Yamamoto named to Florida Inventors Hall of Fame

Dr. Janet Yamamoto

University of Florida’s Dr. Janet Yamamoto, a professor of immunology at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, was recently named as one of seven 2015 inductees of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame. Yamamoto’s discovery of the feline immunodeficiency virus and vaccine are being applied to research into HIV.

She’s in good company: Automotive pioneer Henry Ford; Nobel Laureate Robert Grubbs; and founder of the National Academy of Inventors Paul Sanberg are also on the list, as is UF professor Nan-Yao Su, who invented a revolutionary termite abatement system. For the full list of recipients and their accomplishments, click here.

All will be inducted at the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame’s second annual induction ceremony and gala on Oct. 2, 2015, in Tampa.

“We are delighted to be announcing this class of exceptional inventors whose work has had an impact on the lives of Floridians and the world,” said Randy Berridge, who serves on the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame Advisory Board and as chair of the Selection Committee.

Nominees, who must have at least one U.S. patent, were nominated through an open nomination process and elected by a selection committee comprising distinguished leaders in research and innovation throughout Florida.

“Collectively, the seven 2015 inductees hold more than 430 U.S. patents,” said Berridge, who is also president of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council.  “Their high merit has been recognized by national and international institutions and communities with named parks, museums, scholarships, funds, a U.S. postage stamp, and many other honors and awards, and we are honored to be inducting them into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame.”