In support of its initiatives to expand inclusive innovation and entrepreneurship to grow jobs and improve lives, the USPTO announced the renaming of its Edison Visiting Scholars Program after Dr. Marian Rogers Croak. She is a pioneer in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technologies, inventor of the text-to-donate system, and a 2022 inductee into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

“Dr. Croak’s contributions to global society are unparalleled, with her VoIP technology serving as the basis for today’s Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other telecommunications programs that enable virtual connectivity,” said Kathi Vidal, under secretary of commerce for intellectual property and director of the USPTO. “This technology helped so many of us remain connected with our loved ones during the pandemic and has transformed the modern workplace.”

Dr. Croak responded: “I am truly humbled to receive this honor from the USPTO. This program is essential to improving the quality of our intellectual property system and expanding access to our nation’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosphere.”