Florida State University President Richard McCullough was inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Tampa. McCullough was recognized for his work on regioregular polythiophenes, a type of polymer, and other advances in organic electronic materials. He was also acknowledged for founding companies that have contributed to the commercialization of printable electronics and reactive metal inks.
“I’m honored to be recognized for this achievement,” McCullough said. “Founding companies based on my research gave me a firsthand look at how scientific discovery can make the most impact on society. I try to bring the same entrepreneurial and enterprising mindset to my leadership of FSU.”
The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame honors inventors connected to Florida who have made significant contributions that improve quality of life in the United States. The initiative also aims to promote discovery, creativity, and inspire future innovators.
McCullough’s polymers can be structured in three dimensions, which enhances their electrical properties. These features make them suitable for use in solar cells and field-effect transistors. His work with conductive ink led to technology that enables printed electronics with improved capabilities compared to other metallic inks.
Throughout his academic career, McCullough has been involved in various innovation efforts. At Carnegie Mellon University, where he served as professor and vice president for research, he created programs like the Greenlighting Start-ups Initiative, which increased university spin-out companies and corporate partnerships.
Before joining Florida State University, McCullough held positions at Harvard University as vice provost for research and professor of materials science and engineering. There, he started the Harvard Data Science Initiative involving 12 schools and over 120 faculty members. He also led a collaboration to establish Landmark Bio, a $100 million center focused on medical research, education, economic development, and workforce training.
In 2013, McCullough became a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.
He joins three other FSU-affiliated members in the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame: Robert Holton (inventor of Taxol), Thomas Lipo (known for innovations in electrical machinery), and Alan George Marshall (director of FSU’s Ion Cyclotron Resonance Program).
More information about this recognition is available at the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame website.
