Georgetown’s NAI Chapter
The Georgetown University (GU) Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) was launched 2010 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
| Membership | Member’s name | Membership | Member’s name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Member | Esther Chang | Inventor Member | John Currie |
| Fellow | Spiros Dimolitsas | Inventor Member | John Gerin |
| Fellow | Albert Fornace | Inventor Member | Michael Johnson |
| Fellow | Anatoly Dritschilo | 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 | Makarand Paranjape | Inventor Member | Charbel Moussa |
| Fellow | Richard Schlegel | Inventor Member | Radhakrishnan Padmanabhan |
| Fellow | J. Cory Smart | Inventor Member | Ayesha Shajahan-Haq |
| Fellow | Jill Smith | Inventor Member | Thomas Shields |
| Fellow | Jeffrey Toretsky | Inventor Member | Yuichiro Suzuki |
| Fellow | Aykut Uren | Inventor Member | Yuye Tong |
| Fellow | Louis Weiner | Inventor Member | Timothy Warren |
| Fellow | Christian Wolf | Inventor Member | Yingxian Xiao |
| Inventor Member | Richard Calderone | Inventor Member | Venkata Yenugonda |
| Inventor Member | John Casey | Honorary Member | Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak |
| Inventor Member | Paul Cote |
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.
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.
Georgetown Named to Top 100 Patenting US Universities List by the National Academy of Inventors
Georgetown University has again been named among the Top 100 US Universities Granted Utility Patents, the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) announced today (March 19, 2026).
Georgetown Scientist J. C. Smart Elected to National Academy of Inventors
Computer science professor J. C. Smart, PhD, the inventor of transformative knowledge-systems technologies, has been elected to the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), the academy announced today (Dec. 11, 2025).
Georgetown Ranks in Top 100 Universities for Utility Patents
The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has announced that Georgetown University ranked among the top 100 universities holding utility patents in 2024.
Celebrating Dr. Makarand Paranjape’s Election as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
We are thrilled to announce that our esteemed colleague, Dr. Makarand Paranjape (Physics Department) has been elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) for 2024.