UW C4C Staff | UW Center for Commercialization

Deborah Alterman

Technology Manager, Engineering

Email: dalterma@uw.edu
Phone: 206-616-6825

Deborah Alterman joined the Center for Commercialization (C4C) in 2011. She has experience at both large and small companies doing mathematical modeling and project management for laser and aerospace applications. Previously she worked as a postdoctoral researcher in applied math at the University of Colorado. Deborah enjoys bringing people together from research universities, small companies and large businesses in order to commercialize University of Washington innovations. She did her graduate work at the University of Michigan, where she earned a PhD in math, focusing on nonlinear partial differential equations, and a MS in electrical engineering, focusing on optics and control theory.

Kellie S. Bickel

Patent Agent

Email: kbickel@uw.edu
Phone: 206-685-3320

Kellie Bickel manages all aspects of patent prosecution and strategy for life science related technologies including partnering with UW researchers and commercialization teams to develop strong IP. Prior to joining the UW Center for Commercialization (C4C) in September 2009, she was a patent agent at Perkins Coie LLP, focusing on biotechnology, chemistry, and medical device technologies. There she worked closely with inventors, business teams, and legal colleagues on a variety of matters, from responding to office actions and drafting patent applications to assisting in patentability evaluations, and freedom-to-operate and invalidity opinions. Kellie earned her B.S. in biological sciences at California Polytechnic State University and her Ph.D. in molecular and cellular biology at the University of Washington. She has broad technical experience in nucleic acid and protein biochemistry and also has conducted research to investigate a variety of cellular processes including protein translation control, early cell identity, cell cycle and oncogene regulation.

David P. Brown

Director, Finance and Business Operations

Email: dbrown@uw.edu
Phone: 206-616-2054

David Brown has been at the UW Center for Commercialization for 16 years. For the last eight years he has directed the finance and business operations group, which is responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable, contract management, royalty distributions, and the integration and maintenance of a system-wide database. In his previous position with the licensing group he managed a large portfolio of medical device technologies and served as the unit’s associate director for a year before assuming his current position. Prior to joining C4C, David was a product development engineer at Abbott Laboratories, where he worked on medical devices incorporating optically based chemical sensors. He holds a BS degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland and an MS in bioengineering and MBA from the University of Washington.

Ryan Buckmaster

Technology Manager, Engineering

Email: rbuckmas@uw.edu
Phone: 206-685-3862

Ryan Buckmaster has been with the Center for Commercialization (C4C) since 2010 and focuses on new technologies and innovations in the microelectronics, optics, materials and medical device areas. Prior to joining the C4C, Ryan worked in the semiconductor fabrication industry and did his graduate work at Tohoku University on the development of novel nanostructure fabrication methods and at the University of Washington on optical spectroscopy based real-time single cell analysis systems. Ryan has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Washington and a M.S. in Materials Science from Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan. When not working to commercialize University of Washington innovations, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family, sailing and hiking.

Valerie Carricaburu

Senior Technology Manager, Health Sciences

Email: carricav@uw.edu
Phone: 206-616-7364

A neuroscientist by training, Valerie Carricaburu manages a portfolio of life sciences and bioengineering technologies including innovations focused on stem cells. She joined the UW Center for Commercialization in early 2007 after completing a post-doctoral position at the Boston Biomedical Research Institute, where she investigated the role of a pathway involved in the synthesis of a key lipid, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate. Valerie earned her doctorate in neurosciences in Bordeaux, France, where she also taught physiology, neurosciences, pharmacology, and neuroanatomy to pharmacy students. She loves living and working in the U.S., and even more in Washington State, but returns to Bordeaux every year to visit family and friends.

Mike Clarke

Technology Manager, Engineering

Email: mclarke@uw.edu
Phone: 206-616-3254

Mike Clarke joined the Center for Commercialization in February 2010 to focus on engineering innovations, especially in the electrical, mechanical, computer science, and materials science fields. His portfolio of technologies includes sensors, wireless devices, smart grid, nanophotonics, and self-assembly. Mike brings experience as a design engineer, project manager, and producer in multiple startup companies, in medium and large firms, and as an independent consultant. He has worked on ultra-mobile PCs, a handheld gaming device, high-volume consumer electronics, and specialized scientific and industrial equipment. His product development experience runs the gamut from initial concept work to patent application, manufacturing in Southeast Asia, meeting with U.S. retail buyers, and quality improvement analysis. Mike earned a BS in mechanical engineering and a MS in smart product design from Stanford University and a certificate in IP management from UW Extension. In his spare time Mike enjoys playing sports like soccer, basketball, and squash.

