Nominations sought for Baxendale Innovation Award

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas seeks nominations for the annual Baxendale Innovation Award. It recognizes a KU researcher or a research group for excellence in entrepreneurship and commercialization.   

Brian Blagg, the Lester and Betty Kitscher Professor in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry, and Rick Dobrowsky, professor of pharmacology & toxicology, received the award in 2015. Other previous winners include Cory Berkland, distinguished professor of pharmaceutical chemistry and chemical & petroleum engineering, and Lisa Stehno-Bittel, professor of physical therapy and rehabilitation science.

The work of the researcher should exemplify the process of accelerating ideas, insights and technologies from university research to industry partnerships, licensing or startup companies.

Nominations may be submitted online. Nominators should provide detail on how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in commercialization, including:

• Descriptions of innovations/technologies developed by the nominee(s);
• Effect of the technology, from the research and product perspectives;
• List of disclosures, patents, licenses (invented and assigned to KU); and
• Examples of major milestones toward external validation and marketplace achievement.

The nomination deadline is Oct. 6. The recipient will be announced Oct. 20 at a special reception following KU’s “Celebration of Innovation: A Start-Up Showcase” at Capitol Federal Hall. Registration for that event can also be submitted online.