National Academy of Inventors to hold 2nd annual conference

The National Academy of Inventors will hold its 2nd annual conference February 21-22, 2013, at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Abstracts are being accepted for oral and poster presentations through December 10, 2012, at http://www.nai.usf.edu/conference/.

The conference keynote speakers will be the Commissioner for Patents at the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Margaret A. Focarino, and Robert S. Langer, professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and National Inventors Hall of Fame inductee.

The conference will bring together NAI members from non-profit research institutes and universities from around the globe who are responsible for inventing and patenting medical, scientific, artistic and engineering breakthroughs that save lives, create jobs and make life safer and more productive. The conference is also open to non-members.

During his keynote address at the inaugural conference last February, Under Secretary of Commerce and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office David Kappos noted that the National Academy of Inventors "is a breakthrough for our country. It couldn't be more timely to have an organization like this to be championing innovation."

With a focus on "Changing the Culture of Academic Innovation," the 2013 conference will cover a wide range of topics, from new disruptive technologies, funding for alternative innovation, patents and public policy, and publishing vs. patents, to the environmental and ethical impact of technology, innovation and job creation, and the next generation of inventors.

"The conference is very important for the NAI and its membership, as the first class of NAI Charter Fellows will be inducted," said Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, president of the NAI and vice president for research and innovation at the University of South Florida.

"Nominees have made outstanding contributions to innovation in areas such as patents and licensing, innovative discovery and technology, significant impact on society, and support and enhancement of innovation. Each candidate has been reviewed by a Selection Committee of their peers".

Provided by University of South Florida