AUTM Updates

AUTM CEO Steve Susalka Receives The Sentinel Award at NAI 2025 Conference

 
We’re proud to announce that AUTM CEO, Steve Susalka, was awarded the prestigious Sentinel Award today at the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2025 Conference held this week in Atlanta! The Sentinel Award recognizes individuals whose actions and support have significantly advanced NAI’s mission: to continually recognize inventors and enhance the visibility of technology and innovation.
 
The award acknowledges Steve’s outstanding leadership in the tech transfer sector, where he has played a pivotal role in advancing the commercialization of university research and fostering collaborations between academic institutions and industry. His contributions have had a lasting impact on the field, furthering the reach and impact of innovation in the U.S. and beyond.
 
Dr. Paul Sanberg, presenter of the award, spoke to Susalka’s contributions: “His advocacy and leadership have opened doors for inventors and helped ensure that academic discoveries reach society. We are proud to recognize his service and vision.”
 
In addition to receiving the Sentinel Award, Steve moderated panel titled NSF Funded Initiatives, which included Immediate Past Board Chair Andrew Maas as a panelist. The discussion centered on the NSF-funded innovation opportunities including the  ART (Accelerating Research Translation) Program, a collaborative innovation ecosystem of more than 35 universities working to advance translational research toward commercialization and the Regional Innovation Engines which is designed to supporting multiple flourishing regional innovation ecosystems across the U.S., spurring economic growth.
 
The NAI 2025 Conference, taking place from June 23-26 in Atlanta, gathers the world’s foremost innovators and experts, fostering invaluable networking opportunities and discussions about the latest breakthroughs in the discovery ecosystem.