Laura Dorsey

Senior Technology Manager, Engineering and Sciences

Email: ldorsey@uw.edu
Phone: 206-685-6790

Laura Dorsey has managed software and digital media projects since joining the UW Center for Commercialization in 2006. Laura’s experience includes more than a decade working in industry in sales and engineering positions and more than a decade at the university-industry interface working with companies to help them find technical expertise in the state’s universities, participate in state grant programs, and learn and apply for federal SBIR grants.

Gail Dykstra

Senior Technology Manager, Software

Email: gdykstra@uw.edu
Phone: 206-543-4611

Gail Dykstra works with digital media, databases, and software materials created by UW researchers. She manages the intellectual property rights, creates appropriate dissemination strategies and business models, and develops business opportunities for commercialization of the assets. Gail earned a master’s degree in library and information science at the University of Washington and brings to her work experience in publishing, software and competitive intelligence, and product development in the information industry, software, and public-interest sectors. Prior to joining the UW Center for Commercialization in October 2003, Gail was a consultant in digital rights and product development; a research manager in information services at Microsoft Corporation, director of content and business development at Micromedia Limited (Canada’s largest database and business information publisher), and senior director of research and programs for the Canadian Law Information Council.

Andrew Graham

Patent Portfolio Manager

Email: argraham@uw.edu
Phone: 206-221-2969

Andrew manages all aspects of patent prosecution for electrical and mechanical engineering related technologies. As a member of the Center for Commercialization (C4C) team, Andrew works closely with UW researchers, C4C technology and licensing managers, and outside counsel to obtain thorough, well-crafted patent protection for UW inventions. Prior to joining C4C, Andrew gained perspective and experience in patent prosecution as both a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office as well as a scientific advisor at a boutique intellectual property law firm. At the USPTO, Andrew’s patent examination involved numerous audio-related technologies, including loudspeaker and microphone design, as well as various signal processing arrangements. Andrew is a registered patent agent and holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Yale University. Away from the office, Andrew enjoys different outdoor pursuits that the Pacific Northwest has to offer, and is particularly experienced as a long distance backpacker.

Dennis Hanson

Technology Manager, Health Sciences

Email: hansonda@uw.edu
Phone: 206-543-8037

Dennis joined the UW Center for Commercialization in March 2007 after spending two years as a research scientist in the Seattle biotechnology community. The move to C4C is a homecoming of sorts as Dennis had two prior stints of UW employment, first as a research technologist after graduating from the UW with a BS in molecular and cellular biology and later as a research assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedics. In between those two UW experiences he earned a PhD in immunology at Stanford University and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center. Through 17 years of performing biomedical research, Dennis endeavors to provide a research scientist perspective to technology transfer, a process he has experienced in both academic and industry settings.

Fred Holt

Director, Strategic Initiatives

Email: fbholt@uw.edu
Phone: 206-543-3970

As director of strategic initiatives, Fred Holt provides leadership in industry relations, state economic development, and entrepreneurial infrastructure such as bridge funds and incubators. He joined the Center for Commercialization in 2005 after four years directing a Seattle-area startup that he co-founded to commercialize the Swan multicast technology. Previously Fred worked for eleven years in Boeing’s IT research groups, where he helped develop new sensor systems, computer geometry software, visualization software for high-dimensional data, Swan multicast technology, and the TRUST data-mining system. He earned a PhD in mathematics from the UW and an MBA at Seattle University.

Chris Igielski

Associate Director for Early-Stage Funding, New Ventures

Email: cti2@uw.edu
Phone: 206-543-9522

Chris supports C4C’s efforts for UW to become an increasingly effective engine of economic development for the State and the region. His current projects include supporting efforts to form crucial early stage private capital for UW start-up companies, as well as analyzing legislation and benchmarking best U.S. practices for university economic development to support company formation around promising UW technologies.

Chris Joined C4C as a technology manager in 2008 where his responsibilities included evaluating, patenting, and licensing biomedical devices and diagnostic technologies. He also worked to foster several UW startups. Prior to joining C4C, Chris was a sole practitioner attorney admitted to the patent bar, with experience in both litigation and transactional law. Earlier in his career, Chris gained chemical engineering and business experience as the technical director and later general manager of Adhesives Technology Corporation. While an undergrad at the University of Washington, Chris served as president of the ASUW.

