The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has named the FSU College of Medicine’s Branko Stefanovic, Ph.D., as a 2025 NAI Senior Member.

He joins an elite group of 715 active faculty, scientists and administrators who have not only been successful in patents, licensing and commercialization at their academic institutions, but have produced technologies that have  impacted the welfare of society.

Senior Members collectively hold more than 5,700 U.S. patents and represent over 100 NAI Member Institutions worldwide.

Stefanovic, a professor in the college’s Department of Biomedical Sciences who joined the College of Medicine in 2002, studies the molecular mechanisms of liver fibrosis.  He holds four patents, with another pending, for research breakthroughs that have helped him to pioneer new antifibrotic drugs. 

Organ fibrosis is estimated to contribute to 45 percent of all deaths in the developed world. Efforts to develop treatments for the disease have yielded drugs that have serious side effects and are unsuitable for long-term therapy.

In the letter notifying Stefanovic of his selection, NAI President Paul R. Sanberg, Ph.D., wrote, “This recognition is a testament to your remarkable achievements as an academic inventor and a rising leader in your field.

“Your success in patents, licensing, and commercialization – along with your dedication to developing technologies that have made, or aspire to make, a real impact on society – truly exemplifies the spirit of innovation.”

College of Medicine Dean Alma Littles, M.D., agreed that Stefanovic’s work can change lives.

“For the millions of people worldwide who are suffering from liver fibrosis, Branko Stefanovic’s pioneering research discovering antifibrotic compounds and new methods of inhibiting collagen production, brings hope that a treatment may one day be possible. 

“As an educator, he dedicates time to be in the lab with his students on a continuous basis, involving them directly in his successes and failures on the bench,” she added. “He knows that being available to his students greatly accelerates their problem-solving as well as his own, and it advances the innovative process.

“We are indeed fortunate to have someone with Dr. Stefanovic’s knowledge, skills, enthusiasm and commitment to both bench and translational research at the FSU College of Medicine.”

Stefanovic, who also teaches and facilitates small groups in pharmacology, biochemistry and physiology, said he was “honored and very proud” that his many years of work was being recognized.

“There are so many excellent researchers and innovators,” he said. “Being selected among such an exclusive group of people came as a distinction I will always cherish.”

Stefanovic earned his bachelor’s degree in medical biochemistry at the University of Zagreb, Croatia, in 1978, his Ph.D. in medical biophysics at FSU’s Institute of Molecular Biophysics in 1991, and he was a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Developmental Biology at the University of Bern, Switzerland. His major study focused on molecular assembly and function of RNA-protein complexes. 

He worked as a research assistant professor in the Department of Medicine’s Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill for eight years. There he joined a group studying the clinical and mechanistic aspects of hepatic fibrosis.

“I am trained as a biochemist and molecular biologist, and I decided to apply my knowledge of biochemistry and biophysics of RNA-binding proteins and mRNA metabolism to study expression of the main culprit protein in fibrosis, Type 1 collagen,” Stefanovic said.

After joining the FSU College of Medicine in 2002, he continued his studies and discovered the unique and specific mechanism which regulates Type 1 collagen in fibrosis.

“The inhibitors of this mechanism can be truly specific antifibrotic compounds,” he said, “and I have discovered three compounds with such properties, with the aim to develop a successful antifibrotic therapy.”

Returning to FSU was an easy decision for him, because he wanted to continue his research as an independent principal investigator and contribute to the growth of the new college. “Besides, this was like going back home for me,” he said.

Stefanovic recalled the dedication of the leadership and faculty to overcome obstacles in those early years and develop the College of Medicine to the stature it has today.

“This was definitely a unique journey that is still ongoing.“

He credits the late Myra Hurt, the college’s acting dean when it was  created and the associate dean for research, with recruiting and advising him through many years. In addition to expressing his “sincere gratitude” to Hurt, he also thanked “the leadership of the College of Medicine and the Department of Biomedical Sciences for their support and understanding, and to all faculty who are my friends and inspiration.”

Stefanovic is one of four Florida State University faculty members chosen for the Class of 2025. The others are Hoyong Chung, an associate professor in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering; Yaacov Petscher, associate dean for research and a professor in the College of Social Work; and Prashant Singh, associate professor in the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. 

“Congratulations to these FSU faculty members recognized by the National Academy of Inventors,” said Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “Their research is making lasting, positive change outside of the lab. The faculty honored by NAI come from four different colleges across Florida State, which speaks to the wide-ranging excellence and influence of FSU faculty.”

Chung, Petscher, Singh and Stefanovic will join other new NAI Senior Members for an induction ceremony during the NAI annual meeting June 23-26 in Atlanta.

Visit the NAI website for a full list of Senior Members and more information about the Senior Members program.

Contact Bill Wellock at William.Wellock@fsu.edu

Contact Audrey Post at Audrey.Post@med.fsu.edu