UK Innovate, the innovation, entrepreneurship and economic enterprise for University of Kentucky Research, recognized and celebrated UK innovators at its Patent Palooza! event Oct. 15. The in-person event brought around 100 attendees to honor innovation and impact throughout the university.

The event spotlighted key achievements from fiscal year 2024 and recognized more than 120 UK innovators who were issued 43 patents, had 66 licenses and options executed for their innovations, received two SBIR/STTR (Small Business Innovation Research-Small Business Technology Transfer) awards and 29 teams completed Launch Blue’s UAccel program.

Ian McClure, UK associate vice president for research, innovation and economic impact and the vice president for innovation at UK HealthCare, kicked off the celebration with welcoming remarks. During his remarks he unveiled a new “I Am A UK Innovator” video compilation, which featured the groundbreaking work of UK innovators Samuel G. Awuah, Ph.D., from the College of Arts and Sciences, Michaela Keener, Ph.D., from the College of Health Sciences, and John Lyons, Ph.D., from the College of Public Health.

“We love celebrating our innovators. FY 2024 was another amazing year, and the awardees demonstrated the vast amount of innovation and commercialization happening across the UK Research ecosystem,” said McClure. “Congratulations to all our UK innovators and we look forward to seeing everyone again next year for an even bigger celebration.”

Ilhem Messaoudi, UK’s acting vice president for research, followed with remarks that emphasized the vital role of innovation in shaping the future of the university and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Matthew Upton, acting director of technology commercialization at UK Innovate, took the stage to recognize UK innovators and their respective colleges and centers for their achievements.

“Patent Palooza! is an event where we can recognize the success of our innovators, not only in the laboratory, but in reaching communities,” Upton said. “The record number of issued patents and licenses our office handled last year is simply a reflection of the drive for innovation and desire for impact of our researchers.”

To learn more about this event and the honorees, visit Patent Palooza!