Rowan provost and inventor honored at 2024 Edison Patent Awards

Rowan University Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Anthony Lowman and the inventor of a surgical robot were among the New Jersey innovators recognized by the Research & Development Council of New Jersey (R&D Council) on November 21 during the 2024 Edison Patent Awards. 

In its 45th year, the Edison Patent Awards, the highest recognition of innovation in the state, celebrated 14 patents created by 62 inventors and five individual award winners. With the theme “Jersey Innovates, the World Takes,” the ceremony and reception was held for the first time at Bell Works in Holmdel, New Jersey.

Lowman received the 2024 Educator of the Year Award for his role in transforming Rowan University into the third fastest-growing public research institution in the United States. The award is given to an individual for achievements in the advancement of science and technology education and workforce development across New Jersey. 

Rowan University and inventor Mohammad Abedin-Nasab, Ph.D., were recognized with an Edison Patent Award in the Medical Technology category for a surgical robotic system named Robossis. The system addresses significant challenges in femur fracture surgeries, which currently suffer from high rates of malalignment and complications. The system is designed to improve fracture alignment, shorten surgeries, reduce the need for numerous intraoperative X-rays and reoperations, and improve patient outcomes.

Other individual winners honored for their contributions to innovation in the Garden State included 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. 

The 2024 Edison Patent Award winners are: BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions, Bristol Myers Squibb, Colgate-Palmolive Company, ExxonMobil Technology & Engineering Company, Merck & Co., Inc., Nokia Bell Labs, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Qualcomm Incorporated, Rowan University, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Siemens Foundational Technologies, and the U.S. Army. 

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy congratulated the award winners, emphasizing the state's rich history of innovation and its ongoing impact on the world. 

“These inventors, patents and innovation leaders have made a tremendous impact on our state and on our world and each one is a living tribute to this year’s theme: Jersey Innovates, the World Takes,” Murphy said in a congratulatory message to the award winners. “That has always been the story of New Jersey. From the lightbulb to the transistor to the motion picture industry. The next great chapter of New Jersey’s innovation story is being written by these award winners.” 

Each winner was celebrated with a special tribute film. To read the R&D Council’s complete announcement, visit rdnj.org