The research of two Vanderbilt faculty members has been recognized in TIME magazine’s ‘Best Inventions of 2022’ list.
TIME magazine’s ‘Best Inventions of 2022’ features 200 groundbreaking inventions (including 50 special mentions) that “change how people live, work, play, and think about what is possible.” The magazine typically highlights only 100 inventions in its yearly list; however, due to “innovation booming” this year, the magazine featured 200 inventions for the first time.
TIME's Best Inventions of 2022: 200 extraordinary innovations changing our lives https://t.co/7pZsDzdjGH pic.twitter.com/Gdciaw7DL7
— TIME (@TIME) November 10, 2022
Dr. James Crowe Jr., director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and James Weimer, assistant professor of computer science and faculty affiliate of the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering, were among the individuals recognized by TIME magazine for their translational research, according to a press release by Vanderbilt University.
Two Vanderbilt faculty who conducted translational research have received the distinction of Best Invention of 2022 from @TIME magazine.
Learn more about the inventions, which are helping to combat COVID-19 and detect strokes early.https://t.co/w53oJ1seSM
— Vanderbilt University (@VanderbiltU) December 5, 2022
Dr. Crowe led the research team that discovered a monoclonal antibody combination called Evusheld that protects against COVID-19, according to Vanderbilt University. Evusheld is the first monoclonal antibody combination developed and optimized by AstraZeneca for protecting children and adults with compromised immune systems before exposure. Evusheld received emergency authorization from the FDA in December 2021 and won a gold medal in the 2022 R&D 100 awards and the 2022 Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine, according to the university’s press release.
Professor Weimer developed Neuralert, a lightweight, a noninvasive wristband that automatically detects and alerts strokes. With one of the hallmark indicators of stroke being asymmetrical arm movement, which is displayed as weakness, neglect, or less movement on one side, Neuralert’s stroke detection device can “identify the onset of asymmetric movement in as little as 15 minutes, even if the wearer is asleep,” according to Vanderbilt. In 2021 the FDA named Weimer’s Neuralert a ‘Breakthrough Device.’
“These winning innovations exemplify the transformative potential of university research when it aims to solve society’s most urgent problems, and when universities partner with the broader innovation ecosystem to bring new solutions to market faster,” Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said in a statement. “I congratulate Dr. Crowe and Professor Weimer and their teams on these life-saving, landmark accomplishments.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “James Weimer (Left)” by Vanderbilt University. Photo “James Crowe Jr. (Right)” by Vanderbilt University.
