Notre Dame Innovation Recognized at 1st Source Commercialization Awards Dinner

Innovation and real-world impact were celebrated in South Bend on Tuesday, March 24, at the 1st Source Faculty Commercialization Award Dinner, where University of Notre Dame researchers were recognized for successfully translating breakthrough discoveries into applications that benefit society.

The evening’s top honor was awarded to Brian Blagg, the Charles Huisking Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and director of the Warren Family Research Center for Drug Discovery and Development. His research has led to the development of Grannus Therapeutics, a venture focused on the development of a first-in-class cancer treatment for ovarian cancer. His approach and the formation of Grannus Therapeutics, has advanced promising therapies toward clinical use. His work exemplifies the impactful transition of biomedical research from the laboratory to patient care, highlighting the strength of innovation within Notre Dame’s broader life sciences ecosystem.

Second place was awarded to Seunghyun Moon, assistant research professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and affiliated faculty member of Notre Dame Nanoscience & Technology (NDnano). His research in advanced materials has been foundational to Tessellated, Inc., a Notre Dame spinout focused on producing lightweight, high-performance polymer films. These materials are already demonstrating real-world potential across industries, with applications in body armor, sports equipment, thermal management, and next-generation aerospace and automotive components.

Third place was awarded to Wireless Institute collaborator Thomas Pratt, the Frank M. Freimann Collegiate Research Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering. His work in radio-frequency systems and polarization-based sensing has enabled the development of a contactless sensor platform through PrimSphera, capable of monitoring heart and respiration rates and supporting at-home management of chronic conditions. His research is also being applied in collaboration with End Point Security to develop prototype systems that enhance wireless communication security through advanced signal authentication techniques.

Together, these efforts reflect a shared commitment to moving ideas beyond the lab. Transforming foundational research into technologies, companies, and solutions that address real-world challenges. Through strong collaboration across departments, institutes, and industry partners, Notre Dame continues to advance innovations that improve lives and strengthen communities.

Learn more about the winners and read the full article at research.nd.edu

Story originally published at research.nd.edu by Erin Fenessy on April 1, 2026. Read the full article available on Notre Dame Research.