38 GW faculty members were inducted into the university's newly launched chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) last week. Founded in 2010, NAI is dedicated to fostering cultures of innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship within and between academic institutions. In collaboration with GW's Technology Commercialization Office (TCO), the NAI chapter will provide resources and networking opportunities to established inventors as well as a mentorship platform for the next generation of inventors.
“This chapter will be a great tool to help increase collaboration and boost the impact of our collective work,” Vice Provost for Research Pamela Norris said at the launch. “We have a strong culture of GW innovation and entrepreneurship [which] is possible thanks to our visionary faculty, staff, postdocs, students—individuals that can think beyond their labs and imagine their discoveries making the world a better place.”
Eight NAI Fellows have been inducted while at GW, including current faculty members Robert H. Miller, Akos Vertes, Mona Zaghloul and Michael Keider. (Keider also will receive GW's inaugural Inventor of the Year award at this year's Faculty Honors Ceremony.)
GW School of Engineering and Applied Science Dean John Lach echoed Norris on the importance of honoring innovators and moving promising research beyond the laboratory.
“When I think about why we're all here, what are we doing—especially with our research mission—the word that always comes to mind for me is impact,” Lach said. “We are creating knowledge to have an impact and make the world a better place.”
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