In November 2016, the University of Central Florida inducted 29 charter faculty members into the newly established chapter for the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
Nine of the inductees are already named NAI Fellows. These Fellows are academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.
The NAI was founded to recognize and celebrate inventors with U.S.-issued patents, enhance the visibility of academic innovation, encourage the disclosure of intellectual property, mentor innovative students and translate the members’ inventions to benefit society.
“We share the same values as the NAI, and we are proud to partner with them to formally recognize the many achievements of our innovative faculty,” says Dr. Tom O’Neal, vice president of UCF’s Office of Research & Commercialization.
Dr. Issa Batarseh is the UCF NAI chapter founder and acting president; O’Neal is the chapter’s executive director.
“University research typically results in transformational innovations,” Batarseh says. “Unfortunately, when academia is doing the innovating, little attention is paid to it. With the creation of the UCF chapter, we are recognizing the faculty who have created intellectual property, which will encourage further academic innovation, citation, application and grants.”
A growing number of UCF professors carry out research with industrial agreements. And they embrace a culture of research that leads to commercialization. “This chapter will be a catalyst for academic innovation to engage with and receive support from venture capital, which will further enhance UCF’s economic impact,” Batarseh explains.
He goes on to say, “When we recognize faculty, the students who work with them will get excited and also want to do projects that lead to new ideas — and patent them. That’s the boost I’m hoping that this chapter will provide.”
UCF is one of Florida’s best-kept secrets. “But that’s not good for us,” says Batarseh, himself a professor of electrical engineering with several inventions and three startup companies to his credit. “This platform will put a spotlight on our innovative faculty members, and we hope the private sector will take notice.”
UCF is an economic engine attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation. With 13 colleges and 10 research centers and institutes, UCF is known as America’s Partnership University®. It is the nation’s second-largest university and
ranks among the nation’s most innovative schools.
For more information about the NAI UCF Chapter:
407-823-0185 • tt.research.ucf.edu/nai
National Academy of Inventors - UCF Chapter
541Issued U. S. Patents
64 Licenses Executed for Inductee-Developed Technology
20 Startup Companies
29 Inaugural Inductees
* Denotes NAI Fellow
Dr. John Ballantyne
Dr. Michael Bass*
Dr. Issa Batarseh*
Dr. Richardson Blair
Dr. Hyoung Cho
Dr. Lee Chow
Dr. Kevin Coffey
Dr. Peter Delfyett*
Dr. Aristide Dogariu
Dr. Leonid Glebov *
Dr. James Hickman
Dr. Qun Huo
Dr. Aravinda Kar
Dr. Alexander Katsevich
Dr. Annette Khaled
Dr. Guifang Li*
Dr. Juin Liou
Dr. Nazim Muradov
Danny Parker
Dr. Otto Phanstiel
Dr. Ali Raissi
Dr. Martin Richardson
Dr. Swadeshmukul Santra
Dr. Sudipta Seal*
Dr. Marwan Simaan*
Dr. MJ Soileau*
Dr. Kiminobu Sugaya
Dr. Martin Wanielista
Dr. Shin-Tson Wu*