Georgetown’s NAI Chapter

The Georgetown University (GU) Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) was launched 2009 to honor and support the university’s outstanding community of researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs.

The GU NAI Chapter acknowledges and honors the remarkable achievements of GU faculty, students, staff, and corporate allies in patenting, licensing, breakthrough innovation, and technology spheres. As a nurturing hub, the chapter empowers members to drive meaningful societal change. Teaming up with Georgetown’s Office of Technology Commercialization, the chapter furnishes essential resources, mentorship, and networking avenues, empowering individuals to thrive in their domains and realize their utmost capabilities.

About the National Academy of Inventors

The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) stands as a distinguished member organization fostering innovation within academia and beyond. With over 4,600 individual members from diverse backgrounds, affiliated with more than 300 institutions worldwide, NAI’s mission is multifaceted. It aims to recognize and encourage inventors, enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, promote the disclosure of intellectual property, mentor students, and educate the public about the societal benefits of inventions. Rooted in a collaborative partnership with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), NAI has continually expanded its reach and impact.

Georgetown’s NAI Chapter Roster

Georgetown University NAI Chapter
Membership	Member’s name	Membership	Member’s name
Senior Member	Esther Chang	Inventor Member	John Gerin
Fellow	Spiros Dimolitsas	Inventor Member	Michael Johnson
Fellow	Albert Fornace	Inventor Member	Mira Jung
Fellow	Ophir Frieder	Inventor Member	Kenneth Kellar
Fellow	Usha Kasid	Inventor Member	Xuefeng Liu
Fellow	Kai Liu	Inventor Member	Marcus Maloof
Fellow	Richard Schlegel	Inventor Member	Charbel Moussa
Fellow	Jill Smith	Inventor Member	Radhakrishnan Padmanabhan
Fellow	Jeffrey Toretsky	Inventor Member	Makarand Paranjape
Fellow	Aykut Uren	Inventor Member	Ayesha Shajahan-Haq
Fellow	Louis Weiner	Inventor Member	Thomas Shields
Fellow	Christian Wolf	Inventor Member	Yuichiro Suzuki
Inventor Member	Richard Calderone	Inventor Member	Yuye Tong
Inventor Member	John Casey	Inventor Member	Timothy Warren
Inventor Member	Paul Cote	Inventor Member	Yingxian Xiao
Inventor Member	John Currie	Inventor Member	Venkata Yenugonda
Inventor Member	Mark Danielsen	Honorary Member	Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak

Inventors Recognition Programs

Senior Members: NAI Senior Members are active faculty, scientists, and administrators with success in patents, licensing, and commercialization and have produced technologies that have brought or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society. They are rising stars who foster a spirit of innovation within their communities and institutions while educating and mentoring the next generation of inventors.

Fellows: The NAI Fellows Program was established to highlight academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society. Election to NAI Fellow status is the highest professional distinction accorded solely to academic inventors.

Inventor Members: Any GU-affiliated individual who holds at least one U.S. issued patent (verified through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)).

Honorary Members: Leaders within the community who have facilitated and nurtured innovation and economic development.

Student Members: Graduate and undergraduate students of Georgetown University. Active student membership is open to all GU students, with the right to vote and hold office. A student may also become an NAI Inventor or honorary member if those membership conditions are met.

Why join the NAI?

Georgetown’s NAI Chapter offers a platform for members to engage and network with innovative students, faculty, and staff across Georgetown University and the NAI Global Academic Inventors Network (GAIN). Becoming a member is free and offers a variety of benefits to both students and faculty.

Students

Take part in student-led events featuring faculty, alumni, and members of industry
Showcase your passion for innovation and ability to take leadership roles by becoming a NAI chapter student officer
Learn about technology transfer, intellectual property, and economic prospects of technologies
Access to the GAIN program through the NAI and expand your network
Interact with a collective group of innovative faculty, staff, and researchers at Georgetown University

Faculty, Staff, and Post-docs

Connect, communicate, and translate inventions and technologies with other NAI members
Become an NAI Inventor member or NAI Honorary member; additionally, be nominated for NAI Sr. Member or Fellow
Become a mentor in the Global Academic Inventors Network (GAIN)
Understand the nuances of university-owned intellectual property and the technology transfer process
Connect with the USPTO and intellectual property professionals

Time commitment and expectations

Student Officers: Create, supervise, and advertise events and workshops hosted by the NAI chapter. Officer duties will be delegated to the student depending on the role (president, financial officer, events officer, etc.). Officers will meet on a regular, monthly basis.

Faculty Advisory Committee: Facilitate an environment that encourages innovation within the community of inventors, researchers, and students at GU. Participate in student-led events, and attend general meetings held once a semester to discus the state of the NAI chapter and establish goals.

All Others: Attend events (workshops, guest lecturers, luncheons, etc.) hosted by the NAI chapter. All members are encouraged to interact with others by communicating innovations, networking with other inventors, and discussing professional development opportunities.

Become a member

Inventors with four or more patents through Georgetown University will be considered for eligibility. Please contact techlicensing@georgetown.edu for more information.