Jeanette Ennis

GAP Funding Manager

Email: jmgennis@uw.edu
Phone: 206-616-2848

Jeanette Ennis supports UW researchers pursuing grant money to commercialize their innovations, and helps C4C secure economic development grant opportunities. Ennis joined C4C in 2009 after more than 15 years of broad research experience as a scientist, entrepreneur, and manager. Her areas of expertise include pharmacology, biochemistry, molecular biology, tissue engineering, and medical devices. Ennis has worked with a variety of start-up companies as project manager, grant writer, and intellectual property manager, and held senior research positions at Cornell University and the UW Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Ennis earned a doctorate in medical and molecular pharmacology from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she trained with Louis Ignarro, Nobel Laureate in Physiology. She also holds a certificate in technical writing and editing from the UW Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering.

Jasbir (Jesse) Kindra

Director, Intellectual Property Management

Email: jkindra@uw.edu
Phone: 206-616-9658

Jesse joined the UW Center for Commercialization in November 2009. His responsibilities include planning and directing the varied functions of the IP Management unit. Jesse came to the UW from the National Institutes of Health, where he was a branch chief at the Office of Technology Transfer. He was involved in licensing and patenting biomedical innovations, improving the overall efficiency of the NIH technology transfer process, and initiating alliances with industry. Jesse has also worked as counsel at a product development company and a law firm.

Andrew Laughlin

Patent Portfolio Manager

Email: andrewll@uw.edu
Phone: 206-685-2063

Andrew Laughlin helps manage all aspects of patent strategy and patent preparation and prosecution for chemistry and life science related technologies. As part of the Center for Commercialization (C4C) team, Andrew works closely with UW researchers, C4C technology and licensing managers, and outside counsel to obtain solid patent protection for UW technologies. Prior to joining C4C, Andrew was a legal extern at Seattle Biomedical Research Institute assisting in patent prosecution, licensing, and regulatory compliance for clinical trials.

Andrew earned his B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry from the UW. Andrew also earned a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Washington State. His graduate research focused on polymer and quantum dot based photovoltaic materials.

Angela Loihl

Associate Director, Technology Licensing, Health Sciences

Email: aloihl@uw.edu
Phone: 206-897-1982

Angela joined UW Center for Commercialization in January 2005 and focuses on therapeutic and diagnostic technologies and research tools in the life sciences sector. Previously she worked for two years in the Technology Transfer Division of The Wellcome Trust in London, where she was responsible for technical and commercial due diligence in evaluating applications for translational funding. At the Trust, she also helped manage translational research projects, including implementing and monitoring patent prosecution, monitoring progress toward milestones, formulating and managing commercialization strategies, and attending board meetings of several start-up companies. Angela also spent two years as an investment executive at an early stage venture capital company in Cambridge, UK. Angela received her PhD in neuroscience and held a postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. She also earned an MBA in finance from the Nottingham University Business School.

Pat McCloskey

Senior Technology Manager, Life Sciences

Email: patmcc@uw.edu
Phone: 206-543-8037

Pat manages innovation in the life sciences for C4C with a focus on compounds, biologics and medical devices. Pat’s corporate work experience includes business develop positions with large pharma, speciality pharma, and start-up companies, where he has supported all major drug development functions from R & D to marketing. Accomplishments include strategic deal making in drug discovery, product launches in oncology, and in-licensing of both clinical and commercial stage medical devices.

In addition to corporate experience, Pat has been a technology manager carrying a broad portfolio of inventions for the University of California and the State University of New York. He also served as managing director of a successful academic spin-out company. In 2012, Pat returned to an academic setting here at UW, attracted by the diversity of university innovations and the entrepreneurial environment of Seattle. In addition to a passion for innovation, Pat enjoys hiking, back country camping, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.

Jennifer McCullar

Technology Manager, Life Sciences

Email: mccullaj@uw.edu
Phone: 206-543-6861

Jennifer McCullar currently manages a diverse portfolio of engineering and medical device technologies. She joined the UW Center for Commercialization in 2010 after completing a post-doctoral position at the University of Washington where she worked on identifying cell signaling pathways integral to regeneration in the inner ear. Jennifer earned her doctorate in Molecular and Cellular Biology in the Pharmacology Department at Oregon State University where she was a member of the Rho Chi Academic Honor Society in Pharmacy. She taught Molecular Biology workshops to transitioning scientists, high school teachers and graduate students and she holds a Masters in Animal Science. She loves the challenges and rewards of working at the Center for Commercialization and is committed to helping UW innovators commercialize their technologies.

