KCOS faculty and students recognized at Invention of the Year ceremony
The Division of Research held the inaugural “Invention of the Year” awards at the Dubois Center on April 7. The ceremony recognized faculty and students in the categories of clean energy and power systems; information and data science; life sciences and health; and physical and material sciences.
This year’s highest honor, the Invention of the Year Excellence Award, was presented by Vice Chancellor for Research John L. Daniels to Kirill Afonin, professor of chemistry, and Yasmine Radwan, graduate student in chemistry and nanoscale science for their invention “RNA-DNA Fusomers with Tunable Physicochemical, Mechanical and Biological Properties for Diverse Biomedical Applications.” Afonin and Radwan’s innovative approach to nucleic acid-based therapy has the potential to revolutionize how diseases are treated, offering improved customization and reduced immune response in advanced biomedical applications.
Deborah S.K. Thomas, associate vice chancellor for research, led the celebration of this year’s patent award winners, all from the Klein College of Science:
- Ishwar Aggarwal, research professor in physics and optical science, was honored as the University’s first National Academy of Inventors Fellow.
- Naz Fathma Tumpa, graduate student in chemistry and nanoscale science; and Aiden Hawkins, undergraduate student in chemistry, worked with advisors Michael Walter and Tyler Adams to place as the top five finalists in the National Collegiate Inventors Competition.
- Susan Trammell, professor of physics and optical science, earned third place in the PMU-NAI International Patent Award competition.
UNC Charlotte’s first class of National Academy of Inventors senior members were also recognized, honoring seven faculty for their outstanding contributions to innovation and research:
- Kirill Afonin, professor of chemistry
- James Amburgey, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering
- Glenn Boreman, professor and chair of the department of physics and optical science
- Olya Keen, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering
- Jordan Poler, professor of chemistry
- Susan Trammell, professor of physics and optical science
- Michael Walter, professor of chemistry