Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

Vanderbilt University has announced this year’s Master Innovators. The recognition, presented by the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization, honors faculty whose groundbreaking research has been translated into transformative innovations, advancing their fields and making a significant impact on society.

“This recognition is intended to demonstrate the institution’s commitment to innovation at Vanderbilt and to celebrate faculty who have achieved measurable impact through engagement as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurship on campus,” said Alan Bentley, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Development.

The 2024 Master Innovators were selected based on their achievements across several categories of innovation and entrepreneurship, including inventions, patents, technologies licensed, companies launched, and products brought to market. Those in the latest class are:

1. Carrie Jones, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, is celebrated for her pioneering research in neuropharmacology at Vanderbilt’s Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery (WCNDD), focusing on therapeutic interventions for central nervous system disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Her work has deepened the understanding of receptor function in the brain and how these mechanisms can be targeted for treatment. Jones has more than 50 patents and applications at Vanderbilt and is deeply committed to transforming these discoveries into impactful products.
2. Colleen Niswender, another Associate Professor of Pharmacology, is renowned for her work in drug discovery and serves as the Director of Molecular Pharmacology for the WCNDD, focusing on neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Rett syndrome. Her research has led to key advancements in understanding metabotropic glutamate receptors’ role in CNS function, offering promising new therapeutic strategies that have advanced to clinical trials. Niswender has been named on numerous invention disclosures, many of which have been commercialized.
3. Alex Waterson, Research Professor of Pharmacology, recognized for his contributions to medicinal chemistry that have been instrumental in the discovery of new cancer therapeutics, particularly through his work targeting “undruggable” protein-protein interactions, in collaboration with Stephen Fesik, Orrin H. Ingram II Chair in Cancer Research. As a recent Vanderbilt Innovation Ambassador, he plays a key role in translating academic discoveries into real-world applications. Waterson has been a driving force in national cancer drug discovery initiatives, including leading Vanderbilt’s Chemical Biology Consortium site. He is the inventor on 21 issued U.S. patents and has another 50 in prosecution.
4. Colleen Brophy, Professor of Vascular Surgery, is a leading surgeon in the field as well as an entrepreneur whose research has revolutionized vascular biology, particularly in preventing vascular complications and improving patient surgical outcomes. With more than 50 U.S. patents and applications to her name, Brophy also founded AzERx, a biotechnology start-up acquired by Capstone Therapeutics. Her work exemplifies the type of translational research that the Master Innovator Award seeks to honor.
5. Robert Webster, Richard A. Schroeder Professor of Mechanical Engineering, is a pioneering figure in surgical robotics, leading transformative work in minimally invasive surgical procedures. His innovations have resulted in more than 75 patents and applications, and he has founded two start-up companies, Virtuoso and EndoTheia. The latter received a breakthrough device designation from the U.S. FDA in 2023. Webster’s work continues to push the boundaries of surgical robotics, ensuring Vanderbilt remains at the forefront of medical technology innovation. He is also one of the inaugural Vanderbilt Innovation Ambassadors.

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