innovator of the year

The CSU STRATA award for Innovative Excellence is presented to a faculty member whose work and intellectual property has attracted significant industry interest. The awardee’s technology is at the center of one or more commercial partnerships, or may even have been already developed into successful commercial products. With this award, CSU STRATA seeks to recognize research excellence that is leading to impact outside of the University through the commercial translation of discovery into innovative new products and solutions benefiting the lives of people around the world.

From voles to cancer: The evolution of Steven Dow,

2025 Innovator of the Year

Steven Dow, D.V.M., Ph.D. and professor of veterinary internal medicine and immunology in Colorado State University’s Department of Clinical Sciences, has been named the 2025 CSU STRATA Innovator of the Year. The award is presented to a CSU faculty member to recognize their excellence in research and innovation and work that has led to innovative products and commercial solutions benefiting the lives of animals and people around the world.

“Steve’s selection as CSU STRATA Innovator of the Year was based on the breadth of his technological innovation, covering numerous aspects of animal and human health. His IP was foundational to five startup companies, further demonstrating his entrepreneurial drive and impact,” said Richard Magid, vice president of technology transfer at STRATA.

In his 23 years at CSU, Dow has been a prolific inventor, with 73 filed inventions, 11 issued patents, and several startups focused on biotherapeutics and immunotherapeutics.

PAST WINNERS

2024

Thomas Sale

2021

PhotonPharma, Solaris Vaccines
Ray Goodrich

2020
Chris Orton

2019
Philip Westra, Michael Ostlie, Scott Haley, Victoria Anderson

2018

KromaTiD
Susan Bailey, Andrew Ray, Joel Bedford

2017

Growcentia
Rich Conant, Colin Bell, Matthew Wallenstein

2016

Envirofit, Qapture
John Mizia, Morgan DeFoort, Bryan Wilson

2015

Surgireal
Fousto Bellezzo, Dean Hendrickson

2014

Biopoly, YoungHeartValve
Susan James

2012
Chandrasekaran Venkatachalam

2010

Abound Solar
Walajabad Sampath

2008

Keen Ingredients
Laurie Scanlan

XY Inc.
George Seidel

2005

Optibrand
Bernard Rollin, Ralph Switzer, Bruce Golden

2004

Numerica Corporation
Aubrey Poore

2003

Brotica
Louis Bjostad

2002
Steven Strauss

2001
Douglas Ishli

2000
Yian Shi

1996
Al Meyers

1995

XUV Lasers
Jorge Rocca

1994
Ralph Baker

1993
Bill Cotton, Roger Pielke

1992
Patrick Brennan

1991
Terry Nett

1990
Ed Hoover

1989
Ken Goldsberry

1988
John Stille

1987
Jim Hudson, Alvin Hoerlein

1986
Bruce Dale

1985
Glenn Schmidt

1984
Gordon Niswender