Mark Bayer’s career choices (from Capitol Hill to the non-profit sector to consulting) have all been driven by his desire to make a meaningful impact. And make a meaningful impact he has!

Mark is currently the president of Bayer Strategic Consulting, a boutique communications firm that helps universities and research institutes effectively communicate their work to their most important stakeholders. 

In this episode, he talks about the factors that are essential for effective communication (from capturing attention to keeping your audience engaged), the RISE System that he has developed, and what you can learn from his podcast and weekly newsletter! 

In This Episode:

[00:36] Introducing Mark Bayer, the president of Bayer Strategic Consulting. 

[02:05] Mark shares an overview of the journey that led him to the point he is currently at in his career. 

[04:19] How Mark learned to convey ideas effectively. 

[08:48] Why capturing attention is fundamental to communication. 

[10:03] Mark’s advice for how to capture your audience’s attention. 

[11:34] How to ensure that you are delivering relevant information that your audience will remember. 

[18:22] Mark explains how the RISE System works and why he developed it. 

[24:06] The two core focal areas of Mark’s podcast, When Science Speaks.

[28:22] What you can expect from Mark’s weekly newsletter, One for the Week.

[29:39] Mark shares what has driven him to make the career choices that he has. 

Resources:

Bayer Strategic Consulting

Mark Bayer on LinkedIn

When Science Speaks

One for the Week

“When the chips are down, everybody can work together.”

For the past 23 years, Dr. Anne Lane has worked at UCLB, prior to which she worked for a spin-out company while completing her MBA, prior to which she was a postdoc at Harvard. With these kinds of credentials, it’s no wonder she has risen to the top of the commercialization space as CEO of the prestigious technology transfer company.

In this episode, Anne shares her thoughts on the power of collaboration between universities, private, and public organizations, and how TenU (which she previously chaired) has helped foster international collaboration and innovation. We also delve into the various reasons why UCLB has been so successful in commercializing technologies that have come out of UCL (including their strong entrepreneurial culture, investor networks and translational funding), how technology transfer at UCLB has evolved over time, and how impactful universities really are! 

In This Episode:

[00:41] Introducing Dr. Anne Lane, CEO of UCLB.  

[02:07] Where Anne’s interest in technology commercialization originated. 

[03:21] Anne’s first job in the commercialization realm. 

[04:36] What Anne loves about her job. 

[05:58] Intersecting factors that Anne believes have allowed UCLB to achieve the success that is has. 

[09:18] Where UCLB’s focus lies and the core teams that the company is made up of.  

[12:00] Initiatives UCLB is involved in that support entrepreneurship and innovation. 

[13:12] One of UCLB’s most effective funding collaborations. 

[16:01] How TenU has been instrumental in fostering international collaboration and innovation. 

[18:35] Anne’s thoughts on why enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion is so important for an organization (and how they are creating an environment that cultivates this). 

[20:48] How UCLB has progressed over the past 20 years and how Anne sees it continuing to evolve in the future. 

[22:41] The difference between the US and European approaches to patenting. 

[23:30] A key lesson learning during the pandemic. 

[23:47] A statistic that highlights the impact of universities on the economy. 

[25:27] Advice for anyone interested in pursuing a career in technology transfer.  

Resources:

Dr. Anne Lane on LinkedIn

UCLB 

Being a technology transfer professional means being able to engage with some of the most brilliant minds and create meaningful, tangible impacts. That is why Tony Raven believes it is the best career in the world! 

Tony has had 25 years of experience in the technology transfer sector, during which he was involved in creating over 100 spin out companies and the commercialization of cutting-edge research.

During our conversation, Tony shares some examples of how technology transfer has changed the world, the difference between use-driven research and curiosity-driven research, why he avoids making predictions about the future, and more! 

If you’ve ever wondered, “What has technology transfer ever done for us?” This episode is a must-listen! 

In This Episode:

[00:37] Introducing the former CEO of Cambridge Enterprise, Tony Raven. 

[01:35] The invaluable role that universities and technology transfer offices played in the pandemic response.  

