UGA gains six more National Academy of Inventors Senior Members

news.uga.edu · Feb 26, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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The National Academy of Inventors has selected six University of Georgia researchers as 2026 NAI Senior Members, underscoring the university’s strong momentum in innovation and commercialization. With these latest elections, UGA now has 30 Senior Members overall. “We are proud to recognize the UGA faculty researchers elected this year as NAI Senior Members,” said Chris King, interim vice president for research. “This honor reflects not only the strength and depth of research at UGA but also our faculty’s commitment to translating discoveries beyond the lab to create meaningful impact in the world. Their work exemplifies how innovation, scholarship and service come together to advance our land-grant mission and improve lives in Georgia and beyond.” NAI Senior Members are distinguished faculty, scientists and administrators who have demonstrated success in patents, licensing and commercialization. The distinction recognizes those whose patented discoveries and entrepreneurial efforts have made, or have the potential to make, meaningful impacts on society. They develop and translate technologies that address critical challenges in health, energy, sustainability and industry, advancing both research and real-world applications. UGA’s 2026 inductees are: Daniel Geller, director of the Innovation Gateway Startup Program and senior public service associate in the College of Engineering Puliyur S. MohanKumar, Josiah Meigs Distinguished Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine Sheba M.J. MohanKumar, professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine Branson W. Ritchie, Distinguished Research Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and co-director of the New Materials Institute Nadja Zeltner, associate professor in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the Center for Molecular Medicine Yiping Zhao, Distinguished Research Professor in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Geller’s research in biofuels and renewable energy has led to three issued U.S. patents, all of which have been licensed and commercialized. His innovations include a renewable starter fluid for charcoal grills and drip torches sold in major retail stores, as well as biodiesel additives and novel biofuel production technologies. As director of the Innovation Gateway Startup Program, Geller oversees the growth of UGA’s startup pipeline and guides faculty, staff and students through the startup process. Puliyur MohanKumar is an internationally recognized leader in neuroendocrinology and translational biomedical research. He is a named inventor on two issued U.S. patents and co-founder of S.G. Endocrine Research, where he advances nanoparticle-based technologies for brain imaging, cancer treatment and non-surgical sterilization in animals. The company is pursuing veterinary regulatory registration in India with plans to launch its first product in 2026. In 2023, MohanKumar was named UGA’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Sheba MohanKumar’s research integrates neuroendocrinology, immunology and molecular biology to address long-term health outcomes linked to environmental exposures. She is a named inventor on two issued U.S. patents and co-founder of S.G. Endocrine Research, where she leads regulatory strategy and scientific execution for nanoparticle-based sterilization technologies. Her non-surgical sterilization platform has the potential to significantly reduce pet overpopulation and transform veterinary practice. MohanKumar also played a foundational role in developing UGA’s online master’s program in comparative biomedical sciences. Ritchie has built a 40-year career spanning infectious disease management and sustainable materials science, resulting in 10 issued U.S. patents, seven of which have been licensed or commercialized. His inventions include an avian polyomavirus vaccine and antimicrobial wound care technologies, as well as biodegradable polymer innovations developed through the New Materials Institute. His materials research has led to licensed technologies in compostable adhesives and PHA-based bioplastics for commercial products. Ritchie was named UGA Inventor of the Year in 2000. Zeltner is a leader in human pluripotent stem cell-based modeling of the peripheral nervous system, advancing disease modeling and regenerative medicine. She is a named inventor on two issued U.S. patents and founded NeelaCell Therapeutics to translate her stem cell-derived neuron and organoid technologies into commercial research platforms and future therapies. Her work on the compound genipin as a treatment for the rare disease familial dysautonomia has opened promising new avenues for preventing and treating neuropathies. Zeltner has also participated in Innovation Gateway’s programs, including the National Science Foundation I-Corps program, to advance her technologies toward commercialization. Zhao is a leader in nanofabrication, plasmonics and biosensing, holding 12 issued U.S. patents. He pioneered new techniques that enabled advanced three-dimensional nanostructures for sensing, catalysis and energy applications, and co-founded Argent Diagnostics to commercialize biosensing systems. His innovations enable rapid pathogen detection, environmental monitoring and hydrogen sensing technologies critical to public health and clean energy. Zhao has secured more than $25 million in research funding and authored more than 350 peer-reviewed publications. NAI Senior Members will be formally inducted on June 3 at the organization’s annual meeting. A full list of Senior Members is available on the NAI website.