by The University of Georgia is still at the forefront of transforming research into practical applications. According to AUTM’s annual study, UGA leads all U.S. universities for the third consecutive year in terms of the quantity of new commercial goods created by industry partners based on university research.
UGA set a new milestone in fiscal year 2024 when 69 new items were introduced to the market. These breakthroughs cover a wide range of industries, including biomedical research equipment, novel plant types, virtual reality disaster training, biodegradable polymers, and poultry vaccines.
According to Derek Eberhart, associate vice president for research and executive director of Innovation Gateway, “Being ranked among the top two universities for ten years is compelling recognition of the impactful research conducted by UGA faculty, staff, and students, our robust industry partnerships, and the university’s productive commercialization program.”
Weather the Storm, a virtual reality application that replicates the effects of storm surges inside a seaside home, is one of the new technologies. It provides users with a realistic, immersive experience of extreme weather risks and was developed in partnership with Clemson University, Georgia and South Carolina Sea Grants, and NOAA.
As part of its ongoing effort to streamline intricate bioresearch, UGA company Lectenz Bio also increased the range of instruments it offers for glycobiology.
Chris King, interim vice president for research, stated that these achievements are a testament to the skill, imagination, and commitment of our faculty, staff, and students. Their efforts and dedication contribute to UGA’s increasing standing as a national leader in innovation and research.
The commercialization of research at universities and other institutions is supported by AUTM, formerly known as the Association of University Technology Managers. Every year, the organization surveys startup and intellectual property licensing operations. The survey data is then used to create a report that ranks universities according to a number of tech-transfer criteria.
UGA was also ranked by AUTM:
- No. 4 for active licenses with industry (18 straight years in the top 10)
- No. 17 for licenses and options executed (18 straight years in the top 20)
For the first time, the university’s yearly research and development spending exceeded $600 million, and licensing revenue increased to $13.2 million in FY2024.
According to UGA Provost Benjamin C. Ayers, “a strong ecosystem that combines research, industry collaboration, and entrepreneurship supports our commitment to solving the world’s greatest challenges.”