[03:11] Policy changes that have taken place since the pandemic in relation to technology transfer.

[04:19] The importance of communicating the impact of technology transfer on people’s lives. 

[07:37] Value in maintaining consistent policies for the technology transfer sector. 

[08:51] What technology transfer professionals can do to ensure that the field is taken seriously. 

[10:03] Results from a Stanford University study on the relationship between royalty sharing and outcomes.  

[11:55] Why Tony avoids making predictions. 

[12:53] The value in keeping an open mind. 

[15:41] Elements that make being a technology transfer professional the best job in the world, according to Tony. 

[17:57] Technology transfer in a post-COVID world. 

Resources:

Tony Raven on LinkedIn

Cambridge Enterprise

The Luck Factor

Without the innovative research and development being done by federal labs across the United States and the commercialization being done by the private sector, we may not have GPS, smartphones, or many of the life-saving pharmaceuticals that are available today.

Today’s guest, Dr. Whitney Hastings, leads numerous technology transfer initiatives and manages diverse portfolios at the National Cancer Institute's Technology Transfer Center. She is also the newly elected Board Chair of the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC).

In this episode, Whitney shares how the FLC, in partnership with the private sector, is providing society with the tools it needs to tackle the most challenging problems of our time, the different ways in which the FLC recognizes the work being done by the laboratories in their ecosystem, some world-changing technologies that they have played a role in bringing to market, what Whitney hopes to achieve as the Board Chair and more! 

In This Episode:

[00:39] Introducing today’s guest,  the newly elected Board Chair of the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC), Dr. Whitney Hastings.

[02:06] What Whitney loves most about working in the technology transfer field. 

[02:54] Some of the most impactful technologies that Whitney has witnessed the development of during her career. 

[04:49] Whitney shares what the work of the FLC entails. 

[05:34] Promote, educate, facilitate; the FLC’s three strategic pillars. 

[05:38] Examples of the wide variety of services offered by the FLC. 

[06:54] Whitney shares the trajectory that has led her to her current position in the FLC.

[07:20] Goals that Whitney hopes to achieve as the Board Chair of the FLC. 

[08:45] The different ways in which the FLC recognizes the innovative work being done by the laboratories in their ecosystem.

[11:16] Requirements for receiving an award from the different FLC recognition programs. 

[12:40] Some of the innovative technologies and partnerships that received FLC awards in 2023. 

[15:37] The symbiotic relationship between federal laboratories and the private sector. 

[17:21] Strategies that the FLC employs to strengthen the relationship between federal laboratories, the private sector, and technology transfer professionals. 

[18:41] Whitney’s advice for federal laboratories looking to commercialize their technologies.

[20:16] Opportunities that are available to anyone interested in pursuing a career in technology transfer. 

Resources:

Federal Laboratory Consortium 

FLC Business

FLC Digest Newsletter

FLC Learning Center

FLC Awards Program

LabTech in Your Life

Technology transfer is a major driver of economic growth and a promoter of national security. In this episode, Dr. Walter Copan joins us to share some of the key technologies that enable this, some of the biggest challenges that need to be overcome on the innovation pathway, and how to enhance the degree of collaboration between the public and private sectors.

Walter also talks about the importance of having a strong, predictable IP system, why community support is a key component of the technology transfer process, and the factors that require attention in order to ensure that the technology transfer sector reaches its full potential. 

Walter is the senior adviser of the Renewing American Innovation Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and serves as the Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. He was named the 2020 laboratory director of the year by the U.S. Federal Laboratory Consortium and received the 2021 Bayh-Dole Award from AUTM for his contributions to innovation and technology transfer.

In This Episode:

[00:38] One of the key benefits of technology transfer.

[01:09] Introducing Dr. Walter Copan, senior adviser of the Renewing American Innovation Project and Vice President for Research and Technology Transfer at the Colorado School of Mines.

[02:34] Walter explains how technology transfer drives economic growth. 

[06:43] The link between national security and economic growth.  

[07:52] Why the manufacturing sector is an important source of innovation in the United States. 

[09:03] Examples of the technologies that play a major role in national security as well as economic growth.  

