Technology Innovation Awards
The Dartmouth Office of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer (OETT) Technology Innovation Awards recognize and honor outstanding inventive and entrepreneurial faculty and researchers at Dartmouth who have made societal and/or economic impact, and who exemplify driving Innovation to Impact.
These awards enable the OETT to recognize deserving innovators and inventors in the Dartmouth community. Up to three awardees are recognized during the academic year cycle.
SAVE THE DATE for the 2026 Technology Innovation Awards: Thursday, May 14 • 5-6:30 PM — South Atrium of the Engineering and Computer Science Center
Dartmouth Technology Innovation Awards
Join the Office of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer as we honor two Dartmouth faculty members whose inventive, entrepreneurial achievements have made a lasting impact and exemplify Innovation to Impact. Ceremony is Thursday, May 14 at 5:00–6:30PM in the South Atrium of the Engineering and Computer Science Center.
RSVP to the event
Dartmouth Technology Innovation & Commercialization Award
This award highlights individuals who, through their inventive and entrepreneurial talents, have made strong contributions to Dartmouth and society.
Dr. Brian Pogue
Robert A. Pritzker Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Brian Pogue has made transformative contributions to the fields of biomedical optics and imaging. As a Professor of Biomedical Engineering, his pioneering work in optical imaging technologies has advanced cancer detection and treatment, particularly through innovations in fluorescence-guided surgery, image-guided therapy, and light-based treatments. His research has led to systems that allow surgeons to visualize tumors in real time, improving surgical accuracy and patient outcomes.
Dr. Pogue’s work is deeply translational, moving discoveries from the laboratory into clinical practice through collaborations with physicians, industry partners, and research institutions. A prolific inventor and scholar, he has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and contributed to numerous patents, while playing a key role in founding and leading ventures such as DoseOptics to commercialization and FDA clearance, and advancing the new Hypoxia Surgical, LLC venture. His leadership has secured substantial federal funding and supported multidisciplinary teams across engineering, physics, and medicine.
In addition to his research achievements, Dr. Pogue is a dedicated educator and mentor, shaping the next generation of biomedical engineers and innovators at Dartmouth. He is both a fellow of SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, and on the Board of Directors. Through his commitment to advancing optical technologies and improving cancer care worldwide, he exemplifies the profound impact of innovation in transforming both science and human health.
Dartmouth Rising Star Innovator Award
This award highlights individuals who, through their inventive and entrepreneurial talents, have made strong contributions to Dartmouth and society.
Dr. Nicholas Jacobson
Associate Professor of Biomedical Data Science and Psychiatry
Dr. Nicholas Jacobson is an emerging leader whose work sits at the intersection of mental health, technology, and data science. As an Associate Professor of Biomedical Data Science and Psychiatry at Dartmouth, his research is redefining how mental health conditions are measured, monitored, and treated through smartphones, wearable devices, and computational models. His work uses real-time data, machine learning, and generative AI to better understand mood disorders and deliver more personalized, timely interventions.
Dr. Jacobson is a pioneer in digital phenotyping, developing tools that passively and continuously assess behavioral and psychological patterns outside of traditional clinical settings. His interdisciplinary approach bridges clinical psychiatry with cutting-edge data science, creating scalable solutions that can transform mental healthcare delivery. Recognized for his field-leading work in generative AI for mental health monitoring, he has also demonstrated entrepreneurial initiative by founding Therabot Labs, LLC, recruiting management, and identifying sources of funding and sublicensing. His research has been supported by significant federal funding leading to high-impact publications and positioning him at the forefront of a rapidly evolving field.
A dedicated mentor and collaborator, Dr. Jacobson works closely with students and trainees to advance translational research and entrepreneurial thinking in digital health. Through his growing body of work and commitment to innovation, he exemplifies the promise of next-generation technologies to expand access to care and improve mental health outcomes on a global scale.
Past Recipients
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Eric Fossum, Vice Provost
“Through their inventive and entrepreneurial talents, these individuals have made strong contributions to Dartmouth and society.”