The University of Georgia has named the inaugural members of the Faculty Innovation Fellows program, a group of faculty leaders chosen to help expand a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across campus. The program, part of the Innovation District initiative, equips Fellows with training in business development, strategic planning and campus resources so they can serve as ambassadors and advisors within their colleges.

Over the course of the fellowship, participants will complete discovery projects, connect colleagues with innovation opportunities, and host events that bring researchers closer to industry, entrepreneurial partners and each other. By acting as liaisons between their colleges and the Innovation District, the Fellows are helping more faculty take their first steps toward turning ideas into impact.

“I couldn’t be happier with this group of inaugural Fellows,” said Chris Rhodes, executive director of UGA’s Innovation District. “They wholly embody the spirit of collaboration and creativity that the Innovation District tries to promote. They already make the Innovation District better, and they will help more of their peers in the colleges take the first step towards commercial impact.”

2025 Faculty Innovation Fellows

This year’s Fellows represent five colleges across the university. Readers can learn more about each Fellow by following the links to their full profiles below.

College of Engineering

• Mahos Bourlai

College of Family and Consumer Sciences

• Dee Warmath

College of Public Health

• Jenay Beer

School of Social Work

• Zoe Johnson

Franklin College of Arts and Sciences

• Chad Howe
• Brian Bauer
• Adam Milewski