Eleven Indiana University faculty members were named to the first cohort of Faculty Innovation Ambassadors to help foster a culture of innovation and translate research into impactful solutions.

The Faculty Innovation Ambassadors Program, led by the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office, will support researchers as they develop their research and guide them in understanding translational activities related to intellectual property and commercial development.

“We are thrilled to launch the Faculty Innovation Ambassadors Program and welcome this first cohort of exceptional faculty members,” said Nick Hammond, associate vice president for innovation and commercialization. “This initiative is a cornerstone of our efforts to build a strong culture of innovation at IU, empowering researchers to translate their groundbreaking work into real-world solutions.

“By equipping our ambassadors with the tools and knowledge to navigate intellectual property and commercialization processes, we are not only advancing IU’s 2030 innovation goals but also creating pathways for impactful discoveries to benefit society.”

The ambassadors will receive training through workshop intensives and will gain an understanding of how basic science and technology are developed into commercial products and innovations. They will be a direct resource to their colleagues in navigating translational activities related to intellectual property and commercialization.

“This inaugural cohort of Faculty Innovation Ambassadors demonstrates the breadth of talent across the university,” IU Vice President for Research Russell J. Mumper said. “Each member brings a unique perspective and expertise, and together, they will help accelerate innovation and create a thriving ecosystem for intellectual property development and commercialization.”

The Faculty Innovation Ambassadors are:

• Andrew Zelhof, the genome, cell and developmental biology section associate chair of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington. Zelhof aims to develop tools for generating transgenic Daphnia. These crustaceans have their DNA altered to increase their sensitivity to environmental pollutants, for environmental pollution and toxicology studies.
• Chen-Ting Liao, an associate professor of physics in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington. Liao aims to develop new quantum sensing and imaging techniques for probing matter for semiconductor and quantum materials.
• Fletcher White, a professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the IU School of Medicine. White’s research involves developing new models of behavioral pain states and targets for chronic pain treatment.
• Judith Gross, director of the Center on Community Living and Careers. Gross’ research focuses on supporting and promoting high expectations for employment for individuals with disabilities.
• Kara Garcia, an assistant professor of radiology and imaging sciences at the IU School of Medicine. Garcia develops technologies for diabetes management, and her research also focuses on understanding brain development and degeneration.
• Nick Manicke, an associate professor of chemistry and chemical biology and of forensic and investigative sciences at the School of Science at IU Indianapolis. Manicke’s research focuses on solving chemical detection problems in forensic, defense and biomedical applications.
• Radek Kaczmarek, an assistant research professor of pediatrics at the IU School of Medicine. Kaczmarek’s lab studies immune responses to gene and protein replacement therapies for hemophilia A and B.
• Roman Natoli, an associate professor of orthopedic surgery at the IU School of Medicine. Natoli’s research focuses on developing treatments for fracture-related infections, post-traumatic osteoarthritis and fracture-induced pain.
• Silas Cook, a professor of chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington. Cook’s research aims to develop sustainable catalysts and chemical processes.
• Vijay Ramakrishnan, a professor of otolaryngology of head and neck surgery and director of rhinology research at the IU School of Medicine. Ramakrishnan’s lab focuses on upper airway inflammation as well as integrating artificial intelligence and biomedical engineering tools into otolaryngology.
• Zebulun Wood, a senior lecturer of media arts and science at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at IU Indianapolis. Wood’s research explores virtual reality, augmented reality and 3D printing to create solutions that impact the world beyond entertainment.