AUBURN, Ala. — The Auburn University Office of Technology Transfer presented its Excellence in Innovation Award to Joseph Kloepper, plant pathology professor in the College of Agriculture, during the fourth annual luncheon of the Auburn University chapter of the National Academy of Inventors in April.
Kloepper’s work uses beneficial bacteria as microbial inoculants to promote plant growth and provide biological disease control. Biological materials developed by Kloepper are being commercialized by BASF Corp. in Ames, Iowa. Kloepper is known internationally for defining soil bacteria that colonize plant roots to enhance plant growth as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria.
“The award that Dr. Kloepper received this year is a testament to the kind of creative translational research that attracts excellent industry partners, like BASF,” said John Weete, Auburn University acting assistant vice president for technology transfer and commercialization.
The honor, given to Kloepper for 2013, is presented annually to an Auburn University inventor who demonstrates exceptional achievements in innovation and translational research. Previous winners include Dave Worley, professor emeritus in the College of Sciences and Mathematics; Chris Roberts, dean of the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering; and Vitaly Vodyanoy, professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine.
The National Academy of Inventors was formed in 2010 and has grown to 113 institutional members, including some of the most prestigious research universities in the U.S., and more than 3,000 individual members.
Individual membership requires applicants to have an affiliation with a member institution and to be an inventor of an issued U.S. patent. Eligible faculty, students and members of the community interested in joining the Auburn chapter may contact the Office of Technology Transfer at 334-844-4977.
