In 2022, Case Western Reserve President Eric W. Kaler and Senior Vice President for Research and Technology Management Michael Oakes launched Innovation Week, a series of events set to take place each fall to celebrate the university’s culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
During Innovation Week, attendees are given opportunities to:
- Learn more about innovative approaches to addressing today’s critical challenges;
- Understand how innovation occurs in our Northeast Ohio ecosystem among players with varying interests;
- Hear from industry representatives about what good corporate engagement looks like and how we can enhance and improve the current corporate engagement model;
- Celebrate CWRU’s leading innovators and the recipients of the Faculty Distinguished Research Award;
- Network with colleagues, CWRU alumni, community investors and members of the National Academy of Inventors;
- Tour facilities such as Interactive Commons; and
- Participate in workshops hosted by xLab, Sears think[box] and more.
Innovation Week 2023
Case Western Reserve’s second annual Innovation Week took place Tuesday, Sept. 26, through Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. Events began with a keynote presentation by MIT Professor Vladimir Bulović that addressed the year’s theme, “Innovation as Problem Solving.”
Events included four daily lunch and networking sessions at the Tinkham Veale University Center, daily workshops, and Innovation Awards to honor top faculty innovators. Finally, all students and postdocs were encouraged to enter the Pitch-Your-Poster Contest for a chance to win one of up to 10 $1,000 awards.
[Innovation Week] offers an opportunity for all of us to come together and learn more about the amazing research taking place here—as well as ways that we can help bring those breakthroughs out of the university to benefit others.
—Michael Oakes
Senior Vice President for Research and Technology Management
2023 Award Winners
The second annual Innovation Week at Case Western Reserve University honored numerous faculty members making impactful contributions in their fields.
The Innovator of the Year awards are intended to honor members of the Case Western Reserve University community who have demonstrated exceptional levels of innovation in specific areas. In 2023, they were awarded in six categories.
Innovator of the Year: Alumni
- Jazmin Long (SAS ’15, MNO ’15), President and CEO, Birthing Beautiful Communities
Innovator of the Year: Early Career
- Lydia Kisley, Warren E. Rupp Assistant Professor of Physics
Innovator of the Year: Education
- Lauren Calandruccio, Professor, Department of Psychological Sciences
Innovators of the Year: Research
- Megan Holmes, Professor and Co-Director, Center on Trauma and Adversity and
- ClotChip team
Innovator of the Year: Research Staff
- Oral Health Disparities Group, School of Dental Medicine
Innovator of the Year: Student
- Pam Bolton, Second-year PhD student, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing
Inventor Award
The first Milestone Award category, the Inventor Award, honors any member of the CWRU community who has received at least one issued patent through the university’s Technology Transfer Office in fiscal year 2023. Honorees included:
- Ozan Akkus
- Anna Agaponova
- Tanvir Baig
- Niloy Bhadra
- Kath Bogie
- Dennis Bourbeau
- Rasim Boyacioglu
- Susann Brady-Kalnay
- Robert Brown
- Michael Bruckman
- Yijiang Chen
- Fabio Cominelli
- Robert Diessler
- Andrew Dupuis
- Dominique Durand
- Frank Ernst
- Christopher Flask
- Roger French
- Thomas Gray
- Mark Griswold
- Weihong Guo
- Umut Gurkan
- Yee-Hsee Hsieh
- Catherine Jayapandian
- Michael Jenkins
- Jonathan Karn
- Kevin Kilgore
- Jacob Levi
- Stephen Lewis
- Yehe Liu
- Zheng-Rong Lu
- Joao Maia
- Steve Majerus
- Soumyajit Mandal
- Sanford Markowitz
- Ina Martin
- Grant McCallum
- Debra McGivney
- Pedram Mohseni
- Wyatt Newman
- P. Hunter Peckham
- Sina Pourang
- Julie Renner
- Alexander Rodriguez-Palacios
- Ramanathan Sankaran
- Robert Savinell
- James Seckler
- Nicole Seiberlich
- Anirban Sen Gupta
- Menachem Shoham
- Jerry Silver
- Yingnan Song
- Jonathan Stamler
- Michael Suster
- Thomas Sweet
- Pallavi Tiwari
- Ronald Triolo
- Dustin Tyler
- Focco van den Akker
- Tina Vrabec
- Yanming Wang
- Matthew Williams
- David Wilson
- Gary Wnek
- Chunying Wu
- Hao Wu
- Xin Yu
- Xiangwu Zeng
