Florida State University Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), an honor regarded as the highest professional distinction for academic inventors.
“This prestigious recognition is a testament to Dr. Patterson’s remarkable track record of innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit,” said FSU President Richard McCullough. “Dr. Patterson’s dedication to advancing research and turning ideas into impactful solutions has inspired our entire university community. I’m proud to call her my colleague and celebrate this achievement.”
NAI Fellows are chosen for their significant contributions to innovation, including inventions that have had a measurable impact on quality of life, economic development, and societal welfare.
Patterson has served as FSU’s Vice President for Research since 2022. She holds several U.S. patents related to detection platforms and engineered cell lines designed to support drug discovery and toxicity testing. Her work led to the founding of 490 BioTech, a Knoxville-based startup recognized among the top ten innovations in 2013 by The Scientist Magazine.
“Being named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors is an incredible honor,” Patterson said. “I firmly believe that our responsibility as academic innovators extends beyond discovery — we must actively translate the knowledge and breakthroughs developed within our universities into real-world solutions to help improve lives. This part of our mission inspires me daily, driving my passion to ensure that our researchers and ideas create meaningful, lasting benefits for society.”
At Florida State University, Patterson oversees a $487 million research operation. She has directed efforts to revamp commercialization activities at the university and secured a $6 million grant from the National Science Foundation called IGNITE-FSU, aimed at promoting translational research with commercial potential.
Patterson also led the creation of FSU’s first comprehensive research strategic plan, ASPIRE, played a key role in developing FSU Health, and contributed significantly to InSPIRE—a manufacturing and aerospace initiative supported by $98.4 million from Triumph Gulf Coast.
Before joining FSU, she was Vice President for Research, Outreach, and Economic Development at the University of Tennessee system. There she contributed to major initiatives such as establishing the Composites Institute—a $259 million public-private partnership involving over 130 organizations—and launching the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute with more than $100 million in funding from both public and private sources.
The NAI Fellows program began in 2012 to honor inventors in academia, government, and non-profit institutions for their contributions. The current class includes 169 U.S.-based academic inventors and 16 international fellows.
“NAI Fellows are a driving force within the innovation ecosystem, and their contributions across scientific disciplines are shaping the future of our world,” said Paul R. Sanberg, President of the National Academy of Inventors. “We are thrilled to welcome this year’s class of Fellows to the Academy. They are truly an impressive cohort, and we look forward to honoring them at our 15th Annual Conference in Los Angeles next year.”
A senior official from the United States Patent and Trademark Office will recognize this year’s honorees during the NAI Annual Conference scheduled for June 2025.
