KU accepting nominations for Jim Baxendale Commercialization Award

LAWRENCE – The University of Kansas continues to support the commercialization of university research into new products, cures and treatments. As part of this effort, KU is now accepting nominations for the second annual Jim Baxendale Commercialization Award, which recognizes a single KU researcher for excellence in entrepreneurship and commercialization.

Named after former KU Commercialization Director Jim Baxendale, the award recognizes a faculty member for excellence in research commercialization — i.e., translating academic discoveries into commercially viable products that improve lives and grow the economy.

The award is sponsored by the University of Kansas Innovation & Collaboration (KUIC), the unit that heads KU’s entrepreneurship and commercialization efforts.

“Part of KU’s mission is making discoveries that change the world,” said Julie Goonewardene, associate vice chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship and KUIC president. “This award recognizes an outstanding faculty member who has excelled at transferring KU discoveries from the laboratory to the marketplace in a way that benefits our lives and grows the Kansas economy.”

Faculty and staff can submit nominations online. Nominators should provide detail on how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in commercialization, including:

• descriptions of innovations/technologies developed by the nominee
• descriptions of an unmet need and potential of the technology, as well as current commercialization status
• list of disclosures, licensing agreements and patents (if available)
• external validation of marketplace achievement

The nomination deadline is Tuesday, April 15. The winner will be announced May 1 at KUIC’s Innovation Fair.

Last year’s winner was Lisa Stehno-Bittel, professor and chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science in the School of Health Professions and co-founder of startup company Likarda.

Jim Baxendale worked for nearly 16 years in the field of technology transfer at KU, most notably as executive director of the University of Kansas Center for Technology Commercialization from 2008-12.

Entrepreneurship and commercialization are key components of KU's strategic plan, Bold Aspirations. Some key metrics and outputs:

• In Fiscal Year 2013, KU filed for 143 patents and was issued 37 patents.
• Last year, KU’s industry-funded research grew to $10.1 million.
• KU hosted 34 company visits in 2013.
• KU has nearly 80 active license agreements for the commercial use of KU discoveries.
• There are 24 active startups created from KU research.