Turning K-State research into real-world solutions
KSURF recognizes inventors and breeders for innovation across disciplines
This week’s 2026 Inventors and Breeders Ceremony celebrated 36 inventors and breeders who are leading K-State innovations in new varieties of wheat, graphene and carbon nanomaterials, agricultural engineering, entomology, animal health and many other disciplines.
By Jennifer Tidball
K-State News and Communication Services
Friday, April 24, 2026
K-State innovations — and the inventors behind them — are solving global challenges and driving economic growth across Kansas and beyond.
As part of One K-State Research Week 2026, the university is recognizing inventors who received patents and plant variety protection certificates in 2024 and 2025. This week’s 2026 Inventors and Breeders Ceremony celebrated 36 inventors and breeders who are leading K-State innovations in new varieties of wheat, graphene and carbon nanomaterials, agricultural engineering, entomology, animal health and many other disciplines.
To help them move discoveries forward is the Kansas State University Research Foundation, or KSURF.
KSURF works with faculty, researchers, students and industry partners to protect, license and launch innovations developed at K‑State. From agriculture and biosciences to engineering, computing and advanced manufacturing, KSURF helps ensure that discoveries move beyond the lab.
As the university's technology commercialization unit, KSURF evaluates new inventions, secures patents and connects innovations with companies and entrepreneurs who can scale them for commercial use.
"KSURF helps to bring K-State innovation to market," said Chris Brandt, K-State associate vice president with the Kansas State University Research Foundation. "We work alongside inventors to transform their research into real-world impact across Kansas, the region and the world. Together, we’re advancing the mission of a next-generation land-grant university."
A full list of patent and plant variety protection certificates awarded since 2009 is available on the awards page of the research website. K-State technologies that are currently available for licensing can be found on the KSURF website.