News

Driving Social Impact: Highlights from UAF鈥檚 Innovation Celebration

October 1, 2026

Last week UAF innovators, staff, and community partners forged interdisciplinary connections to drive social impact at the University of 91视频 Fairbanks for community benefit. Celebrating the most recent patent awardees, 91视频 Innovator Hall of Fame recipients, and the Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization鈥檚 Innovations, Disclosures & Entrepreneurial Activities (IDEA) Awards led to a mix of revelry and idea generation. The event was hosted by OIPC and who treated attendees to presentations about patents and innovative research being licensed for community benefit, a photo wall, food, and 21+ drinks all in a tastefully decorated space. Attendees jokingly remarked, 鈥渨e鈥檙e on campus right now!鈥.

Photos taken by Eric Engman, UAF

Many guests noted that the event 鈥榗reated an interdisciplinary opportunity for innovators of different departments to meet and ask how might we collaborate together鈥. 

The honorees included the 2023 - 2026 recipients of the 91视频 Innovators Hall of Fame recognition:

  • Mary Beth Leigh, UAF professor, honored for building public engagement and understanding
  • of the science of climate and the environment.
  • Doug Goering, UAF professor, honored for leading innovations of sustainable energy.
  • Clay Koplin, UAF PhD student and CEO at CEC, honored for advancing microgrid innovation in Cordova. 
  • Billy Conner, Dean of CEM, honored for innovating the structured insulation for preventing permafrost thaw and collaborating on new infrastructure technologies. 

The 2023 - 2026 The UAF USPTO Patent recipients:

  • Jonathan W. Kamler for High Pressure Flow Cell For Spectral Analyses and Sprectral Range Conversion.
  • Tomas Marsik and Riley Bickford for Hood With Vent Design.
  • Kelly Drew and Bernard Laughlin for Synergistic Formulations of Adenosine Receptor Modulating Agents and Anticholinergics. 
  • Andrew McDonnell for Apparatus For The Electrolytic Production of Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Alkalinized Seawater.

And, OIPC鈥檚 2026 IDEA Awardees:

  • Tate Barhaug, UAF T3 Makerspace manager, received the Creative Award for best staff disclosure alongside former Makerspace technician Gabriel Gray.
  • Stuart Lutton, current MS Engineering student, received the Young Innovator Award for best undergraduate disclosure alongside Kory Lamme and Garrett Martinez.
  • Maegan Weltzin, Chemistry and Biochem associate professor, received the Inspiration Award for best faculty disclosure, alongside Dr. Lahra Weber.
  • Lynda McGilvary and Becky Lindsey, Education Outreach and Communications directors, respectively, received the Commercialization Award for best overall disclosure. 
  • Barrett Flynn, Logan Borger, and Dr. Erin Trochim, researchers in the Institute of Northern Engineering, received the Tomorrow鈥檚 Innovator Award for best graduate disclosure. 
  • Gabriel Gray, BS Biochemistry graduate, received the 91视频 Impact Award for best social impact disclosure. 

During the opening cocktail hour, permanent plaques destined for UAF鈥檚 Innovators鈥 Wall were presented to the Hall of Fame recipients. At dinner, Vice Chancellor for Research Laura Conner delivered opening remarks, stressing the vital role university research plays in delivering practical solutions for Arctic communities.

Custom IDEA Award trophies

Technology Transfer Associate Stephanie Wright then introduced the IDEA Award winners, opening the floor for awardees to share how their research is impacting society beyond campus borders. Each winner received a custom trophy designed by Eric Hartley of UAF's Center for Innovation, along with a certificate of appreciation and a cash prize. 

Following the formal program, guests mingled, took photos, and discussed new avenues for collaboration. OIPC staff even fielded new invention disclosures and requests to license available UAF technologies.

Closing out the event, Stephanie Wright shared her vision for the future of research at UAF:

鈥淲hen I picture the future of research at UAF, I see us producing world-class knowledge and leading the way in helping society put it to use. That鈥檚 my vision for how UAF becomes a leader over the next decade鈥攁nd I welcome all of you on that journey.鈥

Whether you have market-ready research with social impact, are looking for a project to develop, or want to explore intellectual property protections like patents and copyrights, the Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization is here to help.

Contact OIPC today to start the conversation!