[11:13] The importance of having a strong, predictable IP system. 

[14:11] Some of the biggest obstacles in the innovation process.

[16:56] How to enhance the degree of collaboration between the public and private sectors. 

[18:58] Why a supportive community is essential to successful technology transfer. 

[21:00] The global impact of the United States’ technology transfer sector. 

[24:07] Walter’s thoughts on how the fields of AI and quantum computing are going to affect technology transfer. 

[27:57] How to ensure that the full potential of the technology transfer sector is realized. 

Resources:

Dr. Walter Copan on LinkedIn

Renewing American Innovation Project 

Colorado School of Mines

The Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) is a group of technology transfer professionals from over 300 federal laboratories across the full spectrum of federal agencies. In this episode, we are joined by the Chair of the National Advisory Committee (NAC) of the FLC, Richard (Dick) Paul.

Prior to his current role, Dick was a Major General in the U.S. Air Force, Vice President of the Boeing Company, and First Commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory. 

In this episode, Dick explains how the NAC (which is comprised of eight people with a diverse range of backgrounds) supports technology transfer efforts, the skills that are required to commercialize technologies, some of the key trends that he is seeing take place in the technology transfer field and more! 

In This Episode:

[00:37] Introducing the Chair of the Federal Laboratory Consortium's (FLC) National Advisory Committee (NAC), Major General Richard (Dick) Paul.

[02:09] An explanation of what the FLC is and the mission of the FLC’s NAC. 

[03:10] The length of time that NAC board members typically serve for. 

[03:47] Why Dick is so enamored with the technology transfer sector. 

[05:50] The role that the FLC plays in supporting technology transfer. 

[07:25] What Dick sees as the biggest challenge faced by the FLC. 

[08:35] The role of the private sector in commercializing technologies and how the FLC is working towards enhanced collaboration with industry. 

[11:10] Skills that are required to take a technology from development to commercialization. 

[13:50] How the FLC helps people to commercialize technologies.  

[16:18] Dick’s thoughts on some of the main trends that are currently taking place in the technology transfer sphere. 

[19:40] The synergy between the FLC and AUTM. 

Resources:

Federal Laboratory Consortium

Today is World Intellectual Property Day, and this year's theme focuses on celebrating the achievements of women in the field of innovation and creativity. Laura is certainly one of the many women who deserve to be celebrated today, not only for her technical and entrepreneurial achievements, but also the work she is doing to lift other women up alongside her! 

Women and minorities still face numerous barriers to entry into STEM fields. During this episode, Laura shares what actions should be taken by educational institutions, companies, and organizations to combat these. 

Tuning in, you will also hear about the founding story of Laura’s consulting company, Fuentek, and her top pieces of advice on how to set yourself up for a successful career in technology transfer! 

In This Episode:

[00:38] The theme of this year’s World Intellectual Property Day!

[01:02] Introducing today’s guest, Laura Schoppe, founder and president of Fuentek LLC.

[02:09] An overview of Laura’s career trajectory to date.

[04:05] The initial steps to take when you embark on the journey of founding a business.

[05:08] What made Fuentek an unusual company at the time of its founding in 2001. 

[05:38] The value of going after government contracts as a technology transfer professional. 

[06:21] Some of the biggest challenges that Laura has faced since founding Fuentek. 

[09:08] How to get more women and minorities into STEM fields. 

[11:30] Support that Fuentek provides to small businesses. 

[15:55] How to set yourself up for a successful career in technology transfer.

[20:03] How companies do to create a more inclusive workplace culture (using Laura’s personal experience as an example). 

[22:03] Laura’s thoughts on what can and should be done about the problem of unconscious bias in the workplace. 

[28:01] Examples of how to help inventors overcome the barriers to entry into the technology transfer space. 

[31:10] The importance of celebrating women innovators.

Resources:

Laura Schoppe on LinkedIn

Fuentek

FIRST North Carolina

When people with different ways of thinking collaborate effectively, magic happens! 

