July 26th 2024.
Jackson State University has made history by becoming the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to be recognized by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). This prestigious nonprofit organization is dedicated to promoting academic inventors and has been inducting fellows since 2012. To be named a Fellow, one must have at least one U.S. patent under their name.
NAI's Founder's Award is a highly coveted honor that is presented to institutions that have contributed significantly to the organization's success by promoting innovation, diversity, and accessibility. JSU proudly received this award, making it the first Mississippi school to do so. The university became a charter member of NAI in 2011 and has since inducted several faculty members as Fellows.
The first JSU faculty member to be inducted as an NAI Fellow was Ernest Izevbigie in 2012. He had earned two patents and conducted research that led to the creation of EdoBotanics, a company launched by JSU that sells dietary supplements to boost the immune system and help cancer patients manage the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Other notable inductees include Kamal Ali, a computer engineering and electrical professor, and Danuta Leszczynska, who was recognized for her 2018 medical patent that eliminates inflammation and infection in patients with artificial implants.
JSU President Marcus Thompson expressed his pride and joy in this achievement, stating that it not only reflects the university's commitment to academic excellence but also its dedication to economic development and societal progress. He sees it as a significant milestone not just for JSU but for all HBCUs and the state of Mississippi.
With over 4,600 members and 260 institutions, NAI continues to celebrate individuals and universities like JSU that are using technology to make a positive impact on the world. Almesha Campbell, JSU's Division of Research and Economic Development assistant vice president, accepted the Founder's Award on behalf of the university. She has been an honorary member since 2022 and has been working with NAI since 2011.
Campbell believes that JSU's membership in NAI has played a vital role in promoting innovation and translating research into solutions that have a positive societal impact. Founded in 1877, JSU is one of the largest HBCUs in the country and the fourth-largest university in Mississippi in terms of student enrollment. The university is also a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and is classified as an "R2: Doctoral Universities- High research activity" institution.
In addition to its academic achievements, JSU is committed to empowering its students to tackle important issues such as sexual and reproductive health disparities. Through various initiatives, the university is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world and continues to be a leader in promoting academic excellence, innovation, and social progress.
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