varieties. (Photo courtesy of UGA CAES) William “Bill” D. Branch, a professor in the College ...

Season of giving: Reboot brings Innovation Bootcamp alumni together

Eight people, including the University of Georgia mascot in a bulldog suit, pose for a group photo indoors near an Innovation District banner during an Innovation Bootcamp, celebrating alumni and the season of giving.

’Tis the season of giving, and Innovation Bootcamp alumni are doing just that. A group came together at Innovation Gateway’s latest Reboot event on Dec. 2, providing food, drinks, and networking opportunities for past Bootcamp participants. Reboot is a biannual event for Bootcamp alumni to get to know fellow participants ...

UGA again ranks No. 1 in new research-based products

A gloved hand holds a six-well plate with pink liquid; a pipette deposits liquid into one of the wells on a laboratory bench at UGA, known for its No. 1 research-based products.

By Brandon Ward UGA industry partners and startups released a record 66 new products The University of Georgia once again ranks No. 1 among U.S. universities for the number of commercial products to market based on its research, according to an annual survey conducted by AUTM. For nine straight years, ...

Innovation Gateway partners with Center for Black Entrepreneurship on new SBA grant

Three young adults stand outside, talking and smiling. Two men wear business attire; the woman wears a casual black jacket. A modern building, possibly part of the Innovation Gateway, is visible in the background.

By Brandon Ward In partnership with the Center for Black Entrepreneurship, Innovation Gateway is one of 49 recipients of the Federal and State Technology Grant, receiving $200,000 to support proposals for Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer. (Photo courtesy of Center for Black Entrepreneurship) Innovation Gateway will ...

Georgia Bio awards recognize UGA inventor, corporate partners

A man in a suit stands in a laboratory, smiling at the camera, while two researchers in lab coats work with scientific equipment and review product details in the background.

By Carson McAfee Professor Qingguo “Jack” Huang and collaborators discovered an electrochemical process to degrade dangerous “forever chemicals” in water. The solution has been licensed and is marketed under the name DE-FLUORO. University of Georgia Professor Qingguo “Jack” Huang, Delta Innovation Hub resident company Dalan Animal Health, and Athens manufacturer ...