Baylor Inventors Celebrated at 2026 Innovation 2 Impact Event
More than sixty Baylor University inventors were recognized and celebrated by the Office of Innovation & Economic Development at the 2026 Innovation 2 Impact reception on May 6, 2026. The event was held at the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative. Roughly half of the honorees were faculty and students from the School of Engineering and Computer Science.
“In partnership with our Office of General Counsel, the Innovation and Economic Development team is proud to be part of advancing the impact of the University by supporting our community of inventors,” said John Crandall, director of research, innovation and economic development. “The Baylor inventors bring the strength of their research and the inspiration of their creativity to solve problems and enable new opportunities that can impact the world.”
The event also included remarks from Provost Nancy Brickhouse, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Research Kevin Chambliss, Ph.D., and Brit Nelson, a patent attorney. The honorees were awarded custom challenge coins to commemorate the moment.
Several faculty and student inventors also gave testimonials about their experiences pursuing patents and the support they have received from the Office of Innovation and Economic Development as Baylor continues to make progress as an R1 Research university.
Excerpts of testimonials given by ECS faculty and students:
“I really appreciate the team here that gives us a lot of encouragement when they say the value of what we are doing in our research is shown through the patent application process. I'm extremely grateful for that.” – Lulin Jiang, Ph.D., assistant professor of mechanical engineering. Her research in fuel-flexible combustion technology at landfills has garnered national attention.
“Working on patent submissions with Dr. Gary DeBoer has been a very great experience. He goes above and beyond to make sure we have a good approach and meet key deadlines.” – Vincent Leung, Ph.D., associate professor of Electrical and Computer Science. Among his projects, Leung collaborates with a neuro-oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center on a treatment for glioblastoma, a highly-aggressive form of brain cancer.
“Even me being here today goes to show how much Baylor professors, faculty and staff believe in the students. I've been able to start and accomplish so much here and learn so much about the industry and the real world. It's because of so many professors who see students for their skills and their potential. In my Senior Design course, they gave the project to six seniors and trusted us to create something. That is really cool. I encourage you to continue to believe in your students and to see the possibilities and fresh ideas that students can create.” – Taylor Martini, senior mechanical engineering major who will be a systems engineer associate with Lockheed Martin upon graduation.
Inventions created by Baylor faculty in recent years span aerospace, digital communications, health and more, with researchers from a variety of departments collaborating to innovate. The Office of Innovation and Economic Development, housed within Baylor’s Office of the Vice Provost for Research, manages all intellectual property generated at the University with the goal of positively impacting society.
“Baylor’s alignment and momentum around research runs throughout the University, from faculty to our Innovation and Economic Development team and Office of General Counsel,” Kevin Chambliss, Ph.D., vice provost for research, said. “Our researchers have contributed to patents that have led to the formation of new companies, and I’m excited to see where their efforts lead in the future.”
ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND COMPUTER SCIENCE AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor ECS is advancing as a premier School of Engineering and Computer Science in research and education with a commitment to Christian values. Majors include aerospace engineering, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, computer science, data science, cybersecurity, computer engineering, electrical and computer engineering, general engineering and mechanical engineering. ECS offers a number of graduate and Ph.D. programs, including interdisciplinary degrees in Materials Science and Engineering. The school also offers accelerated degree programs and graduate professional certificates. ECS stands out from the crowd through Christian commitment, R1 research, a caring community, personalized career support, expert faculty and leading practical experience. Visit the ECS website to learn more and follow on Instagram and Facebook.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.