Renowned MUSC researcher named fellow of National Academy of Inventors

Carol Feghali-Bostwick, Ph.D., an internationally recognized translational researcher and leader in the field of fibrosis and systemic sclerosis and the SmartState and Kitty Trask Holt Endowed Chair for Scleroderma Research at MUSC, has been named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Feghali-Bostwick is one of 169 distinguished inventors to be named an NAI fellow in 2023. 

The NAI Fellows Program celebrates academic inventors whose work spans multiple disciplines and exemplifies their collaboration, dedication and innovation to transform research into real-world commercial technologies that contribute to the betterment of society. Election as an NAI fellow is the highest professional distinction awarded to academic inventors.

“I’m deeply honored to be named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors,” said Feghali-Bostwick, who was also awarded this quarter’s I am an MUSC Innovator Award. “It is a privilege to be a part of the NAI community, and I am very grateful for the support and contributions of outstanding trainees and wonderful colleagues to whom I am indebted.”

Feghali-Bostwick is also passionate about ensuring that the next generation of translational researchers are well-trained and reflect the diversity of the community. She directs both the South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research (SCTR) Institute Translational Workforce Development program, which offers cutting-edge training to clinical and translational research professionals, and SCTR’s TL1 program, a mentored research training program for predoctoral students with strong interests in pursuing careers in clinical and/or translational research. She also directs a post-doctoral training grant for lung-related research.

“Dr. Feghali-Bostwick exemplifies what it means to be a biomedical researcher. She has not only pushed the boundaries of scientific knowledge but has also demonstrated a commitment to advancing health care and improving the quality of life for individuals around the globe,” said Lori L. McMahon, Ph.D., vice president for Research at MUSC. “Her inventive approaches to science, such as her ex vivo model for scleroderma research, inspire fellow researchers and aspiring scientists to reach new heights in the pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries.”

 

A reflection of her research success Feghali-Bostwick has 20 patents with more pending, and directs STEM-Coaching and Resources for Entrepreneurial Women (CREW). CREW offers mentorship, coaching and training opportunities to increase the number of women, especially underserved minority women, who not only become entrepreneurs but remain engaged in entrepreneurial activities throughout their careers.

The 2023 fellow class represents 118 research universities and governmental and nonprofit research institutions worldwide. This class includes 89 individuals from Association of American Universities institutions and 128 individuals from R1 universities, which boast very high research activity. Collectively, the 2023 fellows hold over 4,600 issued U.S. patents. This year’s class includes 2 Nobel Laureates, 3 National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees and 22 members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Since its inception in 2012, the NAI Fellows Program has accounted for more than 63,000 issued U.S. patents and 13,000 licensed technologies. Their innovations have generated more than $3 trillion in revenue and a million-plus jobs.

The 2023 class of fellows will be honored and presented their medals by a senior official of the United States Patent and Trademark Office at the NAI 13th Annual Meeting on June 18, in Raleigh, North Carolina.