Office of Innovation and Commercialization at West Virginia University

06/08/2026

WVU’s Office of Innovation and Commercialization is excited to introduce the inaugural cohort of Innovation and Commercialization Scholars! Over the next eight weeks, nine students will take part in a hands-on, experiential learning program focused on the technology transfer process, gaining insight into how research becomes real-world impact.

We are excited to introduce Negar Farhang Doost in our first scholar spotlight. As a 5th-year PhD student in Biomedical Engineering, Negar’s research focuses on lab-on-a-chip systems, microfluidics, and translational diagnostics. She’s eager to learn more about how innovations make the leap beyond the lab. Looking ahead to a future in industry or postdoctoral research, she’s using this experience to build the skills needed to bring scientific discovery to life.

Join us in celebrating Negar and stay tuned for more spotlights on our incredible I&C Scholars!

06/04/2026

🔬 STEM researchers: Interested in exploring the real-world impact of your innovation?

This free NSF I-Corps virtual course offers customer discovery training, entrepreneurial skill-building, and expert coaching. Apply by June 17 for the July 6–August 5 cohort.

06/01/2026

In January 2026, WVU's Office of Innovation and Commercialization entered into a material deposit agreement with ATCC for a new species of Periglandula symbiotic with the morning glory Ipomoea tricolor, a fungus discovered by WVU’s Daniel Panaccione, Ph.D., and Corinne Hazel in the WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

ATCC is a global, nonprofit biological resource and standards organization dedicated to the acquisition, authentication, and distribution of biological reference materials and data. Founded in 1925, it is now the largest and most diverse biological resource center in the world. This arrangement deposits a WVU discovery with recognition to WVU and its scientists among ATCC's collection.

More information regarding the discovery deposited to ATCC is available here:

Making a discovery with the potential for innovative applications in pharmaceutical development, a West Virginia University microbiology student has found a long sought-after fungus that produces effects similar to the semisynthetic drug L*D, which is used to treat conditions like depression, post-t...

06/01/2026

From waste streams to strategic resources, WVU researchers are advancing technologies that could help strengthen America’s domestic critical minerals supply chain.

The launch of the WVU Rare Earth Elements Initiative highlights how university innovation can drive environmental solutions, economic opportunity and national impact.

Read more:

Building on previous groundbreaking discoveries of rare earth elements in acid mine drainage from retired coal mines, West Virginia University is launching the WVU Rare Earth Elements Initiative, or WVU REE, uniting researchers who focus on rare earths and critical minerals as they explore and secur...

05/23/2026

The WVU Office of Innovation and Commercialization works alongside faculty inventors like Sergiy Yakovenko to help move research beyond the lab and toward real-world impact, transforming strong ideas into technologies that can be tested, refined, and ultimately improve lives.

This story highlights Sergiy's team and their work advancing prosthetic technologies designed to improve mobility and quality of life for people living with limb loss. Their work reflects the importance of translational science, connecting discovery to application, and the persistence it takes to move promising research toward meaningful use.

We’re proud to support WVU inventors as they develop, protect, and advance their innovations toward commercialization and broader societal impact.

Could you imagine a prosthetic that feels completely natural? At the West Virginia University School of Medicine Neuromechanics and Engineering Lab, Sergiy Yakovenko and his team are working to make it a reality, one step at a time. Using machine learning, a virtual reality environment and flexible....

04/29/2026

🧬 Biotech researchers—what if your work didn’t stop at discovery?
The NSF I-Corps Conference Course is a free, four-week experience designed to help you take your innovation beyond the lab and into the real world.

From June 1 – July 1, you’ll:
✨ Explore the market potential of your research
✨ Connect with industry leaders and mentors
✨ Learn how to translate your ideas into real impact
If you’ve ever wondered how your work could reach people outside of academia, this is your chance to find out.

⏳ Applications close May 6—don’t miss it.

04/29/2026

The WVU I-Corps team at Bridging Innovation! 🚀

A big thank you to everyone who joined our workshop! We loved the opportunity to connect and explore how I-Corps can help accelerate your ideas and entrepreneurial programs.

04/28/2026

Today's the day! We’re excited to be attending the Annual West Virginia Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Bridging Innovation Conference!
If you’re here, be sure to connect with our team, we’d love to meet and collaborate!

Shout out to our own Katherine Lee, PhD, featured on the main stage this morning as she shared her entrepreneurial journey!

04/23/2026

🧬 Biotech researchers: your work has the power to go beyond the lab.

The NSF I-Corps Conference Course is a free, four-week experience designed to help you explore the market potential of your innovation and translate it into real-world impact.

Connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and take your research beyond the bench.

👉 Apply by May 6

04/17/2026

🧬 In biotech, every experiment holds the potential to change the world.

The NSF I-Corps Conference Course is a free, four-week experience designed to help you explore the market potential of your innovation and translate it into real-world impact.

Connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and take your research beyond the bench.
👉 Apply by May 6