By Crystal Carter, Texas A&M Innovation, May 14, 2024
In health technologies and translational research, Dr. Gerard Coté’s work in developing solutions for monitoring and improving health outcomes has earned him widespread acclaim and positioned him as a leader in advancing health and wellness on a global scale. Dr. Coté was recently honored as the recipient of the 2024 Chancellor’s Innovation Award, underscoring his exceptional contributions to the field and his dedication to making a meaningful impact on society.
Dr. Coté is a professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University and an expert in biomedical diagnostic and monitoring research including creation of hand-held and wearable devices for chronic disease applications (e.g. diabetes, cardiac disease, cancer, preeclampsia), infectious disease (e.g. malaria) and other biosensing applications (e.g. blood toxicants). As shared in Texas A&M Engineering Communications, Dr. Coté contributes not only to fundamental research but also to translational research and the innovation ecosystem as the co-holder of several U.S. patents and as a co-founder of three medical device companies namely, BioTex, BasePair BioTechnologies, and Visualase (acquired by Medtronic in 2014).
One of Dr. Coté’s most notable achievements is his pioneering research in continuous glucose monitoring, which has revolutionized diabetes management and transformed the lives of millions of patients worldwide. Through his innovative sensor technologies, he has provided individuals with real-time insights into their blood sugar levels, enabling more effective disease management and improved quality of life.
Looking ahead, Dr. Coté is excited about the possibility of innovating in ways not previously imaginable, with the emergent focus on cross-disciplinary engagement toward solving some of the world’s most challenging problems. “Although independent research in the lab is great and provides the potential for individuals to innovate, I think solving global societal problems requires teams from varying backgrounds and disciplines,” Coté said. “Specifically, given my area of research is in biomedical engineering, inherently, we often work with other engineers, computer scientists, statisticians, ethicists, behavioral psychologists, nurses, medical doctors, patients, and the community to understand and solve some of the most challenging societal health and wellness issues.”
Dr. Coté is committed to translating scientific discoveries into tangible solutions that address real-world health challenges while inspiring others. “Over the next five years, I would like to continue to develop multi-disciplinary teams toward research with a focus on engineering for impact,” Coté said. “And, most importantly, to inspire the next generation of student and faculty innovators to tackle some of the world’s most challenging problems through engagement and collaboration with people from all backgrounds.”
The Chancellor’s Innovation Award is a testament to Dr. Coté’s exemplary contributions and commitment to driving positive change in the world. As a trailblazer in health technologies and translational research, he inspires the next generation of inventors and researchers to strive for excellence in improving human health and well-being.
Photo caption: Dr. Gerard Coté pictured in a laboratory. –Texas A&M University
Texas A&M Innovation promotes an innovative and entrepreneurial culture among A&M’s research community and uses a rigorous process to guide projects from new innovations through market commercialization. We encourage industry partnerships, support startups and entrepreneurial commercialization, make connections to mentors, funding, and other critical resources to accelerate commercialization of System IP. Through our work we strive to promote regional economic development, and ultimately impact the lives of people locally, nationally and globally.
