Launched in 2011, the annual Innovation Awards celebrate the groundbreaking innovative research and commercialization efforts taking place in and around Penn State College of Medicine.
The Office of the Vice Dean for Research and Graduate Studies and the Center for Medical Innovation invite faculty, staff and students at the College of Medicine and Penn State Health to submit nominations for the following awards:
Nominations are currently closed. Watch for updates regarding the open nomination period for the 2023 awards coming soon.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Research and Innovation Awards. This marked the inaugural year the Innovation Awards combined with the Research Recognition Awards into one grand celebration honoring achievements spanning the continuum from discovery to impact and the critical role that individuals and teams play along the way. See a full list of previous winners below.
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Innovation Awards Details
- To nominate an individual, complete the appropriate form. Each nomination requires a 250-word-or-less description of why the nominee best represents Penn State College of Medicine or Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, addressing the characteristics outlined elsewhere on this page.
- After close of nominations, a review committee established by the Vice Dean for Research and Graduate Studies will review each submission and make a recommendation. One individual will be selected for each honor.
- The Innovator of the Year, Investigator to Watch and Student Award for Excellence in Innovation are announced during the annual Research and Innovation Awards ceremony. The 2022 event took place on Oct. 11, 2022. See 2022 award recipients.
- The recipients are each presented with an engraved statue.
The Innovator of the Year is an individual who exemplifies innovation and entrepreneurship to translational research through a demonstrated track record of developing new technologies, processes or services. Past award recipients come from a variety of departments but are united by their commitment to groundbreaking translational research and innovation.
Qualifications
Individuals nominated for the Innovator of the Year should demonstrate the following key attributes:
- A demonstrated track record of developing new technologies, processes or services.
- An entrepreneurial approach to translating research to products or services that benefit the public.
- A willingness to collaborate with peers, not only within their own department but across other departments and organizations, to share knowledge for the benefits to others.
- Active participation in activities (events, committees, programs) that support a culture of innovation.
Nomination Guidelines
- Nominees must be employed by Penn State College of Medicine or Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
- Self-nominations are not accepted.
The Investigator to Watch is an individual who demonstrates significant potential in translating groundbreaking research into commercial technologies, processes or services.
Qualifications
Individuals nominated for the Investigator to Watch award should demonstrate the following key attributes:
- An investigator in the early phase of their career who goes beyond their role to promote innovation at Penn State College of Medicine campus and serve as a role model for their peers.
- Dedicates time, energy and expertise to translational research efforts and entrepreneurial endeavors.
- Demonstrates a willingness to collaborate with peers, across departments to share knowledge and innovative ideas benefiting society.
- Active participation in activities (events, committees, groups, programs) that support a culture of innovation.
Nomination Guidelines
- Nominees must be employed by Penn State College of Medicine or Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
- Self-nominations are welcomed.
The Student Award for Excellence in Innovation is presented to an individual who exemplifies innovation and entrepreneurship to research through a demonstrated interest in developing new technologies, processes or services.
Qualifications
Individuals nominated for the Student Award for Excellence in Innovation should demonstrate the following key attributes:
- A demonstrated interest in developing new technologies, process and services.
- An entrepreneurial and innovative approach to academics with a focus on benefiting the public good.
- A willingness to collaborate with peers, not only within their own department but across other departments and organizations, to share knowledge for the benefits to others.
- Active participation in activities that support a culture of innovation.
Nomination Guidelines
- Nominees must be graduate or medical students at Penn State College of Medicine.
- Self-nominations are welcomed.
Complete nomination for Student Award for Excellence in Innovation
- Read more about the 2022 winners
- Read more about the 2018 winners
- Read more about the 2017 winners
- Read more about the 2016 winners