2023 School of Medicine Inventor of the Year event celebrates Ricky Wang, brings together UW entrepreneurial community

On November 1, the University of Washington School of Medicine and CoMotion celebrated a remarkable convergence of innovation and ingenuity at the annual Inventor of the Year Award  at the School of Medicine’s South Lake Union campus. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding UW scientists whose inventions have had a major impact on both human health and our local economy.

The recipient of this year’s Inventor of the Year award is Ruikang “Ricky” Wang, professor of bioengineering and ophthalmology. Wang’s groundbreaking work in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) has revolutionized our understanding and capabilities in imaging blood flow within microcirculatory tissue beds in vivo. This technique, which does not rely on contrasting dyes, has been a game-changer in clinical ophthalmology, significantly advancing patient care and vision preservation.

Wang’s contributions to smartphone-based healthcare, particularly his novel technique for hyperspectral imaging on unmodified smartphones, demonstrate his commitment to accessible and cost-effective healthcare solutions. This innovation is poised to have a profound impact on the general public, leveraging the ubiquity of smartphones to improve patient outcomes.

“With the help of CoMotion, my technology has translated into real-world success and impact,” said Wang. “My CoMotion innovation manager, Lisa Norton, has been a keen strategist and a joy to work with.”

In attendance were Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert, vice dean of research and graduate education at SoM, and Princess Imoukhuede, the Hunter and Dorothy Simpson Endowed Chair of Bioengineering. They lauded Wang’s achievements, emphasizing the broad impact of his work on human health and the local economy, and his significant contributions to CoMotion’s mission.

The CoMotion Innovator Showcase, a perennial highlight of this annual gathering, featured seven researchers from a range of departments, including Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, and Anthropology, among others. These researchers presented cutting-edge projects in a series of dynamic “lightning-round” pitches, followed by an interactive poster session, networking, and the opportunity for attendees to vote for the most compelling pitch. This format provided both a platform for these emerging talents and a space for engaging discussions, including UW leadership, CoMotion staff, and members of the Seattle entrepreneurial community.

When the votes were tallied, Felicia Watson, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology working in the Murphy Lab, emerged with the top project of the evening: SkinVAX. This innovative microneedle patch, designed to mimic a mosquito bite, addresses critical challenges in malaria vaccine delivery and therapeutic testing. SkinVAX’s potential to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of malaria treatments reflects the importance of interdisciplinary research in tackling global health issues.

Watson’s work, supported by a CoMotion-Population Health Innovation Gap Fund Award, exemplifies the spirit of innovation and impact that CoMotion aims to foster among emerging academic entrepreneurs at UW. Her project, developed with Caroline Duncombe, Melanie J. Shears, and Sean C. Murphy, highlights the collaborative ethos that is a hallmark of UW’s approach to research and innovation.

Visit CoMotion’s website to learn more about how CoMotion supports UW innovators translating research from idea to impact.