Robert Cade

2014 Inductees

Robert Cade

Robert Cade, M.D.

Professor Emeritus
University of Florida

1927 – 2007

5 Patents

Dr. Cade developed Gatorade, which has protected countless amateur and professional athletes from heat-related injuries and has treated millions of people with dehydration diseases worldwide. Now owned by PepsiCo, Gatorade is listed by Forbes magazine as one of the world’s 40 most powerful sports brands and has annual sales of more than $4 billion. For the University of Florida (UF) and the citizens of Florida, the success of Gatorade has translated into more resources to support research. Since 1973, Gatorade has brought more than $200 million to the university, enabling UF to invest in countless research projects.

Thomas Edison

2014 Inductees

Thomas Edison

Thomas Edison

Inventor and Businessman

1847 – 1931

1,093 Patents

Thomas Edison is the most prolific inventor in U.S. history with 1,093 patents. No other inventor improved the standard of living of Americans in the 20th century as much as Edison. His inventions span diverse fields: electric lighting and power systems, batteries, recorded sound, and film. Edison contributed to both chemistry and botany with a project in Fort Myers to find a natural source of rubber to be grown in the U.S. during a national emergency. Credited for creating the first modern industrial research laboratory, Edison followed an empirical approach to scientific research and helped set the standard for how to invent. As the man of the millennium, Edison’s research and business practices created the model for today’s research laboratories, product development and invention processes.

William Glenn

2014 Inductees

William Glenn

William Glenn

B.E.E., M.S., Ph.D. (UC Berkeley)
Professor Emeritus, Florida Atlantic University

1926 – 2013

137 Patents

Dr. Glenn had a lifetime of innovations, achievements and contributions in the fields of high resolution imaging technology, electronic/optical physics and electrical engineering. A past VP/Director of Research at CBS Laboratories and Director of the NASA Imaging Technology Space Center, he developed high-definition digital imaging technology that had utility in military, aerospace, surveillance and consumer applications (Panavision). Glenn developed the High Definition Maximum Value (HDMAX) complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera, which exceeded the resolution and performance capabilities of all existing high definition television cameras. The camera was used by NASA at the international space station and versions of the HDMAX CMOS camera were developed for U.S. military use in coastline security and surveillance and by NASA for space-flight scientific observation, inspection and medical informatics.

John Gorrie

2014 Inductees

John Gorrie

John Gorrie, M.D.

Inventor, Humanitarian, Physician

1803 – 1855

1 Patent

Dr. Gorrie invented the ice-making machine and is considered the father of air conditioning and refrigeration. Gorrie’s invention began with an attempt to cure Yellow Fever during an outbreak in Apalachicola in 1841. Convinced that cold was a healer, he advocated the use of ice to cool sickrooms and reduce fever. Ice was shipped by boat from northern lakes until Gorrie’s successful experimentations with the rapid expansion of gases to create refrigeration.

The state of Florida honored Gorrie as a notable person in Florida’s history by donating the statue of John Gorrie to the National Statuary Hall collection located in the United States Capitol Building, and naming a Florida state park and museum in his honor.

Shyam Mohapatra

2014 Inductees

Shyam Mohapatra

Shyam Mohapatra

M.S., Ph.D., MBA, FAAAAI, FNAI
Distinguished Professor, USF Health
University of South Florida
Research Career Scientist
James A. Haley VA Hospital

41 Patents

Dr. Mohapatra is recognized for his many inventions in the field of nanoscale biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics in cancers, asthma, viral infections, traumatic brain injury. His inventions led to several customized cell-targeted nanoparticles with diverse drug payloads and a nano-HIV detection kit. Mohapatra cofounded TransGenex Nanobiotech Inc (TGN), which specializes in manufacturing these nanoscale products. TGN is also commercializing products for 3D cancer cell culture technology and services for anti-cancer drug discovery and personalized cancer treatment (PCTx). TGN is establishing a Reference Lab for PCTx prescription in collaboration with Florida Medical Clinics. Mohapatra’s research has brought USF over $20 million in extramural funds and includes inventions that have spun out companies. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.

Shin-Tson Wu

2014 Inductees

Shin-Tson Wu

Shin-Tson Wu, Ph.D., FNAI

Pegasus Professor of Optics in CREOL
The College of Optics and Photonics
University of Central Florida

93 Patents

Dr. Wu’s contributions to liquid crystal research and the resulting patent portfolio for next-generation liquid crystal displays, adaptive optics, laser beam steering, biophotonics, and new photonic materials, have had a major impact on display technology worldwide. His most significant development to date is the mixed-mode twisted nematic LC cell, which is an integral part of high-resolution, high-contrast reflective and transflective LCDs, including direct-view, projection and wearable displays. Wu’s technologies have enabled new types of optical beam control devices and have impacted many who have ever used an LCD product, such as a smart phone, computer screen and television. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors.