My curiosity for developments across various fields found a perfect home at UF Innovate. Contributing to the mission of technology licensing has been a privilege, exposing me to the forefront of research and innovation. Analyzing patents firsthand provided me with insights into cutting-edge developments, enhancing my understanding of the intricate world of intellectual property.

In addition to my primary role, I had the pleasure of working on marketing projects, an experience that proved to be a delightful blend of creativity and strategy. Explaining complex technologies in plain English not only made me a better communicator but also upgraded my writing game.

However, what truly made this journey exceptional is the incredible team that surrounds me. Andrea and Sara are not just colleagues; they’re like friendly guides. Got a question? They’re there to help. And if you’re lucky, you might snag a bite of Sara’s amazing brownies – a total mood booster!

The flexibility of this internship also has been a game-changer for me. I could juggle my hours around exams or plans, making life a whole lot easier.

As I transition from this role, I carry with me not only enhanced skills but also a sense of pride in being part of the UF Innovate family. And finally, GO GATORS!

As a graduate student in UF’s chemical engineering department, I am working with a professor to secure funding to research a new method of separating dissimilar gases, without chemical absorbents or phase changes. Our goal is to patent this technology if it works, so I took this internship to witness the tech commercialization process from the inside and contribute to the commercialization of other technologies.

Sara Dagen and Veronica Talavera manage the internship program. They enthusiastically welcomed me and answered every question I had. I have a demanding study schedule as a graduate student and contributor to UF’s Rocketry Club, so their flexibility makes it possible to make the most of my time at UF.

This internship exposes me to many different facets of technology, which will only increase my fluency in any situation I might encounter in my career as an engineer and technologist.

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The University of Florida and the University of South Florida ranked among the top 15 schools in the world to be granted U.S. utility patents last year, according to a new report.

The University of Florida ranked at No. 11 with 140 awarded and USF came in at No. 15 with 123 — a record number for the school.

Jim O’Connell, assistant vice president and head of UF Innovate, said areas like the Silicon Valley and Boston, known for innovation, are largely driven by their universities. He believes universities in Florida could do the same for the state.

But the number of patents a university is awarded, he said, is not the best measure of a university’s contributions.

“The real question is what do you do with that,” O’Connell said. “It’s great that you do this stuff but if the patent just sits on the shelf and never gets commercialized, it doesn’t even serve the basic function of a patent.”

In related news

In related news

The first formulation of Oxabact was patented and granted back in 1999. Since 2012, the company has developed a new, high-concentrated formulation of Oxabact designed to promote excretion of endogenous oxalate from blood plasma. The new formulation of Oxabact is under final Phase 3 clinical testing in patients with Primary Hyperoxaluria.

“We are happy to announce that our Oxabact product now has another 20 years of patent coverage in the US,” said Matthew Gantz, CEO of OxThera. “Oxabact has great potential to become a new treatment for hyperoxaluria.”

Published annually since 2013, the report ranks the top 100 universities named as first assignee on utility patents granted by the USPTO in the 2019 calendar year. The full report can be found here.

University of Florida ranked No. 15 with 115 patents granted during FY2019.

These activities contributed $10.4 billion, or 1.1%, to the Gross State Product of Florida and supported 134,609 full- and part-time jobs, which amounts to 1.1% of the workforce in the state.

Technology developed and patented by UF researchers through UF Innovate | Tech Licensing and UF/IFAS offices brought in an estimated annual sales revenue of $1.34 billion for companies around the state. This technology spans from surgical appliances and supplies to botanical manufacturing.