The Greater Bentonville Chamber of Commerce and Ernst & Young, LLP, the global professional services firm, honored Ranu Jung, Ph.D., University of Arkansas associate vice chancellor, distinguished professor of biomedical engineering and founding executive director of the Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I³R), as Innovator of the Year during their breakout session at the 2023 NWA Tech Summit Tuesday.

The chamber's Innovator of the Year award, sponsored by Ernst & Young for the last several years, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding technical or entrepreneurial talent, contributed positively to Northwest Arkansas, and helped advance the region's economic ecosystem.

"I believe in a broad definition of innovation," says Jung. "A definition that includes innovation in how we think, how we solve problems and the way we work, in addition to the more traditional usage referring to scientific and technological advances. I³R embodies this expansive definition of innovation — we are doing new things, in new ways for the purpose of positive societal impact — and I'm delighted to accept the Innovator of the Year Award on behalf of our incredible, diverse team of researchers, engineers, social scientists, and operations leaders who through a convergence approach are bringing innovation to life.

A world-renowned researcher and innovator, Jung was selected in October 2021 to lead development of the Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research at the University of Arkansas, a university-wide entity designed to be a novel hub for advanced research and innovation leading to economic growth and development throughout the Northwest Arkansas region and the state of Arkansas.

"EY is committed to building a better working world," said Tara Murphree, partner in EY's local NWA office. "We believe in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship as catalysts for economic growth that is sustainable and inclusive. We're thrilled to recognize Dr. Ranu Jung for her exceptional commitment to effecting positive change through her innovative drive, entrepreneurial mindset, and visionary outlook."

Among her many distinguished accomplishments, Jung and her team developed the first wireless, implantable, intrafascicular neural-interface system for restoring sensations to individuals with upper limb amputation and received FDA approval to conduct a first-in-human trial. This work is having an impact in Arkansas. In May, it was announced that the first Arkansan and only second person in the world had received Jung's groundbreaking neural-enabled prosthetic hand system.

"Innovator of the Year is such a fitting recognition and testament to Ranu's impact on the university and our state," said Margaret Sova McCabe, University of Arkansas vice chancellor for research and innovation. "With a focus on research excellence, we know there is so much more to come, and we look forward to achieving even greater levels of innovation and collaboration under her leadership at I³R."

According to its mission statement, I³R pioneers solutions to wicked problems through convergence research across academic, industry, government, and non-profit sectors to make a positive societal impact by creating and deploying innovations at scale.