Jessica Meyers

Patent Portfolio Manager

Email: jmmeyers@uw.edu
Phone: 206-685-6457

Jessica Meyers manages all aspects of patent prosecution for engineering-related technologies, including computer and medical device technologies. She works closely with UW researchers, Center for Commercialization (C4C) technology managers, and outside counsel to achieve strong patent protection for UW technologies. Prior to joining the C4C in December 2010, Jessica was a patent attorney at Perkins Coie LLP, focusing on computer, business method, and mechanical technologies. She was involved in both patent prosecution and litigation, including drafting and prosecuting patent applications and analyzing patents with regard to asset strength, validity, and infringement. Jessica earned her B.S in computer science from the University of Puget Sound and her J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center. She has also worked as an Internet Public Interest Opportunities Program Clerk for the Electronic Privacy Information Center and as a Legislative Intern for United States Senator Patty Murray, both in Washington, D.C.

Maren Ohaks

Associate Director, New Ventures Facility

Email: ohaks@uw.edu
Phone: 206-685-5591

In January 2012, the UW opened the C4C New Ventures Facility which offers UW start-ups a world-class environment in which to pursue translational research and development. Maren provides leadership, operational planning, compliance, management, and supervision of all activities of the C4C New Ventures Facility. Maren joined the C4C in August 2010 as an Industry Relations Officer, facilitating engagements between UW researchers and their counterparts in the life sciences industry.

Previously, as Director of Operations for Dharma Therapeutics, an American subsidiary of the Singaporean-based firm Transcu Group Ltd., Maren developed international commercialization strategies and opportunities to market the company. Maren was instrumental in developing a drug-device combination product that successfully completed Phase II Clinical Trials. Prior to working at Dharma, Maren deployed lean process improvements at WaMu and managed the installation of research facilities at Amgen. In addition, she has worked at UW conducting research in molecular biotechnology, teaching biology, and supporting inpatient units at UW Medical Center. Maren holds an MBA with an emphasis in management and technology, and a BS in cell and molecular biology with a minor in chemistry, both from the UW.

Todd North

Patent Portfolio Manager

Email: tenorth@uw.edu
Phone: 206-221-8286

Todd North manages all aspects of patent strategy and patent preparation and prosecution for life science related technologies. As part of the Center for Commercialization (C4C) team Todd works closely with UW researchers, C4C technology and licensing managers, and outside counsel to obtain solid patent protection for UW technologies. Prior to joining C4C, Todd spent five years working as a patent attorney focusing on assisting commercial and academic clients protect their life science, chemical, and medical device technologies. Todd earned a B.S. in Molecular Biology from Brigham Young University, an M.S. in Molecular Biology from the University of Oregon, and a J.D. from California Western School of Law. Todd has significant technical experience in the life science fields, having spent over five years researching molecular and cellular process in both academic and commercial research centers. Todd’s academic research involved a broad range of technologies aimed at investigating the molecular and genetic pathways of oxygen homeostasis.

Lisa Norton

Associate Director, Technology Licensing

Email: lnorton@uw.edu
Phone: 206-616-6918

Since joining the UW Center for Commercialization in May 2004, Lisa Norton has managed a portfolio of medical device and biomaterials technologies, with primary focus on ultrasound and medical imaging. She previously was an applications scientist at Combimatrix, a Washington biotech startup, working on new applications for DNA microarrays, bench science, robotics, product integration and performance, business development, training, materials science, and marketing. After earning a BS in biomedical engineering at Cornell University, she was a lab technician at the UW in the Department of Medical Genetics prior to pursuing graduate work. At the University of Virginia, Lisa earned a doctorate in cell biology and biotechnology and became interested in technology transfer while working with the university’s patent office to patent and license a technology she created. When not in her C4C office, Lisa enjoys the outdoors and traveling overseas.

Linden Rhoads

Vice Provost

Email: lrhoads@uw.edu
Phone: 206-543-0905

Linden Rhoads is the vice provost of the UW Center for Commercialization, the unit of the University that seeks to commercialize discoveries emerging from research conducted at the UW. Previously, Rhoads was a veteran executive in the Seattle high-tech community. She co-founded or served as an active director or interim CEO of several successful Seattle-based startups, including ChiliSoft, Singingfish.com, AdRelevance, GBI, and Nimble Technology.

A graduate of Smith College, Rhoads majored in geophysics. While working full time, she attended the UW School of Law, where she focused on intellectual property. Rhoads has been an active member of the UW community, serving on the board of the Washington Technology Center, the Dean’s Advisory Board at the School of Law, the steering committee for the school’s capital campaign, and the campaign committee for the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering.

Patrick Shelby

Director, New Ventures

Email: jpshelby@uw.edu
Phone: 206-685-4501

At the UW Center for Commercialization, Patrick Shelby concentrates on smart materials, photonics, nanotechnology, and cleantech. Prior to joining the Center for Commercialization team in 2007, Patrick was a founder of a UW-based cancer diagnostics startup company that studies cancer metastasis. Originally a transplant from the Midwest, he spent eight years as a project engineer in the aerospace industry. For his doctoral research in analytic chemistry at the UW, Patrick used microfluidics to study biological systems. Postdoctoral work focused on a systems biology approach to studying yeast cell differentiation. He also earned BS degrees at Purdue and Seattle University. Away from work, he spends time with his family and remodeling homes.

Scott Smith

Copyright & Trademark Manager

Email: ssmith73@uw.edu
Phone: 206-616-3272

Scott Smith manages all aspects of trademark and copyright prosecution and maintenance, including clearing third party rights, drafting permission agreements, drafting terms of service, resolving ownership and authorship issues, obtaining permission agreements, and related tasks. He works closely with UW researchers, the director of technology licensing, technology managers, and the agreements group to ensure proper protection for the UW’s intellectual property. Prior to joining the Center for Commercialization, Scott was an intellectual property attorney at various boutique intellectual property law firms, focusing on intellectual property prosecution and management. Scott earned a B.S. in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from UCLA, an M.S. in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Glasgow, and a J.D. from Loyola of Los Angeles Law School.

Fiona Wills

Director, Technology Licensing

Email: fwills@uw.edu
Phone: 206-685-2268

Fiona Wills has been with the UW Center for Commercialization since March 2003. Her responsibilities have included evaluating, patenting, and licensing technologies both to established biotechnology companies and to UW startups. Prior to joining C4C, Fiona worked several years for the business development department of Molecular Probes, engaged in both in-licensing and out-licensing activities for the research reagent and diagnostic markets. She has also worked in the health technology assessment field, providing health care funding agencies with evaluations of new and emerging medical technologies.

Gene Yelden

Senior Technology Manager

Email: gyelden@uw.edu
Phone: 206-221-7511

Gene joined the C4C office at UW in November 2012 as a senior technology manager mainly handling physical science, engineering and medical device technologies. Prior to joining C4C, Gene spent four and a half years with the Johns Hopkins Technology Transfer Office, most recently as the director of the group responsible for the physical sciences portfolio (medical devices, software, science and engineering). Gene has extensive experience in both academic and corporate/industrial environments, including international experience in Europe, Asia and Australia. Past roles have been as chief scientist, director of R&D and head of product development groups for both industrial and medical laser manufacturers. Gene earned his B.Sc. in physics from the University of British Columbia and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering (laser & plasma physics) from the University of Alberta. He also holds an M.B.A., with specialization in technology and innovation management.

University of Washington Center for Commercialization

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COMPLETE STAFF DIRECTORY

Office of the Vice Provost

Linden Rhoads

Myrna Duarte

Hope G. Friedlander

Elaine F. Tobin

Finance and Business Operations

David P. Brown

Sara Burmeister

Saul Clifasefi

Jennifer Davis

Dawn Friedland

Johnathon Giang

Robert Glass

Sarica Sampson

Debbie Woo

Technology Licensing

Fiona Wills

Munir Abdol

Deborah Alterman

Ryan Buckmaster

Valerie Carricaburu

Mike Clarke

Laura Dorsey

Gail Dykstra

Angela Loihl

Pat McCloskey

Jennifer S. McCullar

Lisa Norton

Gene Yelden

Strategic Initiatives

Fred B. Holt

New Ventures Unit

Patrick Shelby

Maren Ohaks

Merina R. Bigley

Jeanette G. Ennis

Chris Igielski

Intellectual Property (IP) Management

Jasbir (Jesse) Kindra

Jonathan Balise

Maryn Gerdes

Andrew Graham

Marianne Houghton

Christine Hurdle

Andrew Laughlin

Robert JM Lee

James Lowry

Jessica Meyers

Todd North

Daniel Ogami

Jennifer Owens

Ariadna A. Santander

Amy Simmonsen

Scott E. Smith

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