National Academy of Inventors honors UF professors

Two University of Florida scientists are among the 168 new Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors, which recognizes the contributions of researchers from universities and nonprofit organizations who are named inventors on U.S. patents.

Roy Curtiss III, a professor in the department of infectious diseases and pathology at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine; and Ann Progulske-Fox, program director and distinguished professor in the department of oral biology at the UF College of Dentistry, are being recognized for their contributions to innovation in areas such as patents and licensing, innovative discovery and technology, significant impact on society, and support and enhancement of innovation.

In a career spanning more than 50 years, Curtiss has lent his expertise to the fields of genetics, microbiology, biomedical sciences and vaccinology. He recently developed multiple new innovative means to construct recombinant attenuated salmonella vaccine strains. Curtiss has been a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences since 2001.

Progulske-Fox has made significant contributions in microbiology that have increased understanding of the links between oral and systemic health. Her research interests focus on how successful pathogens survive and cause disease, and how bacteria from the mouth cause disease in other parts of the body. She was elected as a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science in October 2014.

Election to NAI Fellow status is a major professional distinction accorded to academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.

Those named today bring the total number of NAI Fellows to 582, representing more than 190 prestigious research universities as well as governmental and nonprofit research institutions.