Guillermo Risatti, a distinguished faculty member in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR), has been elected to the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2024 Class of Fellows. He joins 170 inventors nationwide to receive this honor and becomes the twelfth UConn inventor to join this selective organization.
Risatti is a professor in the department of pathobiology and veterinary science, in addition to directing the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL), one of the most active service centers at UConn Storrs. The CVMDL helps support human and animal health throughout New England by testing for veterinary diseases like Lyme, rabies, and avian influenza.
Risatti was nominated to the NAI in recognition of his pioneering work in veterinary vaccine research. Most recently, he was a lead inventor on a new vaccine for African Swine Fever, which was licensed by Zoetis, the animal medicine offshoot of Pfizer.
NAI Fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors. Fellows are recognized based on their contributions to their respective fields through patented inventions. Risatti currently holds 19 patents, all in the realm of veterinary vaccines.
“It is an honor to be named an Elected Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors,” says Risatti. “Throughout my career, I have had the unique opportunity to collaborate with many stakeholders – from industry to state and federal agencies and the public. It’s this diversity of expertise that has allowed for vaccines for classical swine fever and African swine fever to be developed. I’m honored that these technologies have helped tackle a worldwide challenge.”
Risatti has been collaborating for more than 20 years with classical swine fever and African swine fever programs led by the USDA Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC), the nation’s premier defense against accidental or intentional introduction of transboundary animal diseases. In addition to vaccine candidates, this work has resulted in the development of rapid diagnostic tests for the early detection of classical swine fever virus and African swine fever virus. These tests, or modified versions of them, have been used worldwide.
Risatti was nominated by NAI Lifetime Fellow Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, a UConn University Professor and CEO of the Cato T. Laurencin Center for Regenerative Engineering.
“I have known and followed the career of Dr. Risatti for many years at UConn, and I am very impressed with his scientific advancements in animal medicine, specifically in animal vaccines,” says Dr. Laurencin. “His election as a Fellow is well-deserved.”
The 2024 Fellows hail from 135 research universities, governmental and non-profit research institutions worldwide and their work spans across various disciplines. They hold distinctions such as the Nobel Prize, U.S. National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and National Medal of Science, and membership to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Collectively, they hold over 5,000 issued U.S. patents.
“This year’s Class of NAI Fellows represents a truly impressive caliber of inventors. Each of these individuals are tackling real-world issues and creating solutions that propel us into the future. Through their work, they are making significant contributions to science, creating lasting societal impact, and growing the economy,” said Dr. Paul Sanberg, FNAI, President of the NAI.
Since its founding in 2012, the NAI Fellows program has grown to include 2,068 exceptional researchers and innovators, who hold over 68,000 U.S. patents and 20,000 licensed technologies. NAI Fellows are known for the societal and economic impact of their inventions, contributing to major advancements in science and consumer technologies. Their innovations have generated over $3.2 trillion in revenue and generated 1.2 million jobs.
Risatti is joining eleven UConn faculty previously elected as NAI Fellows:
- Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, University Professor and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery (Lifetime Fellow)
- Se-Jin Lee, Presidential Distinguished Professor, Genetics and Genome Sciences (Lifetime Fellow)
- Dr. Pramod Srivastava, Professor and Interim Chairman, Department of Immunology; Director, Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center; Director, Center for Immunotherapy of Cancer and Infectious Diseases
- Dr. Lakshmi Nair, Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery (Lifetime Fellow)
- Steven Suib, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor, Department of Chemistry; Director, Institute of Materials Science
- Bahram Javidi, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Radenka Maric, University President; Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor, Department of Materials Science & Engineering
- Ki Chon, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor and Krenicki Chair Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
- Thomas Katsouleas, former University President; Professor, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Luyi Sun, Professor, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
- Diane Burgess, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
The 2024 Class of Fellows will be honored and presented their medals by a senior official of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) at the NAI 14th Annual Meeting on June 26th, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.
