2019 Awardees

The Office of Technology Transfer hosted the university's 2nd Annual Innovation of the Year Awards on Thursday, October 24th, 2019 in the University Student Center.

Intellectual Property Awardees

Life Science Awardee
Bio-Product Production Using Halotolerant Fremyella Displosiphon
Viji Sitther, Ph.D. and two of her students, Somayeh Fathabed and Behnam Tabatabai, developed a process that uses a special strain of cyanobacteria to produce biomass and can be further processed into bio-fuels and higher-value products in industries including pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, food and cosmetics.

Physical Science Awardees
Building Occupant Tracking
Kofi Nyarko, Ph.D. and his students, Samuel Mbugua and Christian Emiyah, developed a technology that enables building occupants or items to be tracked from room-to-room and floor-to-floor in a comprehensive, accurate, and efficient manner. The technology consists of interconnected lighting modules that form a mesh network communication system to interface with smart tags.

Diabetic Shoe & Custom Insole
LaPorchia Davis, Ph.D. developed the Davis Walker^TM diabetic shoe and 3D printed customized insole to cater to individuals with prediabetes and Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The fashionable shoe insole is customized for individuals and while featuring several comfort features to minimize foot sores/blisters, and not deter physical activity.

Information Science Awardee
Perceived Risk Hierarchy Methodology
The Perceived Risk Hierarchy Methodology was developed by Lorece Edwards, Ph.D., Sabriya Dennis, Ph.D., Lawrence Brown, Ph.D. and Ian Lindong, Ph.D. The methodology determines risks of engaging in violence, becoming addicted to opioids or other substances or contracting HIV/AIDS, among other factors, and enables more targeted intervention strategies to produce more positive outcomes.

Morgan Community Innovators

Student Innovator of the Year
Amirreza Nickkar
Amirreza Nickkar, a student in the School of Engineering's doctoral program, was recognized for his contributions to a number of research projects and publications. He recently worked with Dr. Young-Jae Lee on a number of projects and recently filed a patent from their research, "Optimal Automated Demand Responsive Feeder Transit Operation Method."

Instructional Innovator of the Year

Md Mahmudur Rahman, Ph.D.
Dr. Rahman was recognized for dedication to the advancement of the Computer Science Department. Dr. Rahman infused computational thinking with a visual programming environment and interactive learning skills by using both interactive software platform and interactive book (eBook) into the delivery of courses. His strategies resulted in doubling the retention of students in computer science majors as compared to only few years ago.

Staff Innovator of the Year
Debbie Duran, MBA
Debbie Duran designed and managed the implementation of the Morgan Employee Management System (MEMS). In the implementation of this new system, she also trained over 300 employees, university-wide on its use. The MEMS system has improved university efficiency and effectiveness overall. The MEMS allows applicants to submit applications electronically, seamlessly, eliminating the use of paper, shortening a 6-9 months processing window.

Patent Awardees

Inventor: Seong Lee, Ph.D. - U.S. Patent 10,253,974
"The Method and Design of the Ultra-Clean Mobile Combustor for Waste Biomass & Poultry Disposal,"
This system consists of a swirling fluidized bed combustion (SFBC) chamber, and a second stage combustion element carried out in a cyclone separator. The system can convert chicken litter into heat or electricity, and this would benefit farmers who have to maintain certain temperature levels inside their chicken houses.

Inventors: Kofi Nyarko, Ph.D., Christian Emiyah, and Samuel Mbugua - U.S. Patent 10,333,620
"Building Occupant Tracking with Visible Light Communication Sequential Relay Messaging and Lighting Modules,"
This technology employs visible light communication ("VLC") to determine indoor position location. A mobile receiver in the form of a tag or badge attached to the person or item to be tracked receives a distinctive VLC signal, and transmits a signal back to a mesh network to determine the tag's or badge's physical position with respect to the individual network modules.