Rowan innovators among 2024 Edison Patent awardees

Two Rowan University engineers will receive the 2024 Edison Patent Award, New Jersey’s highest recognition for inventors and innovation, the Research & Development Council of New Jersey (R&D Council) announced this week. This year, 14 patents created by 66 inventors and five individual award winners will be honored during the 45th annual Edison Patent Award Ceremony and Reception on November 21,  2024, at Bell Works in Holmdel. 

The 2024 Educator of the Year Award will be presented to Rowan University Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Anthony Lowman, Ph.D., for his contributions to the University’s rapid growth as a public research institution. The Educator of the Year Award is presented to an individual for their achievements in the advancement of science and technology education and workforce development across New Jersey.

Biomedical engineer Mohammad Abedin-Nasab, Ph.D., will accept an Edison Patent Award for his invention, Robossis, the first surgical-robotic system designed to repair long-bone fractures. He is an associate professor in the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering and Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences. 

Winners were selected by a team of R&D Council researchers who evaluated patents for the significance of the problem, utility/socio-economic value, novelty and commercial impact. All winning patents must have at least part of the technical/scientific work completed in New Jersey. 

“This year’s theme of ‘Jersey Innovates, The World Takes,’ a nod to the iconic Lower Trenton Bridge slogan, celebrates New Jersey’s research community’s global impact. From the inventions of the lightbulb to transistors to antibiotics, New Jersey has been—and continues to be—in the forefront of life-altering innovations,” said Colleen Ruegger, RPh, Ph.D., chair of the R&D Council Board of Directors and executive director of technical research and development at Novartis. “We are thrilled to celebrate these 14 patents, 66 inventors and five innovation leaders as they continue to make a transformative impact on the world from right here in New Jersey.” 

In addition to Lowman, four other New Jerseyans will receive awards for their lasting impact on the state's innovation economy. They are: computer science pioneer Brian Kernighan, Ph.D.; New Brunswick Development Corporation President Christopher Paldino; New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology Executive Director Judith Sheft; and Hackensack Meridian Health’s Center for Discovery & Innovation researcher Olivier Loudig, Ph.D.

Patent winners include inventors at BASF Environmental Catalyst ad Metal Solutions, Bristol Myers Squibb, Colgate-Palmolive Company, ExxonMobil Technology & Engineering Company, Merck & Co., Nokia Bell Labs, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Qualcomm Incorporated, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Siemens Technology, and the U.S. Army. 

To read the complete announcement, visit rdnj.org