UL Lafayette’s Wilson selected as Louisiana’s only National Invention Ambassador

A University of Louisiana at Lafayette researcher and health innovation leader has been selected for the inaugural National Invention Ambassadors Network.

Dr. Gabriela Mustata Wilson, director of UL Lafayette’s Louisiana Center for Health Innovation, is the only researcher from the state among the 22 inaugural ambassadors. The cohort brings together accomplished inventors, entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists, engineers and innovation leaders from across the United States.

“I am honored to represent the University and the Louisiana Center for Health Innovation as part of this national initiative,” Wilson said. “The mission of the Network aligns closely with our commitment to innovation, workforce development, entrepreneurship and research translation. It is an opportunity to build new collaborations and help prepare the next generation of innovators to create meaningful impact in Louisiana and beyond.”

The National Academy of Inventors launched the network in partnership with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to strengthen the nation’s innovation ecosystem and help develop the next generation of inventors and entrepreneurs.

As an ambassador, Wilson will mentor emerging innovators, advance intellectual property and innovation education, support technology commercialization and foster collaboration among universities, industry, government and other organizations. Ambassadors also will participate in keynote presentations, workshops and educational programming. 

She is the Dr. J. Robert Rivet Endowed Chair and Acadian Ambulance Service/BORSF Eminent Scholar in Health Informatics and a professor in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences at UL Lafayette. 

The inaugural cohort includes leaders from institutions such as Northwestern University, Vanderbilt University, UC San Diego, the Association of American Universities and Dolby Laboratories. Their work spans health care and life sciences, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, energy, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

The network is part of a five-year joint project between the National Academy of Inventors and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The academy includes more than 4,600 individual inventor members and Fellows representing more than 300 institutions worldwide.

Learn more about the National Invention Ambassadors Network.