--- title: Innovation Institute Blog (2) description: Discover cutting-edge research, groundbreaking innovations, and entrepreneurial insights at the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute Blog. Explore transformative ideas in technology, healthcare, and more from leading experts and pioneers in academia and industry. Stay informed, inspired, and connected to the forefront of innovation at Pitt. (2) --- [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) Menu Close - [About](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/) - [Who We Are](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/who-we-are/) - [Annual Reports](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/annual-reports/) - [Startups/Success Stories](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [News](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/news/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/) - [Innovation Institute Newsletters](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt_impact_newsletter/) - [Staff Directory](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Programs](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Program Listings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Events](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/events-competitions/) - [Resources](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-ii-resources/) - [For Inventors](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/for-inventors/) - [Invention Disclosure](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/invention-disclosure/) - [Intellectual Property](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/) - [Inventor’s Guide](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/2021-inventors-guide/) - [Create A Startup](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/#anchortag-create-startup) - [Funding](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/funding/) - [For Industry](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Partner with Pitt](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Search Technologies](https://upitt.resoluteinnovation.com/explore) - [Explore Pitt Startups](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [Licensing Templates](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/licensing-templates/) - [Contact](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/contact/) - [Get Involved](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/get_involved) - [Become A Mentor](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/mentor/) ##### Connect with Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pittinnovates) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pittinnovates) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pitt-innovation-institute) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pittinnovates/) [Skip to main content](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/page/2#main) [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) Search for: Search Choose Research Site: Research Sites Pitt Research (main) Research Computing Research Protections Sponsored Programs Trade Compliance - [About](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/) - [Who We Are](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/who-we-are/) - [Annual Reports](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/annual-reports/) - [Startups/Success Stories](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [News](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/news/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/) - [Innovation Institute Newsletters](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt_impact_newsletter/) - [Staff Directory](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Programs](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Program Listings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Events](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/events-competitions/) - [Navigate Our Offerings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/navigate-our-programs-step-1/) - [Resources](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-ii-resources/) - [For Inventors](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/for-inventors/) - [Invention Disclosure](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/invention-disclosure/) - [Intellectual Property](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/) - [Inventor’s Guide](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/2021-inventors-guide/) - [Create A Startup](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/#anchortag-create-startup) - [Funding](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/funding/) - [For Industry](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Partner with Pitt](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Search Technologies](https://upitt.resoluteinnovation.com/explore) - [Explore Pitt Startups](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [Licensing Templates](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/licensing-templates/) - [Contact](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/contact/) - [Get Involved](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/get_involved) - [Submit Invention Disclosure](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/invention-disclosure/) # Blog ## [Staff Spotlight: Rhonda Carson Leach](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/staff-spotlight-rhonda-carson-leach) January 2, 2025 The Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE), the unit of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship dedicated to providing small business entrepreneurs throughout Western Pennsylvania with education, consulting, and networking opportunities to help them launch, grow and transition their businesses. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/staff-spotlight-rhonda-carson-leach) ## [Innovation Commercialization With a Little Help From Some Friends](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/innovation-commercialization-with-a-little-help-from-some-friends) December 17, 2024 The adage goes, it takes a village to raise a child. To translate a technology developed from Pitt research to market takes a thriving, expanding innovation ecosystem. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/innovation-commercialization-with-a-little-help-from-some-friends) ## [Pitt Innovators Commit to the Gridiron of Academic Entrepreneurship](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-innovators-commit-to-the-gridiron-of-academic-entrepreneurship) November 18, 2024 When it comes to academic innovation and entrepreneurship, Pitt is blessed with an overflowing roster of 5-star recruits. They are putting points on the board, submitting a new invention disclosure to the Innovation Institute, part of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, every single day of the year on average; being issued more than 100 patents; and having their technologies licenses more than 130 times in the last fiscal year. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-innovators-commit-to-the-gridiron-of-academic-entrepreneurship) ## [Surgical Device Innovations Take Top Prizes in the 2024 Wells Student Healthcare Competition](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/surgical-device-innovations-take-top-prizes-in-the-2024-wells-student-healthcare-competition) November 4, 2024 Hilary Liu and Ben Leslie are both Pitt School of Medicine students enduring the tremendous rigor that entails. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/surgical-device-innovations-take-top-prizes-in-the-2024-wells-student-healthcare-competition) ## [Women Entrepreneurship Week: Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs Across the OIE](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/wew-celebrating-women-entrepreneurs-across-the-oie) October 21, 2024 Across the University of Pittsburgh, women faculty, students, alumni, and regional small business owners are showing what is Possible at Pitt, by breaking new paths as innovators and entrepreneurs. For Women Entrepreneurship Week we are highlighting just a few of these women whose passion and ingenuity have resulted in new companies and new initiatives for making positive change at Pitt and in the world. 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