Four Texas State University faculty members have been inducted into the 2025 class of senior members of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). The recognition highlights their exceptional contributions to innovation, technology commercialization and mentorship in science and engineering.
“This recognition is a powerful testament to the culture of innovation and academic excellence we are fostering at Texas State,” said Pranesh B. Aswath, Ph.D., Provost, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, and NAI Fellow. “Our faculty are pushing the boundaries of knowledge while mentoring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. The impact of their work extends beyond academia to real-world applications that benefit society.”
The newly inducted senior members include:
Tania Betancourt, Ph.D.
Tania Betancourt, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, recognized for her groundbreaking work in polymeric biomaterials and nanomedicine, including two U.S. patent applications. Her research in photoactivatable cancer prodrugs and advanced drug delivery systems has led to multiple patents and real-world applications in cancer treatment and biosensors. She is also the director of the NSF PREM Center for Intelligent Materials Assembly, which fosters innovation and mentorship in materials science.
Sean Kerwin, Ph.D.
Sean Kerwin, Ph.D., University Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and director of the Materials Science, Engineering and Commercialization (MSEC) program, honored for his contributions to drug discovery and chemical innovation. Holding 16 U.S. patents, Kerwin’s pioneering research on telomerase inhibition and DNA-targeted cancer therapeutics has been instrumental in the development of novel anticancer drugs and diagnostic tools. His leadership in student entrepreneurship and commercialization has resulted in multiple student-founded startups.
Oleg Komogortsev, Ph.D.
Oleg Komogortsev, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Computer Science, recognized for his advancements in eye-tracking technology, cybersecurity and biometric authentication, including four U.S. patents. His machine learning-driven eye movement biometrics have influenced healthcare diagnostics, cybersecurity and accessibility technologies. With multiple patents and industry collaborations—including Meta and Apple—his innovations are shaping the future of secure user authentication and medical diagnostics.
Jelena Teśić, Ph.D.
Jelena Tešić, Ph.D., an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science, honored for her transformative contributions to multimedia systems, artificial intelligence and data analytics. With seven U.S. patents, her work in automated detection, large-scale data processing, and predictive modeling has impacted fields such as healthcare, transportation, and social network analysis. As the leader of DataLab@TXST and co-founder of the Center for Analytics and Data Science (CADS), she has secured more than $5 million in research funding while mentoring the next generation of innovators.
These four faculty members exemplify the university’s commitment to research excellence and innovation. NAI senior membership is an honor awarded to academic inventors with a demonstrated history of patents, licensing and technology commercialization, as well as a strong record of mentoring student inventors.
“This recognition by the National Academy of Inventors underscores the groundbreaking research and real-world impact of Texas State faculty members in diverse fields, from healthcare and cybersecurity to artificial intelligence and materials science,” said Shreek Mandayam, Ph.D., vice president of Research at TXST.
“Drs. Betancourt, Kerwin, Komogortsev and Tešić are not only pioneering transformative technologies but are also shaping the next generation of inventors and entrepreneurs. Their work embodies the mission of Texas State as a leader in innovation and applied research.”
With this distinction, TXST continues to enhance its reputation as a hub for cutting-edge research and industry collaboration.
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