Twelve Indiana University faculty members were named to the second annual cohort of the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office’s Faculty Innovation Ambassadors.

In this program, ambassadors will gain an understanding of how basic science and technology are developed into commercial innovations and how to best translate that knowledge to their own research. They also serve as trusted resources within their departments, helping colleagues navigate intellectual property, commercialization and startup creation to meet IU 2030 goals.

“We’re pleased to welcome a new cohort to the Faculty Innovation Ambassadors Program,” said Nick Hammond, associate vice president for innovation and commercialization. “Through their work, these faculty leaders will help strengthen IU’s culture of innovation while guiding colleagues through the translational pathways that move research toward real-world impact.”

The second annual cohort of the Faculty Innovation Ambassadors are:

• Damir Cavar, associate professor of computational linguistics at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at IU Bloomington. Cavar researches quantum computing for natural language processing, with a focus on health and life sciences applications.
• Kay Choi, professor of molecular and cellular biochemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington. Choi is exploring molecular mechanisms that govern RNA-protein interactions, viral replication and RNA-based therapeutics for the development of antiviral strategies.
• Amar Flood, professor of chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington. Flood’s research involves the design, synthesis and characterization in supramolecular chemistry such as anion recognition and the world’s brightest fluorescent materials known as SMILES.
• John Gallien, assistant professor of clinical emergency medicine at the IU School of Medicine. Gallien aims to develop better and more sustainable solutions to improve the delivery of healthcare and patient outcomes.
• Alexander Gumennik, director of the FAMES Lab at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at IU Bloomington. Gumennik’s lab is investigating the use of fiber devices in digital communication and networking for next-generation internet technologies and biomedical applications such as minimally invasive procedures, tissue engineering and wound healing.
• Young Hwan You, director of undergraduate research and associate professor of mathematics at IU East. You’s work focuses on partial differential equations, mathematical finance, and data science applications such as deep learning and machine learning. You also explores data-science-based topics to further undergraduate research opportunities.
• Milos Marinkovic, assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the IU School of Medicine. He researches extracellular matrix biology and its application in aging and regenerative bone tissue engineering.
• J.D. Mendez, professor of chemistry at IU Columbus. Mendez’s research combines chitin, a natural polymer in the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans, and advanced 3D-printing techniques for applications in bioprinting and medical devices. Mendez also develops games to improve students’ understanding of complex chemistry topics.
• Thomas Snaddon, the James F. Jackson Associate Professor of Chemistry in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington. His lab focuses on the design and development of new concepts in organic synthesis and catalysis for applications in biology and medicine.
• Jason Tennessen, associate chair for research and facilities for biology in the College of Arts and Sciences at IU Bloomington. Tennessen’s lab is using the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic model to study aerobic glycolysis to understand its regulation in the context of normal animal growth and physiology.
• Ian Webb, associate professor in the School of Science at IU Indianapolis. Webb’s research focuses on developing advanced ion mobility/mass spectrometry tools for structural and complex mixture analysis applications.
• Elizabeth Yeh, professor of biochemistry, molecular biology and pharmacology and the vice chair for research at the IU School of Medicine. Yeh’s lab develops novel therapeutic strategies for HER2-positive and triple negative breast cancers.

“The Faculty Innovation Ambassadors bring exceptional depth and expertise to their work,” said Russell Mumper, IU vice president for research. “This cohort will play a vital role in advancing innovation across IU and generating lasting impact for Hoosiers and communities far beyond. Their efforts directly advance IU 2030’s strategic plan by prioritizing research and creative activity that leads to commercialization, entrepreneurship, and expanded partnerships with industry and academic peers.”