University of Wisconsin–Madison professor Gabriele Neumann has been named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI), the organization announced today. The NAI Fellows Program was established to highlight academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and the welfare of society.
“We are honored to be the home of Gabriele’s research and are proud that she has earned the highest professional distinction accorded solely to academic inventors,” says Dorota Brzezinska, vice chancellor for research. “Her innovation and collaborations have contributed to lifesaving vaccines, the impact of which can be felt around the world. The breadth and scope of Gabriele’s research and resulting inventions is truly inspiring. This is the Wisconsin Idea in action.”
Neumann, a research professor and senior virologist at the Influenza Research Institute in the Department of Pathobiological Sciences at the UW–Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, has spent her career at the forefront of virology and vaccine innovation. With 26 U.S. patents and 70 international ones, her contributions span academia, industry, and global health. Her research has significantly advanced scientific knowledge and saved countless lives, demonstrating the impact of joint research in overcoming global health challenges.
Neumann’s groundbreaking work began during her postdoctoral research under the mentorship of Yoshihiro Kawaoka, director of the Influenza Research Institute and professor of virology in the Pathobiological Sciences Department at the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine. Together, they developed reverse genetics techniques that revolutionized influenza vaccine production. This effort allowed for the creation of flu viruses from engineered DNA, enabling the development of vaccines tailored to address specific virus strains. Her work has been instrumental in producing FluMist, a widely used nasal spray vaccine that provides safe and effective immunization against influenza. Beyond FluMist, her recombinant flu virus technologies have enabled the creation of M2 Deleted Single Replication (M2SR) vaccines. These vaccines offer protection against multiple influenza strains and are being explored as dual-purpose immunizations for COVID-19 and influenza.
She co-founded FluGen, a startup dedicated to advancing the potential of M2SR vaccines. FluGen’s innovations, fueled by her patented technologies, have drawn global partnerships, including with Bharat Biotech in India, to enhance vaccine accessibility worldwide. Her inventions have also been pivotal in developing bird flu vaccines endorsed by the World Health Organization.
Her work in virology isn’t limited to influenza. In collaboration with Kawaoka, Neumann contributed to developing a replication-deficient Ebola virus, which has progressed to clinical trials and offers a safe avenue for vaccine development against this deadly disease. These achievements underscore her commitment to mitigating global health crises through research and innovation.
Since her first patent disclosure to the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) in 1999, she has worked extensively to translate academic discoveries into practical solutions. Her patented reverse genetics technologies have streamlined vaccine production, enabling quicker responses to evolving influenza strains and other respiratory diseases.
“The recombinant virus technology that Gabriele Neumann developed with her colleague Yoshihiro Kawaoka has become one of the most impactful inventions in WARF’s 100-year history,” said WARF CEO Erik Iverson. “We are delighted to celebrate this well-deserved honor for her contributions to improving human health.”
The complete list of NAI fellows is available via the NAI website.
Story by Susan Lee; developed with assistance from WARF.