- Christian Zorman
Commercialization Award
The second Milestone Award category, the Commercialization Award, honors any CWRU community member with a technology that was newly licensed through the university’s Technology Transfer Office in fiscal year 2023. The Commercialization Award winners included:
- Chaitra Badve: Improving Annotation Accuracy in MRI Data Using MR Fingerprinting and Deep Learning
- Filipa Blasco: A Platform for the Generation and Enhancement of Long-Lived Pluripotent CART Cells
- N. Reid Bolding: Passively shielded modular platform for parallel radiofrequency pulse transmit/receive
- Rasim Boyacioglu: Improving Annotation Accuracy in MRI Data Using MR Fingerprinting and Deep Learning
- Thomas Brantley: Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education; HoloNeuroAnatomy
- Yong Chen: Improving Annotation Accuracy in MRI Data Using MR Fingerprinting and Deep Learning
- Darin Croft: Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education; HoloNeuroAnatomy
- Henry Eastman: A Method for Creating a Shared Mixed Reality Experience for a Group Wearing Head Mounted Displays; Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education; Method for Manipulating Mixed Reality Models; An Interface And Network Infrastructure For Optimizing Management Of Multiple Simultaneous Holographic Experiences From A Single Control Panel
- Rebecca Enterline: Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education
- Luis Flores: Skin-Surface Electrical Stimulation For Force And Tactile Haptic Feedback
- Barbara Freeman: Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education; HoloNeuroAnatomy
- Michael Fu: Skin-Surface Electrical Stimulation for Force and Tactile Haptic Feedback
- Mehmet Gormez: Skin-Surface Electrical Stimulation For Force And Tactile Haptic Feedback
- Robert Gotschall: A Method for Creating a Shared Mixed Reality Experience for a Group Wearing Head Mounted Displays; Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education; Method for Manipulating Mixed Reality Models; An Interface And Network Infrastructure For Optimizing Management Of Multiple Simultaneous Holographic Experiences From A Single Control Panel
- Emily Graczyk: Skin-Surface Electrical Stimulation for Force and Tactile Haptic Feedback
- Mark Griswold: Passively Shielded Modular Platform for Parallel Radiofrequency Pulse Transmit/Receive; Improving Annotation Accuracy in MRI Data Using MR Fingerprinting and Deep Learning; HoloLens Applications; A Method for Creating a Shared Mixed Reality Experience for a Group Wearing Head Mounted Displays; Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education; Method for Manipulating Mixed Reality Models; An Interface and Network Infrastructure for Optimizing Management of Multiple Simultaneous Holographic Experiences From a Single Control Panel
- Kenneth Gustafson: Surface Electrical Stimulation for Sensory Feedback to Improve Bladder Voiding in Neurological Disorders
- Erin Henninger: Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education; Method for Manipulating Mixed Reality Models; An Interface And Network Infrastructure For Optimizing Management Of Multiple Simultaneous Holographic Experiences From A Single Control Panel
- Yee-Hsee Hsieh: D-Cysteine Ethyl Ester and Other Thioesters to Combat the Opioid Crisis
- Michael Jenkins: D-Cysteine Ethyl Ester and Other Thioesters to Combat the Opioid Crisis
- Stephen Lewis: D-Cystine Dimethyl Ester as a Respiratory Stimulant; D-Cysteine Ethyl Ester and Other Thioesters to Combat the Opioid Crisis; Fentanyl Infusion L-NAC Reversal
- Sangeeta Mahajan: Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education
- Nathaniel Makowski: Skin-Surface Electrical Stimulation for Force and Tactile Haptic Feedback
- Jeffrey Mlakar: A Method for Creating a Shared Mixed Reality Experience for a Group Wearing Head Mounted Displays; Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education; An Interface And Network Infrastructure For Optimizing Management Of Multiple Simultaneous Holographic Experiences From A Single Control Panel
- Michael Moffitt: Modules With Transcutaneous Applicators for Delivery of Light for Therapeutic Purposes; Stimulation Polarity Contrast Imaging; Selective Multiple Frequency Stimulation; Delivery of Therapeutic Photobiomodulation Through a Chronic or Pseudo-Chronic Port-Based System.
