Three researchers from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences were among the inventors honored by N.C. A&T’s Division of Research (DoR) during Patent Reveal Day, an event held Jan. 23 to celebrate the legacy and growth of the university’s research endeavors.
Shengmin Sang, Distinguished Professor of Functional Foods in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; Guochen Yang, horticulture professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design; and Yingdong Zhu, a professor and research scientist at the Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies, were recognized for the nine patents they earned between fiscal years 2017 and 2025.
“The journey to receiving a patent is a complex and time-consuming process, yet, it is crucial in protecting intellectual property and gaining a competitive edge that will go to market and generate revenue,” said Melissa Hodge-Penn, Ed.D., associate vice chancellor for research. “N.C. A&T has steadily built a strong and resilient technology transfer ecosystem that reflects its growing research enterprise and land-grant mission.”
Sang’s five patents focus on the development of novel aspirin derivatives and ginger-derived metabolites with potential applications in disease prevention and therapy.
Two of the patents describe novel conjugates of aspirin and bioactive food compounds, developed as safer and more effective alternatives to traditional aspirin for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and colon cancer.
Aspirin is a classic “wonder drug” that has been widely used for more than a century to treat inflammation, fever, pain, and cardiovascular diseases, and recently, has attracted attention for its role in cancer prevention. Currently, at least 29 million Americans—approximately one in three older adults—take low-dose aspirin daily to help prevent heart attacks or strokes. Despite its benefits, aspirin’s major limitation is its risk of gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding. To address this challenge, Sang has developed aspirin conjugates that are more easily tolerated.
The remaining three patents focus on the identification and characterization of ginger metabolites and their potential uses in reducing inflammation and other disease-related biological pathways.
Zhu, who works with Sang, is a co-inventor on three of these patents.
Yang, who was named a 2025 “horticultural legend” by the American Society for Horticultural Science, was honored for a procedure expediting the micropropagation of Alexandrian laurel (Danae Racemosa L.), a highly in-demand evergreen landscaping shrub. Alexandrian laurel has significant economic and social values, but also has a low, slow germination rate that results in slow growth to saleable size.
Yang’s protocol increased the germination rate to 100%, reduced germination time to two months at most, and shortened overall growth time to one-gallon size, saleable plants by about two years.
“It was an excellent feeling that the University celebrates our diligent intellectual property efforts,” Yang said. “I personally feel very honored.”
Overall, the event recognized 49 inventors who secured 39 granted U.S. patents in the eight-year time frame. Altogether, the college holds 11 patents.
“I am proud to recognize and congratulate Drs. Sang, Yang and Zhu,” said Radiah C. Minor, interim dean of the college. “Their efforts showcase our college's outstanding scholarship and impact. Their achievements push us forward and inspire continuing innovation. I am enthusiastic about seeing more patentable technology from our college, bringing solutions to societal issues.”
Members of the campus community and the public are invited to visit the university’s patent gallery on the fourth floor of the Edward B. Fort Interdisciplinary Research Center on campus.
