Binghamton University hosts third annual Innovation to Impact symposium

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WBNG) -- The third annual Innovation to Impact symposium was held at Binghamton University to honor faculty advancing technology.

The event was held on Wednesday, April 29, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Innovative Technologies Complex located in the Engineering and Science Building on campus.

“This is an event to highlight translational research going on at Binghamton University, as well as support mechanisms, both part of our ecosystem and nationally, that can help take things from lab to market,” said Katie Cherny, senior program manager for the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships at BU.

The assembly celebrated BU faculty inventor accomplishments and displayed panels emphasizing commercialization opportunities and the region’s resources for the BU community.

17 BU faculty members were awarded 18 patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office this year.

“Advancing research and societal impact is one of the key missions of Binghamton University... and so, there is definitely a strong commitment where strategic funding personnel and resources are being dedicated to support faculty innovators on campus. This year we’re awarding 22 inventors with 18 patents, which is, you know, incredible,” Cherny said.

This year’s event presented two keynote speaker talks:

• Mike Brizek, director of Programs and Higher Education Ecosystems of VentureWell, discussed how institutions can better equip faculty and student innovators to translate research into adaptable, real-world solutions.
• Alex Nikulin, who received an EXCEED Seed Translational Research Project grant. Nikulin advanced his drone technology, reducing the time needed to analyze land surveys for potential safety hazards, such as landmines, from weeks to minutes.

“Advancing research and societal impact is one of the key missions of Binghamton University... and so there is definitely a strong commitment where strategic funding personnel and resources are being dedicated to support faculty innovators on campus,” Cherny said.

The program was hosted by Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships (EIP), which provides inventor success resources to BU students, faculty, staff and community members, according to BU’s research division website.

Excellence in Entrepreneurship and Discovery (EXCEED) program supported the event, which is designed to strengthen Binghamton’s research portfolio and regional innovation ecosystem, according to BU’s research division website.

EXCEED has provided about $1 million in research and development funding since 2024. They have assisted 21 students with internships and fellowships totaling nearly $100,000 and trained approximately 30 faculty, students and staff in entrepreneurship and research commercialization.

Graduating from BU with a PhD in 2018, Cherny says it’s incredible to be able to support the faculty that once taught her.

“I actually was a student entrepreneur myself and was involved in some of the programs that are still here today... So it’s this full circle life cycle where now I’m on the other side, and I’m just really grateful for the opportunity,” Cherny said.