In celebration of Intellectual Property (IP) Month, the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) is proud to announce the launch of its newest program, Invention Ambassadors, created in partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The NAI Invention Ambassadors program is composed of accomplished inventors, innovators, entrepreneurs, and commercialization experts who will take part in speaking engagements across the nation. Through these engagements, the NAI Invention Ambassadors aim to celebrate and showcase the importance of academic invention, share best practices for the innovation ecosystem, and inspire the creation of a culture of inclusive innovation.
The inaugural cohort of Invention Ambassadors are from a cross-sector of innovation fields and offer a range of perspectives, cultures, genders, and expertise. They also include NAI Fellows, Honorary Members, and champions from NAI Member Institutions who will be able to share their unique insights. The Ambassadors will speak to diverse audiences across the country, including students, education leaders, STEM professionals, and other stakeholders within the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.
“As part of our mission, it is imperative to us that academic innovation and the inventors that make it possible are being recognized and celebrated for their contributions. This program not only recognizes impactful inventors by inviting them to join as NAI Invention Ambassadors, but aims to empower current and future inventors, leaders, and stakeholders by giving them the insights and guidance necessary to flourish in the innovation ecosystem.” said Paul Sanberg, FNAI, President of NAI. “Through this program, we are fulfilling the need to get inventors and innovation champions in front of audiences that will greatly benefit from their experience and expertise.”
“This program epitomizes the partnership and shared missions of the USPTO and NAI: to foster inclusive innovation, and expand access to invention for underserved communities,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO Kathi Vidal. “This is a national imperative that will lift communities and promote economic security and prosperity. Through their outreach, these passionate ambassadors will share valuable resources and information with future innovators and inspire them to participate in the innovation ecosystem.”
The inaugural cohort of Invention Ambassadors includes speakers with expertise in fields such as AI, sustainability and green technologies, and biomedicine and engineering, as well as subjects such as leadership, research, intellectual property, and technology licensing.
NAI Invention Ambassadors are selected on a yearly basis by NAI’s Selection Committee. The inaugural cohort includes:
- Corinne Augelli-Szafran – Southern Research Institute, NAIMem
- Issa Batarseh, FNAI – University of Central Florida, NAIMem
- Karen Burg, FNAI – University of Georgia, NAIMem
- Almesha Campbell, HonNAI – Jackson State University, NAIMem
- Dedric Carter – The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NAIMem
- Shigao Chen, FNAI – Mayo Clinic, NAIMem
- Rory Cooper, FNAI – University of Pittsburgh, NAIMem
- Atam Dhawan, FNAI – New Jersey Institute of Technology, NAIMem
- Anne DiSante – MIchigan State University, NAIMem
- Rob Duncan, FNAI – Texas Tech University, NAIMem
- Anna Leese de Escobar, FNAI – Technology Vector, Inc.
- Kenneth Ford, FNAI – Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC), NAIMem
- Erick Jones – Tompkins Ventures
- Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak, HonNAI – Georgetown University, NAIMem
- Mihri Ozkan, FNAI – University of California, Riverside, NAIMem
- Jamie Renee, HonNAI – National Academy of Inventors
- Dana Vouglitois, HonNAI – Florida Atlantic University, NAIMem
“We are excited to launch this program with such an impressive cohort of speakers. They have a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be invaluable to our Member Institutions and audiences across the nation who are interested in gleaning insights from the perspectives of these experts,” said Sanberg.” We encourage every institution, company, and organization wanting to elucidate their audiences on the importance of invention and best practices surrounding creating a culture of innovation to invite an Invention Ambassador to speak at their event.”
NAI Invention Ambassadors will be available for virtual and in-person speaking opportunities beginning October 1st in recognition of IP Month. IP Month is currently celebrated in several US states and highlights the vital role IP plays in innovation and economic development. The Academy aims to showcase the importance of IP as part of Invention Ambassadors and increase IP awareness with the hope that every state will celebrate IP Month.
To learn more about NAI Invention Ambassadors and to request them for speaking opportunities, click here.