Moffitt Cancer Center Announces the 2024 National Academy of Inventors Fellows
TAMPA, Fla. — David Morse, Ph.D., an associate member in the Molecular Medicine Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. NAI Fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors and this year’s class is comprised of 170 exceptional individuals. The full list of 2024 fellows can be found here.
Morse’s research themes include: cancer cell-surface target discovery, development of cell-surface target binding moieties, and development of cell-surface targeted conjugates for delivery of imaging contrast and/or therapy. His recent work has focused on the development of systemically administered targeted alpha-particle radiotherapies with companion imaging tracers, and fluorescence molecular imaging agents and nuclear imaging tracer conjugates for surgical guidance.
Morse is inventor on 17 issued patents and 13 filed patent applications. The goal is translation of these novel radiopharmaceuticals and fluorescence molecular imaging conjugates for clinical testing. A first in-human phase I clinical trial is ongoing at Moffitt to test a metastatic uveal melanoma targeted alpha-particle therapy that was initially developed in Morse’s laboratory.
The 2024 cohort of fellows exemplifies the academy’s belief that groundbreaking innovation knows no bounds and inventors can be found everywhere. This is evident in the fact that the honorees represent 39 U.S. states and 12 countries, and 43% identify as underrepresented inventors.
The 2024 fellows hail from 135 research universities, governmental and nonprofit research institutions worldwide and their work spans various disciplines. They are not only phenomenal researchers holding prestigious honors and distinctions such as the Nobel Prize, U.S. National Medal of Technology and Innovation and National Medal of Science, and membership to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, but are also incredible inventors who collectively hold over 5,000 issued U.S. patents and whose innovations are making significant tangible societal and economic impacts today and well into the future.
“This year’s class of NAI Fellows represents a truly impressive caliber of inventors. Each of these individuals are tackling real-world issues and creating solutions that propel us into the future. Through their work, they are making significant contributions to science, creating lasting societal impact, and growing the economy,” said Dr. Paul Sanberg, FNAI, President of the NAI. “NAI Fellows as a whole are a driving force of innovation, generating crucial advancements across scientific disciplines and creating tangible impacts as they move their technologies from lab to marketplace. We are excited to welcome and honor this newest class of fellows during our 2025 Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. I can think of no better group that exemplifies our conference theme, Forward Together: Innovating with Purpose.”
Since its founding in 2012, the NAI Fellows program has grown to include 2,068 exceptional researchers and innovators, who hold over 68,000 U.S. patents and 20,000 licensed technologies. NAI Fellows are known for the societal and economic impact of their inventions, contributing to major advancements in science and consumer technologies. Their innovations have generated over $3.2 trillion in revenue and generated 1.2 million jobs. The 2024 class of Fellows will be honored and presented their medals by a senior official of the United States Patent and Trademark Office at the NAI 14th Annual Meeting on June 26 in Atlanta.
About Moffitt Cancer Center
Moffitt is dedicated to one lifesaving mission: to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer. The Tampa-based facility is one of only 57 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers, a distinction that recognizes Moffitt’s scientific excellence, multidisciplinary research, and robust training and education. Moffitt’s expert nursing staff is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with Magnet® status, its highest distinction. For more information, call 1-888-MOFFITT (1-888-663-3488), visit MOFFITT.org, and follow the momentum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About the National Academy of Inventors
The National Academy of Inventors is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutes, with over 4,000 individual inventor members and Fellows spanning more than 250 institutions. It was founded in 2010 to recognize and encourage inventors with patents issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the disclosure of intellectual property, educate and mentor innovative students, and translate the inventions of its members to benefit society. Inaugurated by the USPTO, the Academy and the USPTO have enjoyed a collaborative partnership. Most recently this has been reflected in their joint mission to expand access to underrepresented individuals and institutions participating in the invention and innovation ecosystem.
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