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Technology and Innovation, Vol. 19, pp. 567-568, 2018 ISSN 1949-8241 • E-ISSN 1949-825X
Printed in the USA. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.21300/19.3.2018.567
Copyright © 2018 National Academy of Inventors. www.technologyandinnovation.org

PILLARS OF ACADEMIC INNOVATION:
THE SIXTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE NAI

1
Todd Keiller , Edith Mathiowitz 2
1 Intellectual Property and Innovation, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA, USA
2 Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

The sixth annual conference of the National Acad- and its ability to restore vision to patients
emy of Inventors (NAI) focused on the pillars of through the electrical stimulation of the retina
academic innovation: public policy and industry • Dr. Isiah M. Warner et al. describe the great
partnerships, the recognition of entrepreneurial results in improving retention and graduation
faculty, and the mentoring of the next generation of for STEM majors achieved by the Louisiana
academic inventors. To that end, conference events Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathe-
focused on an impressive slate of speakers and pan- matics (LA-STEM) Research Scholars Program
elists who explored these topics, a gala at the John F. at Louisiana State University
Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum to recognize • Dr. Nasser Peyghambarian and his co-authors
and honor new Fellows, and the first-ever Student review his significant experience with com-
Innovation Showcase. mercialization of his inventions within the
The issue kicks off with an article summarizing university and offer lessons that can be drawn
the highlights from the conference written by Dr. from that experience
Kimberly Macuare of the NAI, Mr. Todd Keiller of • Ru Xie et al., participants in the first Student
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Dr. Paul Sanberg Showcase, discuss their work in creating
of the NAI. Following, we have six invited papers that ultra-stretchable conductive materials for
highlight some of the top-notch conference presen- wearable technologies. Following this paper,
tations from this year’s meeting. you can read all of the abstracts from this year’s
Student Innovation Showcase
• Dr. Hany Farid examines how to rein in online • Dr. Karen Burg provides an introductory arti-
abuses, such as radicalization propaganda and cle on NAI chapters as a prologue to a new
child pornography T&I feature: The NAI Chapter Spotlight. In
• Dr. Mark S. Humayun and his co-authors from the first spotlight, Nicolas Torno discusses the
the University of Southern California’s Roski importance of recognizing academic inventors
Eye Institute discuss the Argus vision system through the chapter mechanism and how their
_____________________
Accepted: October 15, 2017.
Address correspondence to Edith Mathiowitz, Ph.D., Professor of Medical Science and Engineering, Center for Biomedical Engineering, Trainer in the
Biotechnology and BEM graduate programs, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology, Box G-B393, Brown University,
Providence, RI 02912. USA. Tel: +1 (401) 863-1358; Fax: +1 (401) 863-1753. E-mail: Edith_Mathiowitz@brown.edu

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