The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is proud to announce its 2025 inductees — 10 pioneering inventors whose groundbreaking contributions span disciplines ranging from nanotechnology and regenerative medicine to energy systems and video technologies. Their work has established and reshaped entire fields, propelled scientific progress and exemplified the spirit of innovation that defines Florida’s growing ecosystem of discovery and enterprise.

“The 2025 Inductees reflect the extraordinary breadth and depth of innovation flourishing in Florida and beyond,” said Sylvia Wilson Thomas, vice president for research and innovation at the University of South Florida and chair of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Advisory Board. “These individuals have not only advanced their fields but have created real-world solutions with global impact. We are proud to celebrate their vision, perseverance, and ingenuity – the true hallmarks of innovation.”

The 2025 inductees are:

• Cleopatra “Cleo” Cabuz, a trailblazer in Micro Electro Mechanical Systems who revolutionized sensing capabilities across multiple industries.
• Michael Francis, whose groundbreaking contributions to regenerative orthopedic medicine and biomanufacturing technologies advanced clinical and translational science.
• Joseph Iannotti, whose landmark innovations in shoulder repair techniques and pre-operative planning software have reshaped surgical standards and clinical outcomes.
• Hari Kalva, a visionary leader in video compression and multimedia standards whose discoveries are foundational to today’s global streaming and video technologies.
• Nasser Kutkut, whose novel technologies in electric vehicle battery charging and energy management systems propelled the global shift toward sustainable mobility.
• Richard McCullough, who was the first to discover regioregular polythiophenes, a class of conjugated polymers that catalyzed innovation in flexible electronics and solar energy.
• Sumita Mitra, whose globally recognized innovations in nanotechnology dental composites radically improved restorative materials and clinical outcomes.
• Subhra Mohapatra, whose innovations in cellular engineering and targeted nanoscale drug delivery opened new horizons in precision medicine and cancer therapeutics.
• Edward Rosenthal, whose invention of staged nutrient release (SNR) fertilizers significantly improved agricultural sustainability on earth and in space.
• W. Greg Sawyer, whose next-generation 3D bioprinting systems and implantable medical devices have revolutionized the design and function of medical implants.

“So often, the transformative ideas that shape our daily lives begin quietly – in a lab, a notebook, or a moment of inspiration, said Thomas, a 2024 Florida Inventors Hall of Fame inductee who holds 13 U.S. patents.  “By the time they reach society, these innovations feel inevitable, yet the names and faces behind them are too often unknown. At the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, we are proud to shine a light on these remarkable individuals whose imagination, perseverance and brilliance drive progress. This recognition not only honors their legacy, but also inspires the next generation of visionary thinkers.”

The 2025 inductees hold more than 460 U.S. patents and represent a distinct blend of academic excellence, entrepreneurial ingenuity, and scientific leadership. Since its founding in 2013, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame has inducted 87 inventors, who collectively hold more than 5,700 U.S. patents.

“From the founding of our country to today, innovation has been the driving force behind America’s growth and resilience. The inventors honored this year embody the very spirit of American ingenuity,” said Elizabeth Dougherty, Northeast Regional Outreach Director for the United States Patent and Trademark Office and a longtime member of the Hall of Fame’s Advisory Board and Selection Committee. “They look at the world not as it is, but as it could be. Their work reminds us that the solutions to our greatest challenges are within reach when we remain curious, courageous, and committed. Recognizing these inventors ensures that we not only celebrate the outcomes of innovation, but also the extraordinary individuals who make it possible.”

The Florida Inventors Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of Florida’s most prolific and impactful inventors.

Nominations are open to all inventors (living or deceased) with a connection to the state of Florida. Inductees are selected through a rigorous review process conducted by a Selection Committee composed of distinguished leaders from academia, industry and government.

The 2025 class will be formally inducted at the Annual Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Gala on Friday, Oct. 31, at the Tampa Marriott Water Street.