KCV Honors Innovative Leaders During Second Annual Innovation Celebration
- Kentucky Commercialization Ventures
- 21 hours ago
- 4 min read
On June 17, 2026, the Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV) community gathered at the historic Berry Hill Mansion in Frankfort for the second annual Innovation Celebration. The event brought together innovators, researchers, partners and supporters from across the commonwealth to recognize outstanding leadership in innovation while reflecting on the continued growth of Kentucky's research and commercialization ecosystem.
Established in 2020 as an initiative of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC), KCV was launched with foundational support from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. Since then, KCV has grown into a nationally recognized statewide network supporting technology transfer, entrepreneurship and research commercialization across Kentucky's colleges and universities.
The evening was made possible in part through the support of Bricker Graydon Wyatt, a sponsor of the event and longstanding advocate for innovation and entrepreneurship across the commonwealth.
Recognizing Visionary Leadership
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of KCV's signature awards.
Established during the inaugural Innovation Celebration in 2025, the Thomas M. Martin Visionary Award recognizes individuals whose leadership, collaboration and commitment to strengthening Kentucky's innovation ecosystem creates lasting opportunities for future generations of researchers, students and innovators.
Named in honor of Dr. Tom Martin, whose vision helped lay the foundation for KCV's collaborative model, the award celebrates leaders who build systems, remove barriers and create pathways that allow innovation to thrive.
This year's recipient, Dr. Shannon Harr, Director of Research and Sponsored Programs at Morehead State University, embodies that spirit.
Throughout his career, Harr has worked to expand research capacity and create new opportunities for faculty, staff and students. As a leader within Morehead State University and an early champion of KCV's NSF-funded KCV EDGE initiative, he has helped strengthen research infrastructure while advancing collaboration across Kentucky's higher education institutions.
Accepting the award, Harr reflected on how dramatically Kentucky's research and commercialization landscape has evolved over the past two decades.
"Sixteen years ago, when someone walked into our office with intellectual property, we weren't always sure where to turn. Today, KCV has created opportunities and resources for faculty, staff and students that simply didn't exist before. The partnerships we've built through this network have been truly remarkable." - Dr. Shannon Harr, Director of Research and Sponsored Programs at Morehead State University
Celebrating Innovation with Impact
The Innovator of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Jason Marion, professor of Environmental Health Science at Eastern Kentucky University and founder and CEO of Eastern Scientific.
Over more than two decades, Marion has combined research, entrepreneurship and community engagement to address water quality challenges, demonstrating how university research can be translated into practical solutions that improve lives.
Marion was recognized for developing ColiGrow, an affordable and accessible tool designed to help individuals detect E. coli contamination in drinking water without the need for laboratory testing or costly equipment. Through this innovation, he is helping improve access to safe drinking water while supporting public health efforts in Kentucky and beyond. Notably, 10% of ColiGrow proceeds support drinking water quality initiatives in Eastern Kentucky and Western Kenya.
Accepting the award, Marion emphasized the importance of mentorship, collaboration and programs that help innovators bring ideas beyond the university setting.
"Entrepreneurship is about taking something from the university and putting it into the hands of more people. Commercialization is one of the most effective ways to do that. It creates a pathway for research to move beyond the lab and into the communities it was designed to serve." - Dr. Jason Marion, Professor of Environmental Health Science at Eastern Kentucky University
Reflecting on the impact of this year's honorees, KCV Executive Director Kayla Meisner said their accomplishments demonstrate the power of research, entrepreneurship and collaboration to create meaningful change across Kentucky.
"Every breakthrough starts with people willing to ask big questions and pursue new possibilities. The innovators we recognized this year embody Kentucky's research and entrepreneurial spirit. Their work is creating opportunities, solving real-world challenges and inspiring the next generation of innovators across the commonwealth." - Kayla Meisner, Executive Director of KCV
Fireside Reflections: A Conversation on Kentucky's Innovation Future
The evening also featured a Fireside Chat with Jennifer Ozawa, senior leader at RTI International and an external advisor during the development of Kentucky's statewide science and technology plan.
Drawing from her experience working with innovation ecosystems across the country, Ozawa discussed the critical role universities play in economic development, the importance of entrepreneurship and the opportunities Kentucky has to strengthen its competitive position in the years ahead.
The conversation explored how research institutions attract talent, generate new ventures and contribute to regional prosperity, while highlighting the importance of strong partnerships among universities, industry, entrepreneurs and government.
Ozawa also reflected on the role public investment and long-term collaboration play in building successful innovation-driven economies, reinforcing many of the principles that have guided KCV's growth since its founding.
Building Momentum for Kentucky Innovation
Since launching in 2020, KCV has expanded access to technology transfer and commercialization services while helping researchers and innovators across Kentucky bring new ideas to market. Through initiatives such as KCV EDGE and INVENT, KCV and its partners have secured nearly $10 million in National Science Foundation funding to strengthen research capacity, expand innovation infrastructure and support commercialization efforts throughout the commonwealth.
Reflecting on KCV's continued growth, David Brock, executive director of Kentucky Innovation within the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, described collaboration as Kentucky's "superpower" and credited KCV's statewide partnership model for helping transform an ambitious vision into a nationally recognized innovation network.
'"What began as an ambitious vision has grown into a statewide platform for innovation, entrepreneurship and research translation. Just as importantly, we've demonstrated what can happen when organizations work together around a common goal." - Terry Samuel, President of KSTC
As KCV enters its seventh year, the organization remains committed to strengthening partnerships, supporting innovators and expanding opportunities for research commercialization across Kentucky. The accomplishments of innovators like Dr. Shannon Harr and Dr. Jason Marion demonstrate what is possible when research, entrepreneurship and collaboration come together in service of the commonwealth.
Learn more at kycommercializationventures.com.