Some people think visually, some verbally, some mathematically, and some a combination of all three. Today’s guest, Dr. Temple Grandin, is a Professor of Animal Science, author, speaker, and a trailblazer in the field of autism advocacy. Temple is an autistic person who describes herself as an “extreme visual thinker,” and in this episode, she explains why the world needs neurodiversity! 

From the barriers that neurodiverse individuals commonly experience in the workplace to advice for creating more supportive places for different thinkers, tune in today to get an idea of what the world looks like from Temple’s perspective. 

In This Episode:

[00:53] Introducing Animal Science Professor and autism advocacy trailblazer Dr. Temple Grandin. 

[02:15] The importance of visual thinking in the realm of animal science. 

[06:24] Temple’s thoughts on how to increase neurodiversity in the technology transfer field. 

[08:37] How neurodiversity leads to better outcomes. 

[11:30] Advice for working with neurodiverse people. 

[15:25] Examples of how to leverage the skills of visual thinkers. 

[17:17] Temple’s approach to overcoming challenges she has faced in the workplace. 

[19:13] The value of different ways of thinking. 

[21:04] Advice for neurodiverse people interested in pursuing a career in STEM.

[22:00] Vital elements that are missing from the school curriculum. 

[23:21] Research that Temple is currently conducting around horse perception. 

[25:39] An example that highlights what can happen when people with different ways of thinking collaborate effectively. 

[29:12] What keeps Temple inspired. 

[31:39] The transformative power of early intervention.

Resources:

Temple Grandin 

Temple Grandin on LinkedIn

Temple Grandin Books

The World Needs All Kinds of Minds (TED Talk)

A combination of factors enabled the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) to successfully create the first university technology transfer office while others around them failed. The role that this institution has played in shaping our world is monumental. 

In this episode, we pick up where we left off in our previous conversation, and Kevin Walters shares the story of WARF in the wake of Harry Steenbock’s vitamin D patent (which was ultimately dedicated to the public in 1946). 

Kevin also explains the circumstances that led to the passage of the Bayh-Dole Act and the work that he is now doing at WARF since completing his (fascinating) dissertation.  

In This Episode:

[01:06] Factors that enabled WARF’s success in establishing the first technology transfer office. 

[02:47] When other universities started having success in the technology transfer field. 

[04:32] Companies that Harry Steenbock’s vitamin D patent was licensed to. 

[07:16] How the New Deal impacted WARF and Steenbock’s patent. 

[10:28] The legal battle that WARF was involved in relating to Steenbock’s patent. 

[11:44] The ultimate fate of Steenbock’s patent. 

[12:30] How the post-war environment led to the passing of the Bayh-Dole Act. 

[21:00] Work that Kevin has been doing since completing his dissertation. 

Resources:

Kevin Walters on LinkedIn

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Vitamania

In this episode, we’re taking a trip back to the time before the establishment of the very first university technology transfer office in the United States in 1925. 

A set of fortuitous circumstances in Kevin Walters’ life gave him the opportunity to write a Ph.D. dissertation on the history of the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), where he has worked for the past 12 years. 

In this episode, Kevin explains how the discoveries that stubborn scientist Dr. Harry Steenbock made about vitamin D led to the filing of a patent which became the basis for the creation of WARF. 

This is just the beginning of the story, so be sure to tune in next week for part two.

In This Episode:

[01:05] An overview of Kevin Walters’ educational and career trajectory to date. 

[02:11] The origin story of Kevin’s journey at WARF. 

[03:29] How Kevin’s dissertation topic came about. 

[08:39] Factors that led to the establishment of the first technology transfer office at Madison-Wisconsin.

[12:59] Breakthroughs made by Stephen Babcock in the late 19th century. 

[18:00] Why Dr. Harry Steenbock is central to the founding story of WARF. 

[20:07] The story of George Keto.

[22:29] Advantages and disadvantages of Dr. Steenbock’s controlling personality. 

[25:15] A central argument of Kevin’s dissertation. 

[26:07] Dr. Steenbock’s first patent. 

[30:11] The discovery that led to the patent which became the basis for the creation of WARF. 

[33:38] Factors that enabled the creation of WARF. 

Resources:

Kevin Walters on LinkedIn

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation