Carlos Baez-Pagan and his team at the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust are working towards the creation of a globally recognized innovation hub. In this episode, Carlos, the Trust’s Associate Director, shares what their journey over the past (almost) 20 years has entailed.  

Carlos has a background in biochemistry and business administration, has been an AUTM member since 2017, is co-chair of the Better World Project, and is one of the pioneers of technology transfer in his home country. 

Listen to this insightful episode to learn about the four strategic pillars of the Trust, how they support Hispanic innovators on a local and global scale, some of their most noteworthy success stories, and their aspirations for the future!

In This Episode:

[00:53] Introducing Carlos Baez-Pagan, Associate Director of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust. 

[01:48] The mission of the Trust. 

[02:45] An overview of the Trust’s four strategic pillars and the programs that they cover. 

[07:04] How the Trust has evolved since its founding in 2004.

[09:21] Carlos’ educational and career trajectory to date. 

[17:07] Science City: the Trust’s main infrastructure-related initiative. 

[20:02] Support the Trust offers to innovators, inventors, and entrepreneurs.   

[25:10] The collaborative network that the Trust has established (and the many benefits it has). 

[27:10] The global scale of the Trust in terms of supporting Hispanic innovators. 

[30:18] Some of the Trust’s greatest achievements. 

[32:35] Educational programs in Puerto Rico that focus on uplifting Hispanic talent in the fields of science and technology. 

[34:12] Highlighting the success of the Trust’s Research Grants Program. 

[36:44] Goals that the Trust is working towards. 

Resources:

Carlos Baez-Pagan

Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust

Ovarian cancer is one of the biggest killers, one of the hardest to diagnose, and the second most expensive to treat. Today’s guest is the cofounder of AOA Dx, a company that is transforming ovarian cancer detection and diagnosis.

Oriana Papin-Zoghbi is a Venezuelan-born entrepreneur who grew up in the Middle East and attended school in Europe before moving to the United States. In this episode, she shares how she serendipitously became involved in the women’s health space before the word femtech even existed, how her Hispanic heritage has influenced her career, and the founding story of AOA Dx.

The lack of funding for, lack of research on, and diagnostic challenges of ovarian cancer means that 80% of women are diagnosed when they are in stage 3 or 4 even though they present with symptoms far earlier. Tune in today to hear how AOA Dx is going to change that, and the huge implications it will have for the healthcare space. 

In This Episode:

[00:40] Introducing CEO and cofounder of early cancer detection company AOA Dx, Oriana Papin-Zoghbi.

[01:50] An overview of Oriana’s career journey.

[04:26] Factors that inspired the founding of AOA Dx.

[05:07] What the early days of AOA Dx entailed for Oriana and her cofounders.

[05:55] Oriana’s heritage and how it has impacted her career as an entrepreneur in the biotech industry. 

[08:44] The challenges of conducting early screening for ovarian cancer. 

[10:29] How ovarian cancer is traditionally diagnosed. 

[11:57] How AOA Dx has transformed ovarian cancer diagnoses.

[12:53] An overview of the process of founding and building out AOA Dx. 

[14:50] The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer. 

[16:02] Novel biomarkers that AOA Dx has developed for ovarian cancer screening. 

[17:15] The importance of collaboration in the technology transfer space and some of AOA Dx’s key partnerships. 

[19:27] How AOA Dx’s diagnostic tool will transform the healthcare space. 

[21:12] Plans that Oriana and her cofounders have for the future of AOA Dx. 

[22:19] Major challenges of working in the diagnostics space. 

[23:50] Advice for aspiring healthcare entrepreneurs. 

Resources:

Oriana Papin-Zoghbi

AOA Dx

Through his company, Easymetering, Byron Rojas is disrupting the energy sector by simultaneously optimizing consumption and reducing carbon emissions. In this episode, the second in our Hispanic Heritage Month series, he joins us to share the fascinating journey that has brought him to this point!

Byron is an electronic engineering graduate from Ecuador who has pioneered cutting-edge innovations in the fields of data transmission, cellular network infrastructure, and smart metering technology.

Tune in today to hear what inspires him, the strong influence that his Hispanic heritage has had on his career, some of his most memorable experiences as both an innovator and an entrepreneur, the big goals that he is aiming to achieve through Easymetering, and more! 

In This Episode:

[00:51] Introducing Byron Rojas, the founder of Easymetering.  

[01:55] Byron shares what has inspired him to found his own companies. 

[09:19] Limitations of the current smart meter technologies. 

[10:23] The goal that Byron hopes to achieve through Easymetering. 

[10:41] What Easymetering is and how it works.  

[13:14] The influence that Byron’s Hispanic heritage has had on his life. 

[17:34] Byron’s experience of the United States’ commercialization process. 

[22:36] A defining moment of Byron’s career in the metering industry. 

[26:12] Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI): what it is and why it matters. 

[29:27] The percentage of meters that are smart in the United States and how Byron is working to change this.  

[32:26] How Easymetering contributes to decarbonization. 

[34:30] Byron’s long-term aspirations for Easymetering. 

[35:54] Where Byron has drawn inspiration from along his journey. 

[38:20] Words of advice for aspiring Hispanic entrepreneurs and innovators. 

Resources:

Byron Rojas on LinkedIn

Easymetering

“We need to make sure that we have everyone at the table so that everyone is being fed.”

In this episode, the first of our Hispanic Heritage Month series, Dr. Jose Morey joins us to share how including diverse perspectives in technological development is the key to breaking down systemic inequality. 

Jose, formerly an advisor to NASA, Forbes, and MIT, is the founder of Ad Astra Media and the LISTA National Chair at TechLatino. His diverse background, Hispanic heritage, and drive to create economic opportunities in underserved communities make him a force to be reckoned with. 

Tune in to hear his approach to driving positive change, which includes mitigating unconscious biases and crafting compelling stories to inspire the next generation of Hispanic STEAM professionals. 

In This Episode:

[01:01] Introducing Dr. Jose Morey, the founder of Ad Astra Media and LISTA National Chair at TechLatino. 

[02:28] The origin story of Ad Astra Media.  

[05:59] Examples of how technology can exacerbate inequalities. 

[11:20] How to mitigate our inherent unconscious biases. 

[12:57] Ad Astra Media’s approach to inspiring future Hispanic generations to pursue careers in STEAM fields. 

[14:49] The value of having mentors who look like you.  

[17:48] Strengths that Hispanic and Latinx professionals bring to the technology transfer and STEAM sectors.   

[19:44] What research shows about women-led versus male-led companies. 

[21:23] Where you can learn more about the work being done by Ad Astra Media. 

[21:42] Some of the exciting projects that Ad Astra Media is currently working on. 

Resources:

Dr. Jose Morey on LinkedIn

Ad Astra Media

Ad Astra Media on Instagram

TechLatino

Coded Bias

A Million Miles Away

Encanto

AUTM’s Better World Project (BWP) is a platform that showcases impactful inventions, from Honeycrisp apples to life-changing medical devices, with the aim of highlighting the transformative power of academic research when it is put into practice. 

Ann Amidzich has a background in criminal justice and is currently a Co-Chair of the Better World Project Committee. In this episode, she shares examples of the inventions that the BWP has showcased, how AUTM assists applicants through the process, how they intend to expand the project in the future, and more. 

Submissions for the 2024 Awards are open until September 30th, and your contributions can make a real difference in promoting the positive impact of research and innovation!

In This Episode:

[00:45] An overview of the Better World Project (BWP)

[01:30] Introducing Ann Amidzich, a Senior Intellectual Property Manager for the Office of Technology Development at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Co-Chair of the BWP Committee.

[02:57] An overview of Ann’s fascinating career journey. 

[04:50] Ann’s motivation for transitioning into the field of technology transfer. 

[05:36] Some of the BWP success stories that have resonated most with Ann. 

[06:48] The value of BWP to academic research and the technology transfer industry. 

[07:17] Examples of the wide range of inventions that have been showcased by the BWP. 

[08:26] Qualities that Ann and her team look for when deciding which inventions to showcase in the BWP. 

[09:40] How Ann and her co-chair plan to expand the BWP in the future. 

[10:47] Ways in which the BWP has evolved since its founding.

[12:52] Why Ann is so inspired by the BWP. 

[13:36] How AUTM guides applicants through the process of submitting to the BWP Awards. 

[15:21] How to play a role in the world-changing work being done by BWP. 

Resources:

Better World Project 

AUTM

Ann Amidzich on LinkedIn

Brook Pritchett Email Address

Since 1999, John Miner has been involved in the AUTM Salary Survey, an indispensable tool that provides a comprehensive review of compensation trends in the field of technology transfer. 

The value of the salary survey lies in its ability to help technology transfer offices understand what they need to do to attract and retain talent and to make technology transfer professionals aware of the opportunities that come with developing a career in the space.

In today’s episode, John explains how upgrades to the Salary Survey have made it much more user-friendly. We then discuss the implications of some of the most surprising findings, including the 20 to 30% decline in staffing since the pandemic across the offices that responded, the fact that 46% of respondents had been in their current position for 3 years or less and that 100 out of the 121 institutions that took part employ a hybrid working model! 

In This Episode:

[01:23] Introducing John Miner, an Assistant Director in the Office of Technology Transfer at the University of Central Florida. 

[02:34] Why the AUTM Salary Survey is an indispensable resource for technology transfer professionals. 

[05:20] What the Salary Survey tells us about how the pandemic impacted staffing across technology transfer offices. 

[05:38] Upgrades that have recently been made to the Salary Survey and the benefits that it will have for the field. 

[09:38] The staggering job turnover rate that was identified in the Salary Survey. 

[11:35] What the Salary Survey indicates about hybrid and remote working models. 

[14:10] Findings from the Salary Survey relating to hiring for leadership positions. 

[14:32] Positions that are more and less optimal for hybrid or remote work. 

[15:56] A major benefit of employing a hybrid or remote working model. 

[17:26] Findings from the Salary Survey relating to divisions along gender lines in the technology transfer space. 

[18:23] Why John is optimistic about the technology transfer field’s ability to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

[20:30] Value of the AUTM Mentorship Committee. 

[21:57] Consternation that the Salary Survey causes for some technology transfer offices.

[23:20] How the Salary Survey benefits people developing a career in technology transfer and technology transfer offices. 

[26:09] John’s thoughts on the reasons for the decline in the number of responses to  the 2022 Salary Survey in comparison to 2017.  

[29:47] The cost of the Salary Survey. 

Resources:

John Miner on LinkedIn

AUTM Salary Survey

University of Central Florida

AUTM Mentorship Committee

In this episode, we’re delving into the 2022 Canadian Licensing Survey with the Chair of the AUTM Canadian Licensing Survey Committee and Associate Director of Technology Transfer at McGill University, Olivia Novac.

Olivia’s involvement in the Licensing Survey originated from her desire to change the fact that many institutions were opting out of taking the survey. Understanding the Survey’s enormous value for the innovation ecosystem, Olivia took on the Chair position in 2017 and has never looked back.

Join us as we unpack some of the key findings from the Licensing Survey, the opportunities that it provides to technology transfer professionals, the differences between the Canadian and American technology transfer landscapes, and more!  

In This Episode:

[00:33] An overview of AUTM’s Annual Licensing Activity Survey. 

[02:12] Introducing Olivia Novac, the Chair of the AUTM Canadian Licensing Survey Committee and Associate Director of Technology Transfer at McGill University.

[02:11] Olivia explains how she became involved with the Canadian Licensing Survey. 

[03:58] Key differences between the US and Canadian technology transfer sectors.  

[07:00] A surprising finding from the Canadian Licensing Survey. 

[08:23] Funding-related changes that have taken place over the past year. 

[09:24] A finding from the Canadian Licensing Survey that indicates a positive trend in the technology transfer space.

[10:10] The value of the Canadian Licensing Survey as a benchmarking tool. 

[12:31] What makes the AUTM Licensing Survey unique. 

[13:43] Misconceptions that can be cleared up through data obtained from the Canadian Licensing Survey. 

[16:10] Opportunities that the Canadian Licensing Survey presents for collaborations in the technology transfer space. 

[17:29] The process of ensuring that the Canadian Licensing Survey is continually evolving and improving. 

[19:24] How Olivia and her team at McGill University make use of the data from the Canadian Licensing Survey. 

[21:35] Ways in which you can use the data from the Canadian Licensing Survey to optimize your technology transfer efforts. 

[22:04] How Olivia came to be multilingual and the benefits it has afforded her in her career.  

Resources:

Olivia Novac on LinkedIn

2022 Licensing Survey

McGill University

“With policy, you have to think long-game. This is a marathon, not a sprint.”

The policy landscape is continuously evolving; every day there is a new government action taking place that influences technology transfer on university campuses. As a technology transfer professional, staying on top of those changes will help you facilitate far-reaching impact. 

Today’s guest, Kate Hudson, is the Associate Vice President and Counsel for Policy and Federal Relations at the Association of American Universities. Her experience in intellectual property, technology transfer, open and public access, data privacy, and copyright issues make her a powerhouse in the policy advocacy arena. 

In this episode, Kate shares the importance of understanding that policy advocacy is a long game, why traditional technology transfer metrics don’t paint the full picture of the impact of the innovation ecosystem, her advice for building strong relationships with policy-makers, her worries about the US IP system, and how to “get visible” in the policy space! 

In This Episode:

[00:55] Introducing Kate Hudson, Associate Vice President and Counsel for Policy and Federal Relations at the Association of American Universities.

[02:31] Examples of the many ways that policy decisions influence technology transfer on university campuses. 

[04:20] How Kate stays on top of the daily changes that are taking place at a policy level.   

[05:38] The mindset that is required for technology transfer offices to collaborate effectively with research and government relations departments. 

[06:36] Advice for building strong relationships with policy-makers. 

[09:15] The importance of looking beyond traditional technology transfer metrics at the broader impact on the economy as a whole. 

[12:47] How (and why) to combat the decentralization culture on American university campuses as a technology transfer professional. 

[17:29] An overview of the current political landscape and how it affects the technology transfer space. 

[22:12] The benefits of being a generalist, like Kate, working in the technology transfer field. 

[25:08] Kate’s involvement in educating congresspeople about the Bayh-Dole Act and march-in rights. 

[30:54] The concerning state of the US IP system. 

[36:09] How to stay up to date on ever-evolving policy developments.

[39:30] The three pillars of the innovation ecosystem and the importance of policy advocacy in ensuring these pillars maintain their strengths.

[43:20] Why you should be loud about your work in the policy space! 

Resources:

Kate Hudson on LinkedIn

Association of American Universities

National Academy of Inventors

Israel is a hotbed for innovation, particularly in the high-tech space. This is evidenced by the fact that the sector makes up 18.1% of the country’s GDP (making it the largest contributor to the economy). Part of the reason for the enormous success they have achieved is the remarkable collaboration between academia, industry, and technology transfer offices.

Today’s guest is the CEO of Ramot, the Tech Transfer Company of Tel Aviv University, and co-chair of the Israel Tech Transfer Network (ITTN), Keren Primor Cohen. Keren and her team have played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academia and industry in the innovation ecosystem.

During this episode, Keren delves into some of the incredible innovation success stories that she has been involved in bringing to life, the various types of support that Israel’s technology transfer sector offers to startups, and her advice for navigating the technology transfer landscape. 

In This Episode:

[01:00] Introducing Keren Primor Cohen, the CEO of Ramot and co-chair of the ITTN.

[02:23] Reasons for the recent rise in startups originating from universities and medical centers in Israel.

[03:46] An example that highlights the powerful connection between academia, industry, and technology transfer in Israel. 

[05:07] Some of the most memorable success stories that Keren has been involved with during her time as CEO of Ramot. 

[08:17] The value that collaborative platforms like ITTN bring to the innovation sector. 

[09:53] How partnerships between academic institutions and government agencies in industries have impacted innovation in Israel.  

[11:36] Support that Israel’s technology transfer sector offers to startups. 

[15:22] The size of the Israeli high-tech sector. 

[16:02] Three sectors that are at the forefront of the Israeli tech sector.  

[17:29] Similarities and differences between Israeli and American approaches to technology transfer. 

[20:42] Advice for navigating the technology transfer landscape. 

Resources:

Keren Primor Cohen on LinkedIn 

Ramot

Israel Tech Transfer Network

Today’s guest, Derrick L. Maultsby Jr., serves as a business advisor and corporate transactional lawyer to startups, small to mid-sized businesses, and Fortune 50 companies in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, helping them grow intelligently and effectively. 

The startup world is one of “nuances and details,” and numerous important legal elements need to be taken into consideration when founding a business. In this episode, Derrick explains where founders and founding teams often go wrong from a legal perspective and offers his sound advice on the steps that should be taken in order to give a startup the best chance of success. 

From deciding on the type of legal entity that best suits your needs and attracting the right investors to ensuring that your IP is adequately protected, the wealth of knowledge that Derrick shares during this episode will broaden your understanding of what is involved in navigating the startup journey!  

In This Episode:

[00:36] Introducing corporate attorney and business advisor Derrick Maultsby Jr. 

[02:14] Areas within which Derrick works.

[02:44] Elements that all startup founders need to be aware of.   

[03:46] The most effective ways technology transfer offices can support startup founders and founding teams. 

[06:00] Examples of the different entity structures and advice for choosing the best one for your business. 

[10:01] External legal building blocks that every startup founder needs to consider.  

[13:01] Some of the most common legal mistakes made by startup founders and founding teams that lead to huge liabilities. 

[18:16] Key practices that are correlated with success in the startup world.  

[21:46] Factors that commonly cause a startup to fail. 

[23:35] How to ensure that your IP is adequately protected. 

[26:29] Derrick’s advice for attracting potential investors. 

[28:28] Understanding why “not all money is good money.”

[30:33] Why Derrick cautions against founding a startup without legal counsel. 

[33:19] The importance of investing in the minority innovation ecosystem. 

Resources:

Derrick Maultsby on LinkedIn