National Academy of Inventors partners with PMU to recognize three exceptional innovators

(Press-News.org) The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) is proud to announce the recipients of the inaugural Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University (PMU)-National Academy of Inventors International Patent Award. This year’s recipients will be honored at a special ceremony on December 12th, 2024 at PMU’s campus in Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The PMU-NAI International Patent Award was created to recognize and honor distinguished scientists, research institutions, research centers, and universities across the globe for their outstanding patents and inventions that create positive societal impact. This year, the award nomination process had overwhelming participation with 61 applicants representing over 30 institutions around the world. From this pool of applicants, a prize recipient was chosen in each of the 3 prize categories: 1st place, to be awarded $25,000; 2nd place, to be awarded $15,000; and 3rd place, to be awarded $10,000. The Award prize will assist in funding the commercialization of the innovator’s patented technology.

"As the role of Prince Mohammad bin Fahd University extends beyond the campus, focusing on fostering innovation and sharing knowledge on a broader scale. We are happy to be an NAI Sustaining Member Institution, committed to recognizing and celebrating inventors not only for their impactful contributions but also for their dedication to translating and scaling up their innovations into transformative technologies that make a meaningful difference,” said Dr. Faisal Yousif, Vice President for Academic Affairs at PMU. 

“We are proud to partner with the Academy in their mission to recognize and support inventors who are driving positive change through their work. This shared commitment to innovation and the protection of intellectual property enables us to celebrate those who are not only advancing groundbreaking ideas but also ensuring that their inventions can make a meaningful impact. Today, we are pleased to honor three outstanding scientists whose dedication to safeguarding their intellectual property has allowed their innovations to flourish and benefit society."

 This year’s recipients include:

1st Place: Tara Alvarez, Distinguished Professor, New Jersey Institute of Technology. Awarded for her patent “Method, system, and apparatus for treatment of binocular dysfunctions”. This innovation allows for a higher standard of care for patients with binocular dysfunction by utilizing virtual reality to record and analyze eye movements for improved therapies, while minimizing negative side effects, such as headache, fatigue, and blurred vision. 2nd Place: Shane Farritor, David B. and Nancy K. Lederer Professor of Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Awarded for his patent “Robotically Assisted Surgical System and Related Devices and Methods”. His MIRA (“miniaturized in vivo robotic assistant”) Surgical System is the first articulating miniature robot designed to be physically inserted into the body to perform surgery, enabling minimally invasive robotic surgery and reduced hospital stays and complications for patients. Its compact size and lower cost of operation allows it to be deployed in rural medical facilities, military battlefields, developing countries, and even in space. 3rd Place: Susan Trammell, Professor of Physics and Optical Science, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Awarded for her patent “Methods and compositions for biopreservation”. Her preservation method through an amorphous matrix helps in creating precise drying and temperature control, which is essential for preserving sensitive biological samples. This preservation method can be applied in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, in biotechnologies and research settings, and across the agriculture industry. “This award highlights the importance of intellectual property protection and value of the U.S. patent not just within the U.S., but across the globe. More and more international inventors are pursuing U.S. patents, highlighting its strength in the global marketplace and the crucial role it plays in translating and advancing fundamental technologies,” said Dr. Sanberg, FNAI, President of the NAI.  “PMU’s mission of transformative impact and their commitment to the global innovation community makes them the perfect partner for an award recognizing innovators at an international level. It is an honor to partner with them to recognize these incredible individuals who have developed meaningful innovations and are actively translating them to the world marketplace for the benefit of society.” 

To be considered for the award, inventors must have received a patent from the United States Patent Office (USPTO) for their innovative idea in the past 5 years and once their technology is translated and/or scaled up, must plausibly create a positive impact for society. They must also be affiliated with an NAI Member Institution. Learn more about the PMU-NAI International Patent Award.

About the National Academy of Inventors

The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutes, with over 4,000 individual inventor members and Fellows spanning more than 250 institutions. It was founded in 2010 to recognize and encourage inventors with patents issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the disclosure of intellectual property, educate and mentor innovative students, and translate the inventions of its members to benefit society. The Academy and the USPTO have enjoyed a collaborative partnership since the founding of NAI. Most recently this has been reflected in their joint mission to expand access to underrepresented individuals and institutions participating in the invention and innovation ecosystem. www.academyofinventors.org

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