University Accepted Into National Academy of Inventors

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Jim Rankin, University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas has become a charter member of the National Academy of Inventors, a nonprofit organization founded in 2010 in order to recognize investigators at universities and non-profit research institutes who translate their research findings into inventions that benefit society.

The university was notified of its acceptance into the organization last fall. The academy, located at the University of South Florida in Tampa, currently has 46 charter member institutions and more than 2,000 individual academic inventor members.

“Becoming a charter member of the National Academy of Inventors reflects the University of Arkansas’ commitment to commercializing our research,” said Jim Rankin, vice provost of research and economic development. “We look forward to working with the academy in enhancing the visibility of the university as an academic partner, resource and catalyst for Arkansas and beyond.”

The benefits of becoming a member institution of the academy include: the public recognition for academic inventors who hold patents, including faculty, staff, alumni and affiliates; the encouragement of creative thinking and a spirit of innovation across campus; and the promotion and enhancement of the development and commercialization of university and research institute patents and inventions.

“Patented intellectual property originating at universities and nonprofit research institutions is playing an increasingly vital role in the global economy, in everything from job creation to raising the quality of health care,” said Paul R. Sanberg, president of the academy and senior vice president for research and innovation at the University of South Florida. ‘Translating academic research and innovation is more important than ever.”

Member institutions include the flagship universities of Alabama, Nebraska and Texas as well as Auburn University, Emory University and Ohio University. The academy edits the international journal Technology and Innovation – Proceedings of the National Academy of Inventors.