UNeMed Honors Omaha Innovators at Annual Awards
The ceremony recognized key scientific breakthroughs and inventors at the University of Nebraska medical and research centers.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Biotech
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UNeMed celebrated its annual Innovation Awards this Wednesday at the Scott Conference Center in Omaha. The event highlighted significant research milestones, including new patent filings and invention submissions from University of Nebraska affiliates.
Why it matters
The ceremony honors the translation of academic research into practical applications, such as medical devices and software, emerging from the University of Nebraska Omaha and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
UNeMed secured 39 total patents during the 2026 fiscal year, consisting of 19 U.S. patents and 20 foreign patents. The organization successfully processed 136 new invention submissions from a pool of 235 unique inventors.
The players
UNeMed
This is the technology transfer office for the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Josh Havens
He is an innovator recognized for software development.
Joel Elson
He is a researcher honored for his contributions to chatbot technology.
Elizabeth Beam
She is a faculty member recognized for her work in respiratory protection.
Jonathan Vennerstrom
He is a professor who received a lifetime achievement award for his impact.
The details
Award winners included Josh Havens for injectable therapy software, Joel Elson for an anti-terrorism chatbot, and Elizabeth Beam for a respiratory protection device. Goldenrod Therapeutics was named Startup of the Year, while Jonathan Vennerstrom received the Lifetime Impact Award.
Timeline
Oct. 12-16, 2026: UNeMed hosted Innovation Week programming.
Oct. 14, 2026: UNeMed held the 2026 Innovation Awards ceremony.
2027: Steel Works Health Accelerator will continue operations.
The Tech Race
The event underscores the broader drive to convert academic research into commercial biotech and software products. It positions the University of Nebraska's innovation ecosystem against national hubs by showcasing its specific output of U.S. and foreign patent filings.
The development of new medical devices and therapy software could lead to improved clinical outcomes and more efficient treatment options for local patients. These innovations may eventually reach the market as licensed products, potentially enhancing local healthcare access.
The takeaway
Innovation awards help bridge the gap between laboratory research and real-world medical application. Local inventors continue to focus on diverse technologies ranging from respiratory protection to digital health tools.
What happens next
Steel Works Health Accelerator is scheduled to continue its operations throughout 2027 following the announcement of its second cohort in August 2026.
Further reading
For more information on regional research, visit the Biotech section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Silicon Prairie News.
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