- Krzysztof Palczewski: Small Molecules Either Stabilize or Destabilize the P23H Opsin Mutant for Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa; Small-Molecule Compounds That Induce Misfolded Rhodopsin Degradation for Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa; Small Molecules Either Stabilize or Destabilize the P23H Opsin Mutant for Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa; Small-Molecule Compounds That Induce Misfolded Rhodopsin Degradation for Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa
- Reshmi Parameswaran: Targeting B Cell Activating Factor Receptor (BAFF-R) Using Ligand (BAFF) Based Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T Cells
- Brian Rothstein: HoloNeuroAnatomy
- James Seckler: D-Cysteine Ethyl Ester And Other Thioesters To Combat The Opioid Crisis
- Scott Simpson: Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education
- Julian Stelzer: MyBP-C Phospho-Serine Antibodies
- Jeffrey Sunshine: Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education
- Dustin Tyler: Stimulation Paradigms for Restoration of Natural Sensation and Pain Management; Sow on Human Fusions With UTL/CDL to Neural Interfaces; Skin-Surface Electrical Stimulation for Force and Tactile Haptic Feedback; Development of a New AML Cell Line and Expansion Platform for NK Cells
- Sue Wish-Baratz: Anatomical Models for Holographic Medical Education; HoloNeuroAnatomy
- Christian Zorman: Skin-Surface Electrical Stimulation for Force and Tactile Haptic Feedback
Pedagogical Innovation Award
The final Milestone Award category, the Pedagogical Innovation Award, recognizes new educational programs that were approved by the Faculty Senate Education Committee during fiscal year 2023. The winners and their programs include:
- Henry Adams: Visual Design, minor
- Hope Barkoukis: Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine, minor
- Erin Benay: Graduate Certificate in Public Humanities and Civic Engagement
- Elizabeth Bolman: Visual Design, minor
- Brian Clites: Graduate Certificate in Public Humanities and Civic Engagement
- Daniel Goldmark: Graduate Certificate in Public Humanities and Civic Engagement
- Paul Iversen: Ancient Near Eastern & Egyptian Studies, BA and minor
- Maggie Kaminski: Graduate Certificate in Public Humanities and Civic Engagement
- Tawna Mangosh: Translational Pharmaceutical Science, MS
- Rita Obeid: Early Intervention Development Specialist Graduate Certificate
- Maggie Popkin: Visual Design, minor
- Amy Przeworski: Early Intervention Development Specialist Graduate Certificate
- Maddalena Rumor: Ancient Near Eastern and Egyptian Studies, BA
- Elizabeth Short: Early Intervention Development Specialist Graduate Certificate
2022 Award Winners
During Case Western Reserve University's inaugural Innovation Week in September 2022, 30 faculty members were recognized for their remarkable achievements in research and entrepreneurship.
- Chanyong “Chase” Cao, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Director, Laboratory for Soft Machines & Electronics
- Mohamed S. Draz, PhD, Assistant Professor, Departments of Medicine and Biomedical Engineering
- Mark Griswold, PhD, Professor, Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering; Member, Cancer Imaging Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center; Faculty Director, Interactive Commons
- Michael Moffitt, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Niloy Bhadra, MD, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Amitabh Chak, MD, Professor, Department of Medicine; Member, Cancer Genomics and Epigenomics Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Umut Gurkan, PhD, Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Member, Cancer Prevention Control & Population Research Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Kevin Kilgore, PhD, P. Hunter Peckham PhD and George J. Picha MD PhD Professor in Biomedical Engineering
- Sanford Markowitz, MD, PhD, Ingalls Professor of Cancer Genetics, Department of Medicine; Distinguished University Professor; Co-Leader, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center's GI Cancer Genetics Program
- Pedram Mohseni, PhD, Goodrich Professor of Engineering Innovation and Chair, Department of Electrical, Computer and Systems Engineering
- Michael Suster, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering
- Joseph Willis, MD, Professor, Department of Pathology; Member, Developmental Therapeutics Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Susann M. Brady-Kalnay, PhD, Professor, Departments of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Neurosciences, and Pathology; Member, Cancer Imaging Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Yolanda Fortenberry, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biology
- Brian T. Grimberg, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pathology; Director of Cytometry and Imaging Research, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Umut Gurkan, PhD, Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Member, Cancer Prevention Control & Population Research Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Lydia Kisley, PhD, Warren E. Rupp Assistant Professor, Departments of Physics and Chemistry
- Shanina Knighton, PhD, RN, CIC, Adjunct Associate Professor, Nursing
- Cassi Pittman Claytor, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology
- Robert Ward, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biology
- Joy Bostic, PhD, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, College of Arts and Sciences; Associate Professor of Religious and Africana Studies; Director, African and African American Studies Minor; Co-PI, Humanities in Leadership Learning Series
- Darcy Freedman, PhD, MPH, Mary Ann Swetland Professor of Environmental Health Sciences; Director, Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health; Professor, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences
- Stephen Haynesworth, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Biology; Director, Emerging Scholars Program
- Jaclene A. Zauszniewski, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN, Catherine Seibyl Professor in Nursing, Research, and Caregiving
- Mark Griswold, PhD, Professor, Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering; Member, Cancer Imaging Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center; Faculty Director, Interactive Commons
- Susanne Wish-Baratz, PhD, MBA, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy
- Umut Gurkan, PhD, Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Member, Cancer Prevention Control & Population Research Program, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Sonya Moore, DNP, CRNA, Program Director, Nurse Anesthesia
- Eric Baer, DEng, Distinguished University Professor; Herbert Henry Dow Professor of Science and Engineering; Professor, Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering; Director, National Science Foundation Center for Layered Polymeric Systems
- Mei Zhang, PhD, MBA, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Arnold I. Caplan, PhD, Professor, Department of Biology; Director, Skeletal Research Center
- Sanford Markowitz, MD, PhD, Distinguished University Professor; Ingalls Professor of Cancer Genetics, Department of Medicine; Co-Leader, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center's GI Cancer Genetics Program
- P. Hunter Peckham, PhD, Distinguished University Professor Emeritus; Donnell Institute Professor Emeritus; Professor of Biomedical Engineering Emeritus; Co-Director, MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute