IP Hot Topics

Our “Innovation Conversations” series continues with Allen Chen, the Mars 2020 Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) Lead at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Sterne Kessler Director Trey Powers interviewed Allen about several aspects of the Perseverance mission, including: the mechanics of EDL and testing the equipment; sky crane technology; building on past missions to devise the EDL process; and groundbreaking innovations developed by his team.

Our “Innovation Conversations” series continues with President of Howard University Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick. Sterne Kessler Director Trey Powers and Director of Marketing and Communications Kathryn Holmes Johnson (HU Class of 1988) discussed several topics with Dr. Frederick, including: Howard University’s legacy of research and innovation; the role of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in graduating STEM students and developing intellectual property; solutions to the challenges faced by Howard University and Black communities during the COVID-19 pandemic; and more. Plus, did you know that Dr. Frederick still finds time to operate? Stay tuned until the end of the episode to learn more!

Our “Innovation Conversations” series continues with our guest Paul Reed Smith, Founder and Managing General Partner of Paul Reed Smith Guitars. Sterne Kessler Directors Trey Powers and Don Featherstone discussed several topics with Paul, including: a story about legendary guitarist Carlos Santana; the intersection between science and the humanities in guitar making; the backstory and innovation behind his company Digital Harmonic; and the IP protection PRS Guitars has acquired by collaborating with Sterne Kessler Directors Monica Riva Talley on trademarks and Don Featherstone on patents. Listen until the end of the episode to hear about Paul’s love of barracuda fishing!

Our “Innovation Conversations” series continues with our guest Dr. Claire Fraser, President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Director of the Institute for Genome Sciences at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Sterne Kessler Director Trey Powers discussed several topics with Dr. Fraser including: her professional achievements and career challenges; bioprospecting in Yellowstone National Park; the importance of genome sequencing; perspectives on the U.S. patent system; and hopes for the future of biotech. Listen until the end of the episode to learn Dr. Fraser’s favorite hobby, which involves two closets full of costumes! 

"Innovation Conversations” series continues with our guest Andrei Iancu, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Sterne Kessler Directors Trey Powers and Rob Sterne discussed several topics with Director Iancu including: how emigrating from Romania has shaped his worldview; his background as a patent attorney in private practice; the changes implemented at the United States Patent and Trademark Office under his leadership; and policy goals to keep the United States competitive in the global innovation space.

The second episode of IP Hot Topics features part two of our “Innovation Conversations” discussion with renowned author, analyst, journalist, historian and Tulane University professor Walter Isaacson. Sterne Kessler Directors Trey Powers and Eldora Ellison interview Professor Isaacson about the functionality of and investors’ participation in the United States patent system, the importance of forming scientific opinions based on available data, and how to depoliticize science in the current political climate. Further, Walter shares his perspectives on the future of innovation specific to new disruptors on the horizon and his concerns about the accessibility of technology and entrepreneurship.

 In this inaugural edition of the IP Hot Topics podcast, we kick off our Innovation Conversations series. We’re joined by renowned author, analyst, journalist, historian and Tulane University professor Walter Isaacson. Professor Isaacson explains key traits that great innovators share and examines how specific structures and a frontier mentality made the U.S. fertile ground for innovation. After exploring the roots of intellectual property protection, the discussion with Isaacson explores COVID-19 research as an opportunity to strike a necessary balance while serving the good of humankind.