In June, University of Georgia doctoral student Anastasia Marx was awarded the National Academy of Inventors Dr. Barry Bercu Biomedical University Inventor prize at the 2026 NAI Annual Conference. Her research focuses on developing new nitric oxide-based technologies to prevent and treat infections associated with medical devices.
Marx studies biomedical engineering at UGA and is working to become a patent lawyer specializing in biomedical technology. With a fascination for law, medicine, and engineering, she is fusing all three into innovation with impact.
In this interview, Marx discusses her award-winning research, how she became passionate about developing safer medical technologies, and that potential impact on preventing infections.
Can you explain the challenge of your research and why you are so passionate about it?
When you are treated at the hospital, there is a high chance of getting an infection. When bacteria get into wounds via devices like catheters, implants, or wound dressings, they can mature and form a structured community called a biofilm. Once that happens, the bacteria become much harder to eliminate because they’re surrounded by a protective matrix that prevents standard treatments. Antibiotics that work well against individual bacteria can now be up to 1,000 times less effective against mature biofilms. But our bodies already have a natural weapon against bacteria: nitric oxide.
My invention, nitric oxide-releasing dimercaptosuccinic acid (NO-DMSA), repurposes DMSA—an FDA-approved medication used clinically to remove heavy metals from the body—into a new, water-soluble, nitric oxide-releasing compound.
Nitric oxide is naturally produced by our bodies and plays an important role in fighting bacteria and regulating healing. I developed a way to transform DMSA into a stable, solid nitric oxide-releasing compound that can potentially be incorporated into medical device materials. What makes this especially exciting is that NO-DMSA was able to eliminate more than 94% of mature biofilms across four clinically relevant bacterial species, while remaining compatible with mammalian cells within its effective range.
What do you hope the lasting impact of this research will be?
First, as resistant infections continue to rise worldwide, innovations like NO‑DMSA can shift society toward a future where treatment is proactive rather than reactive. I hope this research demonstrates that we don’t always have to start from scratch to develop new medical technologies.
If we rethink molecules we already understand and can give them new functions, we may be able to move promising technologies toward patients faster because we already have information about things like toxicity and how a compound behaves in the body. I want to see if I can potentially move nitric oxide-based antibacterial technology into real medical applications simply by repurposing what we already have.
Second, I want to help patients avoid infections. There are hundreds of ways for bacteria to cause an infection, and I hope to build a broader understanding of how we can use our body’s own defenses to prevent infections before they become difficult to treat.
How did your experiences as an Innovation Gateway intern help you understand the process of turning research into innovation?
Innovation Gateway broadened my understanding of what happens before and after a patent. The team taught me to translate complex research into technology briefs non-scientists could understand, communicate effectively with professors and researchers, conduct patentability searches across fields often unfamiliar to me, and understand the importance of tools like nondisclosure agreements in protecting early-stage ideas.
Most importantly, Innovation Gateway showed me that turning research into innovation is not a single step or skill. It requires understanding the science, identifying what is truly novel and how to frame claims around the invention, communicating its value, and ultimately identifying potential adopters of the technology and how to reach them. It also means recognizing how to best protect the intellectual property; sometimes we must consider licensing agreements, trade secrets, and other avenues beyond patents.
Tell us about the moment you learned you had won the Dr. Barry Bercu Biomedical University Inventor Prize?
I didn’t believe it at first. A little backstory: I met my mentor for the National Academy of Inventors, Carrie White, through Innovation Gateway. Last year the annual conference was in Atlanta, and [Innovation Gateway Executive Director] Derek Eberhart and the team encouraged me to attend as a student volunteer. I learned about the process, the variety of people you meet, and saw some of the faculty presenters. That’s where I met my mentor. A year later, she sent me the email telling me that I had won the award. I was in disbelief and immediately called her. You get so used to hearing “no” in research that there was a bit of laughter and crying.
The research itself was received wonderfully. I met amazing researchers, inventors, and kids at the Student Showcase, where I enjoyed discussing my research and being asked difficult—but fair—questions. Those questions challenged me to think about my research in new ways and, more importantly, how I could make it better. That kind of feedback is something you don’t always get.
What was it like attending the NAI Conference and being surrounded by some of the world’s leading innovators?
It was incredibly humbling. You want to just listen and absorb everything you can. But the surprising part is how genuinely supportive the professors and inventors are. They have so much faith and belief in your path forward. [NAI Senior Director] Paul Corson was incredibly kind and supportive, [U.S. Technology Leadership Council Board Chairman] Eric Haseltine showed me how far you can push the boundaries of your skills, and [University of Utah Distinguished Professor] David Grainger asked thoughtful and challenging questions about the research and bacterial set-ups in the field. I was even lucky enough to meet Robert Langer, a renowned biotechnologist, before I accepted my award.
The conference theme was “From Discovery to Destiny.” What does that phrase mean to you now, especially after receiving this award?
The meaning of the phrase is twofold. First, there is the discovery itself. I created this molecule, developed a manuscript around it, made an impact against biofilms, and connected with people who can help translate it into a real-world technology. After all of that, I feel a responsibility to give this molecule its best chance at continued impact.
The second is more personal. It’s very difficult to be between two fields, and I’ve been working toward that intersection for probably close to a decade. Engineering taught me how to create and solve problems, while patent law showed me how those innovations can be protected and brought into the world. The fact that I have found a conference that acknowledges both sides is confirmation that I never really had to choose between them.