Georgia Tech Co-hosts NAI Annual Conference in Atlanta; Two Professors Inducted as NAI Fellows

Georgia Tech Co-hosts NAI Annual Conference in Atlanta; Two Professors Inducted as NAI Fellows

Georgia Tech, alongside Emory University, the University of Georgia, Georgia State University, and Morehouse School of Medicine, proudly co-hosted the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 14th Annual Conference from June 23rd to 26th at Loews Hotel in Midtown Atlanta. The flagship event brought together top minds in innovation, with Georgia Tech playing a central role in both content and leadership.

As a host institution, Georgia Tech helped organize and lead plenaries, panels, and the welcome reception, all on the theme of “Forward Together: Innovating With Purpose.” The conference opened with a celebration of art’s influence on scientific discovery. Each host institution presented an artistic element, such as live music, visual art, or interactive showcases. These elements demonstrated their approach to the fusion of creativity and innovation. Georgia Tech’s Michael Dixon from the Central Commercialization Office, Mary Albertson from the Office of Technology Licensing, and Raghupathy “Siva” Sivakumar, Vice President of Commercialization and Chief Commercialization Officer, assisted in preparing conference panels and had speaking roles during the event. 

One notable moment at the NAI Conference was Georgia Tech’s recognition as an NAI Top 100 Worldwide University for granted U.S. utility patents in 2024. Georgia Tech Research Corporation ranks 28th with just over 100 patents. According to Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, President of the National Academy of Inventors, “The Top 100 Worldwide list showcases the vital role U.S. patents play in moving technologies from bench to marketplace at academic institutions around the globe.”

NAI also recognized its 2024 Class of Fellows, the highest professional distinction awarded exclusively to inventors. The latest cohort comprises 170 inventors from research universities, governmental and non-profit research institutions around the world, including two professors from Georgia Tech: Larry Heck and Younan Xia. 

Heck holds a joint appointment in the Schools of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Interactive Computing and serves as executive director of the Machine Learning Center. As an industry leader, he co-created Microsoft’s Cortana virtual assistant, headed Samsung Bixby North America, and led artificial intelligence at Google and Viv Labs. Heck is an IEEE Fellow, holds more than 50 patents, and has amassed nearly 11,000 citations. 

Xia holds the Brock Family Chair and is recognized as a Georgia Research Alliance (GRA) Eminent Scholar in Nanomedicine within the Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering. And, he has joint appointments in the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Xia is the co-inventor of soft lithography, a set of techniques used to create tiny patterns on surfaces, often for manufacturing microchips, sensors, or medical devices. He also made breakthroughs in silver nanowires and gold nanocages with applications in flexible electronics, catalysis, and cancer theranostics. As a globally recognized researcher, Xia has authored around 900 publications, garnered 200,000 citations, holds more than 65 U.S. patents, and has received national and international awards.

Since its founding in 2012, the NAI Fellows program has recognized 22 researchers and inventors from Georgia Tech, including 12 in the last five years.

This year’s NAI Conference theme, “Forward Together: Innovating with Purpose,” focused on how inventors and institutions can collaborate to achieve technological breakthroughs and innovation that create a positive, lasting impact in the world. Georgia Tech leadership provided organizational support and event coordination for the conference. They also participated in panel discussions on topics such as how universities navigate innovation, funding, and faculty support in today's rapidly evolving environment. 

Representatives from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and other government departments also participated in the event. 

Through the Central Commercialization Office, Office of Technology Licensing, and other strategic guidance, Georgia Tech is committed to supporting innovation, commercialization, and helping inventors secure patents for their ideas. The Institute is ranked in the top 100 of patents issued globally. By co-hosting high-impact national conferences, Georgia Tech continues to solidify its position as a leader in technology and its impact on entrepreneurship. Discover how the Institute is transforming research into real-world applications at commercialization.gatech.edu.

Georgia Tech’s Office of Commercialization is a cornerstone in turning the Institute’s leading-edge research into real-world applications and championing student entrepreneurial pursuits. It comprises four key units: CREATE-X, VentureLab, Quadrant-i, and Technology Licensing. These units empower students and faculty to launch startups, manage intellectual property, and transform research ideas into positive societal impact. Our mission is to accelerate innovation and improve the human condition, solidifying Georgia Tech’s leadership in technology and entrepreneurship.