First Annual Patent Medallion Luncheon Honors Four BME Professors

The College of Engineering and Tech Launch Arizona recognized 20 faculty members who have received patents for their research in the last year, including four from BME, at the first annual Patent Medallion Luncheon. 

Department Head  Arthur Gmitro was recognized for the patented invention Dithered Fiber-Bundle High-Resolution Imager. 

BME professor Jeong-Yeol Yoon was recognized for the patented invention Droplet Actuation Inhibition Relief and Sensing and Device and Method for Performing a Diagnostic Test. 

BME associate professor and associate department head of undergraduate affairs Urs Utzinger was recognized for the patented invention Falloposcope and Method for Ovarian Cancer Detection.

BME research assistant professor Jen Koevary was recognized for the patented invention Cardiac Electrophysiological Mapping.

Betsy Cantwell, senior vice president for research and innovation at the University of Arizona, said it takes courage to pursue entrepreneurship and go beyond what is traditionally expected of faculty members.

“[You are] adding to the plate that one of the things you want to do with your research is to have a different kind of impact,” she said. “That is a flavor of courage we are looking to support. … Thank you all for being courageous, whether you know it or not.”

With 82 invention disclosures, 95 patents filed and 25 patents issued in FY 2021, the College of Engineering is a leader at the University of Arizona in invention disclosures and patents. In its 2021 Annual Report, Tech Launch Arizona noted that the college was a standout in number of Asset Development awards and amount of total funding received to help advance early-stage inventions.