Two Faculty Innovators Selected for Pitch Event

Dr. Sharon Rogers Moore, associate professor for the College of Business, and Dr. Jitka Virag, associate professor at the ECU Brody School of Medicine, have been selected to participate in Equalize 2023, a pitch competition that highlights women in academics. Equalize selected 22 faculty members from universities across the country to pitch innovations, technologies or startups covering four areas: therapeutics, medical technologies, physical sciences, and digital tools.

Moore will be presenting in the digital tools category, and Virag will be presenting in the therapeutics category.

Virag is a National Academy of Inventors Member and was awarded US Patent US8580739 in 2013 and US9974831 in 2018.

Moore is a National Academy of Inventors Senior Member and was awarded US Patent 8957328 in 2015, collaborating with ECU’s Office of Licensing and Commercialization to file her patent. She participated in the inaugural Engagement and Scholarship Academy (EOSA) program which provides professional development and project support for research that connects ECU with surrounding communities. Moore was also recently named Innovator-in-Residence within the College of Business’ Miller School of Entrepreneurship.

“It is humbling to be surrounded by such brilliant innovators, and inspiring that all of them are women. There is no doubt that ECU is competing better than ever among universities growing academic innovators and entrepreneurs,” said Moore.

The virtual pitch event will be held on June 29, 2023.