College of Medicine - Tucson Celebrates Inventors with Awarded Patents

As the first event of its kind for the college, The College of Medicine – Tucson and Tech Launch Arizona recognized inventors for their dedication to creating impact from their innovative work at a special luncheon held on September 15. TLA presented each attendee with a commemorative coin for each patent issued during fiscal year 2021 bearing their name as an inventor.

During FY2021, which ran between July 1, 2021 and July 30, 2022, 20 patents were issued bearing the names of 17 College of Medicine – Tucson inventors. TLA, the office of the university that commercializes inventions stemming from research, works with innovators campus-wide to refine and protect inventions, and bring them to the world through commercial pathways where they can can create social and economic impact.

Michael Abecassis, MD, MBA, dean of the College of Medicine – Tucson, addressed the group and said, "Today, commercialization provides an incredible pathway toward getting discoveries to patients. This college of medicine is 100% in favor of these kinds of activities — they are mission-critical to the success of the college."

At the end of the day, he said, commercialization of the results of research benefits patients, "and that's why we're all here."

Doug Hockstad, associate vice president of TLA, also thanked the inventors for their impactful contributions as he presented each with their coin.

"You're our champions," he said. "You understand how these activities support the university's mission."

It is TLA's hope, Hockstad reminded the recipients, that each individual will display their coin in their office spaces where they can be seen and inspire others to make the effort to bring their inventive ideas to the world for the good of others.

John O'Neil, vice president for research development at UArizona Research, Innovation, and Impact, also was in attendance.

The full list of College of Medicine – Tucson patents awarded in FY2021 includes these inventions and inventors:

• Tissue Characterization with Volume Correction: Maria Altbach, PhD
• Cardiac Electrophysiological Mapping: Ikeotunye Chinyere, PhD, Steven Goldman, MD, Jordan Lancaster, PhD, and Russell Witte, PhD
• Treating Pulmonary Fibrosis with NAMPT Inhibitors: Joe G.N. "Skip" Garcia, MD
• Treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Joe G.N. "Skip" Garcia, MD
• Muscle Cell Patches And Uses Therefor: Steven Goldman, MD, and Jordan Lancaster, PhD
• ANG-(1-7) Oligopeptides for the Treatment of Pain: Meredith Hay, PhD
• Placement Of Electrocardiogram Leads: Trina Hughes
• Treating and Preventing Chronic Pain: Mohab Ibrahim, PhD, MD
• Phase Change Nanodroplet Conjugates For Delivery: Terry Matsunaga, PhD
• Treating an Alphavirus Infection: Janko Nikolich-Zugich, MD, PhD
• Heliox System With Carbon Dioxide Removal: Sairam Parthasarathy, MD, and Marvin Slepian, MD
• Fungal Immunogens and Related Methods: Lisa Shubitz, DVM
• Biostable Segmented Elastomers And Thermoplastics: Marvin Slepian, MD
• Flowable Electronics: Marvin Slepian, MD
• Polymeric Heart Valve: Marvin Slepian, MD
• Piezo Electric Tissue Properties Measuring System: Marvin Slepian, MD
• Compositions For Treating Bacterial Disease: Magdalene So, PhD
• Non-Invasive Detection of Stress Biomarkers: Esther Sternberg, MD
• Modified Veress Needle: Andrew Tang, MD, FACS

Faculty, researchers, graduate students and staff who have inventions they would like to discuss should contact Mitch Graffeo, senior licensing manager for Tech Launch Arizona, at mitchg@tla.arizona.edu.