Ken Dawson-Scully
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. — Ken Dawson-Scully, Ph.D., Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU’s) senior vice president of research, has been elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), the organization announced Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.
NAI Fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors. This year’s class is comprised of 170 exceptional individuals representing a wide array of disciplines. The full list of 2024 Fellows can be found here.
Dawson-Scully is also the senior vice president of economic development and associate provost at NSU. He is an accomplished neuroscientist with more than 40 publications in high-impact journals. He holds three U.S. patents, along with multiple patents pending, and has spun out two biotechnology companies based on his groundbreaking research. Most recently, he is the co-inventor of novel antiepileptic compounds, called Resveromorphs, which are more than 10,000 times more potent than existing drugs and have broad therapeutic potential.
The 2024 cohort exemplifies the Academy’s belief that groundbreaking innovation knows no bounds. The honorees represent 39 U.S. states and 12 countries, with 43% identifying as underrepresented inventors. These fellows hail from 135 research universities, governmental, and non-profit research institutions worldwide. Collectively, they hold over 5,000 issued U.S. patents and have made significant societal and economic impacts with their innovations.
“This year’s Class of NAI Fellows represents a truly impressive caliber of inventors. Each of these individuals is tackling real-world issues and creating solutions that propel us into the future. Through their work, they are making significant contributions to science, creating lasting societal impact, and growing the economy,” said Dr. Paul Sanberg, FNAI, President of the NAI. “We are excited to welcome and honor this newest Class of Fellows during our 2025 Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. I can think of no better group that exemplifies our conference theme, Forward Together: Innovating with Purpose.”
Since its founding in 2012, the NAI Fellows program has grown to include 2,068 exceptional researchers and innovators who collectively hold over 68,000 U.S. patents. Their contributions have generated over $3.2 trillion in revenue and 1.2 million jobs. The 2024 Class of Fellows will be honored and presented with their medals by a senior official of the United States Patent and Trademark Office at the NAI 14th Annual Meeting on June 26, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia.
In his role at NSU, Dawson-Scully has been instrumental in steering the university towards achieving Carnegie R1 classification, a prestigious designation that recognizes institutions with the highest level of research activity, with more than $50M in research expenditures most recently published. Dawson-Scully spearheaded strategic initiatives to increase research expenditures, grow intellectual property, and secure partnerships with industry leaders. Under his leadership, NSU has surpassed $160 million in active external research funding. These efforts have elevated NSU’s research profile and strengthened its commitment to impactful innovation and discovery.
As Florida’s largest private research university, NSU is a leader in innovation and groundbreaking research in the areas of health care, biotechnology, environmental life, and social sciences. NSU researchers are world-renowned experts making discoveries in the fight against cancer, neuroimmune diseases, and autism, as well as addressing climate change, saving our sea life, and protecting our oceans.
