The deadline is approaching for nominating faculty members for the 2002 B. Otto and Kathleen Wheeley Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer.

The award can be given out yearly but since its establishment in 1989, it has only been given out six times.

“It was just time to do it again,” said Barbara Jane Craddock, an assistant in the UT Office of Research.

“The award will go to a faculty member that has succeeded in the transfer of technology from a university research project to a commercial product or business,” Craddock said. “The best example of technology transfer is Gatorade, which was originally made at the University of Florida.”

Once the nominations are received, a committee will begin deliberations to choose the recipients. Criteria for the award includes the significance of the work, the market success of the product or process and the degree of the faculty member’s involvement in the process and the university.

“This is the only award the university has to recognize the achievement of faculty and their efforts in the technology transfer area,” Craddock said.

Nominations are due by Friday, Aug. 12 and should be sent to Arlene A. Garrison, the assistant vice president for research in the Office of Research. The faculty member’s curriculum and a three- to five-page description of the technology transfer achievements should be included with the nomination.

The winner of the award will be announced during the Fall semester. He or she will receive $7,500.

Otto Wheeley, a University of Tennessee graduate, began his career as deputy chair of Koppers Co. and president of Kopvenco. After returning to Tennessee, he founded Venture First Associations Inc. to promote entrepreneurs in the area. Wheeley formed a relationship with UT in order to help the commercialization of university-developed research.