Cooper Receives Innovation Award

On April 25, 2016, the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute honored Pitt Innovators who have had their inventions licensed out of the University at its 11th Annual Celebration of Innovation. The Marlin Mickle Outstanding Innovator Award was created to recognize a faculty member who exemplifies the passion and commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship of the late Dr. Marlin Mickle of the Swanson School of Engineering. Dr. Mickle was one of the most prolific innovators in the university’s history and helped mentor many others. The inaugural award was presented to Dr. Rory Cooper, Director of the Human Engineering Research Laboratory (HERL). Dr. Cooper has been issued eight patents with more pending, and has had many of his technologies licensed. He has forged strong collaborations with entrepreneurial and industry partners to speed the path to commercialization for innovations emerging from HERL that help the elderly and disabled lead more independent and fulfilling lives. He also encourages his students to pursue hands-on experiential entrepreneurship training through the Innovation Institute.

View the video hororing Dr. Cooper at YouTube. Learn more about the Celebration of Innovation at the Innovation Institute website.