Morgan State Celebrates Innovation and Impact at 7th Annual Innovation of the Year Awards

Event Highlights Record Year in Patents, Recognizes Trailblazing Faculty, Staff, and Student Contributions

Morgan State University’s ongoing ascent as a national hub for research and innovation took center stage during the University’s 7th Annual Innovation of the Year Awards, held on April 7, 2025. Hosted by the Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) within the Division of Research and Economic Development (D-RED), the celebration marked a milestone year for Morgan—one that saw a record number of U.S. patents awarded and historic strides in intellectual property development across disciplines.

In a ceremony held in the University Student Center, faculty, staff, and students were honored for their pioneering work in scientific discovery, applied research, and academic innovation. Awards were distributed in key categories including Life, Physical, and Information Sciences; Instructional, Staff, and Student Innovation; and U.S. Patents issued through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

“For a thriving research university, innovation is not optional—it is essential. It is the engine that powers discovery, drives societal progress, and creates solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges,” said President David K. Wilson. “At Morgan, we are intentional about cultivating a culture where innovation is not only encouraged but expected—across disciplines, roles, and generations. The work recognized through our Innovation of the Year Awards is proof that when creativity and research collide with purpose, the impact reaches far beyond our campus and into communities around the globe.”

2025 Award Highlights: Breakthroughs Across Disciplines

The Intellectual Property Innovation award recognizes individuals who have created innovations in their respective research fields. Intellectual Property Disclosures are considered for this award and evaluated on their potential benefit to society, the improvement over existing technology, and commercial potential. This year’s Intellectual Property Innovation Awards went to:

• Dr. Ming Liu for cross-bred, fast-growing oysters resilient in low salinity (Life Sciences)
• Dr. Dong Hee Kang and Dr. Enrique Pajardo for a microbial fuel cell generating renewable energy from wastewater (Physical Sciences)
• Dr. James Hunter and Ida Yanou for a quantitative method to assess green infrastructure (Information Sciences)

Morgan Community Innovators are students, faculty, and staff whose visionary ideas and actions drive meaningful change across the University. Whether advancing instruction, enhancing institutional operations, or creating innovations with broad community impact, these individuals embody Morgan’s commitment to progress, excellence, and transformative leadership. This year’s Morgan Community Innovators included:

• Yulai Yang, a student with two U.S. patents and co-authorship on more than 18 publications, named Student Innovator of the Year
• Dr. Letitia Williams, developer of the Learning First Curriculum for student affairs, named Instructional Innovator of the Year
• Craig Bullock, who reimagined career service access through customized platforms, named Staff Innovator of the Year

The University also celebrated 17 newly awarded U.S. patents across diverse fields such as stormwater management, public housing evaluation, biosensors, driver distraction detection, and oyster aquaculture, bringing Morgan’s patent count to 34 as of 2024. Notably, Morgan led all HBCUs in patents granted in 2023 and was the only HBCU listed among the Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents, according to the National Academy of Inventors.

The Patent Awards are presented to Morgan inventors who have been issued a U.S. patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The following patents were recognized:

Innovation as Inclusive Excellence

In his remarks, Dr. Willie E. May, Vice President of D-RED, highlighted Morgan’s path to R1 classification and the inclusive approach that underpins it. OTT Director Wayne Swann emphasized that over 90% of Morgan’s innovations include underrepresented or minority inventors—proof that the University is not only driving discovery but diversifying it.

With the Innovation of the Year Awards, Morgan reaffirms its mission to amplify Black excellence in science, technology, business, and education—cultivating a future where ideas and impact move together.

Established as a unit within the Division of Research and Economic Development, the MSU Office of Technology Transfer safeguards the interests of the University and its personnel in matters relating to intellectual property and technology transfer. The OTT is responsible for the recording of Intellectual Property Disclosures; the assessment, marketing and licensing of University intellectual property; the protection of intellectual property (IP), including filing patent applications; and assuring the proper allocation and distribution of related revenue. Since its launch, the OTT has worked tirelessly to highlight innovators who have made significant contributions to their fields.