By Althea Johnson, University Communications and Marketing
The today announced that three distinguished èAV faculty innovators are among the 2026 class of inductees. Dr. Mark Frankle, Dr. Patrick Hwu and Donald Keck are receiving the prestigious honor for their groundbreaking research and contributions to science and society. Their work has transformed modern life, advanced critical industries, improved patient care, strengthened national resilience and exemplified the power of innovation to address society’s most pressing challenges.
“The èAV is proud to serve as the home of the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame,” said USF President Moez Limayem. “The 2026 inductees represent the very best in Florida-connected innovation. Their achievements remind us that research, entrepreneurship and invention have the power to improve lives, strengthen industries and shape the future.”
Dr. Mark Frankle
Frankle, the chief of shoulder and elbow surgery at the Florida Orthopaedic Institute and a clinical professor in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, is an internationally recognized orthopedic surgeon, inventor and medical device innovator. He is best known for revolutionizing the field of shoulder arthroplasty through the development of a transformative reverse shoulder prosthesis. Holding 18 U.S. patents, Frankle’s technologies have been widely commercialized and adopted by major orthopedic implant manufacturers worldwide. He is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Charles S. Neer Award, has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and served as president of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons.
“It is incredibly meaningful to see reverse shoulder arthroplasty recognized by the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame as an invention that has changed lives,” Frankle said. “The goal was always to restore function and relieve pain for patients who had limited options. I am proud that this work developed here in Florida, alongside my clinical and academic partners at Florida Orthopaedic Institute, the Foundation for Orthopaedic Research and Education, and the èAV’s Morsani College of Medicine, and that it continues to influence shoulder replacement surgery around the world.”
Dr. Patrick Hwu
Hwu is the president and chief executive officer of Moffitt Cancer Center and a professor of oncologic sciences in the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. He is an internationally recognized physician-scientist and pioneering innovator in cancer immunotherapy. Hwu is best known for foundational work in developing chimeric receptor genes that led to modern CAR T-cell therapies. His invention enables immune cells to be genetically engineered to recognize and attack cancer cells with high specificity, transforming treatment for patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other cancers. Hwu holds more than 10 U.S. patents and he has authored more than 300 scientific publications. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
“I am honored to join the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame and proud to represent Moffitt Cancer Center and the èAV. This recognition reflects the power of collaborative research and the importance of translating bold science into real patient impact,” Hwu said.
Donald Keck
Keck, a professor in USF’s Institute for Advanced Discovery & Innovation, is a pioneering physicist whose work revolutionized global communications and laid the foundation for the modern internet.
As a member of Corning’s Optical Waveguide Project team, Keck co-invented low-loss optical fiber in 1970, transforming fiber optics from a scientific concept into a practical, scalable technology for long-distance communication. His innovations enabled optical fiber to replace copper wire as the primary medium for telecommunications, making high-speed, long-distance communication possible. Keck holds nearly 40 U.S. patents and has authored more than 150 scientific publications. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, an inductee of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and a recipient of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
“When our team at Corning helped make low-loss optical fiber practical, we could not have fully imagined how deeply it would shape the way people communicate, learn, work and connect around the world,” Keck said. “I am honored by this recognition from the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame and proud to be part of the University of South Florida’s Institute for Advanced Discovery & Innovation, where we are working with USF faculty and students to inspire and prepare future inventors to solve problems that help us all.”
The 10 members of the 2026 class of inductees collectively hold more than 300 U.S. patents and represent a powerful blend of academic excellence, entrepreneurial leadership, industry innovation and public impact.
Since its beginning in 2013, the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame, located on the USF Tampa campus, has inducted 97 inventors who collectively hold more than 6,000 U.S. patents.
The 2026 class of inventors will be formally inducted Nov. 6 at the Annual Induction Ceremony and Fundraising Gala in Tampa.