Santokh Badesha

Santokh Singh Badesha, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue University, received Inaugural Charter Fellow Recognition from the National Academy of Inventors.

Badesha was recognized on the national stage during the National Academy of Inventors' Annual Conference in Los Angeles as a member of one of the Academy's first five classes of NAI Fellows. This special recognition celebrated the pioneering innovators whose early support helped establish the Academy and advance its mission of fostering innovation and recognizing inventor achievement.  However, Dr. Badesha's involvement with the Academy didn’t end there. Since his induction, he has developed an exemplary course with an aim to teach students the importance of intellectual property in innovation. The course integrates NAI’s IP curriculum, developed in partnership with the Michelson IP Institute, introducing students to NAI resources and setting them up for entrepreneurial success. Through his work, he showcases his dedication to the Academy's mission and how NAI Fellows are actively shaping the future generation of inventors.

Badesha was recognized for his accomplishments, leadership and contributions to innovation, as well as his continued commitment to inspiring future inventors.

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the National Academy of Inventors,” Badesha said. “Innovation does not end with having a good idea. Students also need to understand how to protect that idea and develop it into something that can benefit society. Helping them build that knowledge is one of the most rewarding parts of my work at Purdue.”

Badesha’s involvement with the Academy has extended well beyond his induction as an NAI Fellow. At Purdue, he developed a course that teaches students about the role of intellectual property generation and management in innovation and entrepreneurship. Intellectual property includes inventions, designs, trademarks, copyrights and other original creations that can be legally protected through patents and other tools.

The course incorporates the NAI’s intellectual property curriculum, developed in partnership with the Michelson IP Institute. It also introduces students to NAI resources and helps prepare them to protect their ideas, navigate the patent process and bring innovations into the marketplace. Drawing on the course, Badesha’s forthcoming book with World Scientific, Innovation Engineering of Technical Systems: Theory, Methods and Practice, will feature a foreword by Paul R. Sanberg, President and Founder of the NAI.

“Through his work, Dr. Badesha showcases his dedication to the Academy’s mission and demonstrates how NAI Fellows are actively shaping the next generation of inventors,” said Paul J. Corson, senior director of the National Academy of Inventors.

Drawing on his extensive experience as an inventor and industry leader, Badesha provides students with practical guidance for turning promising ideas into innovations with real-world impact.