Dr. Stephanie Miller joined Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in May 2013 to establish the university’s first technology transfer office, enabling university research results to become real-world products. In her current role as the Executive Director of Technology Transfer and Research Park Initiatives, Dr. Miller manages operations at the Embry-Riddle Research Park including the MicaPlex Technology Business Incubator. Since opening in 2017, the Research Park has helped 25 companies raise over $98M, create over 160 high wage jobs, and employ over 210 student interns. A 2021 analysis from the Washington Economics group showed $137M in total economic impact in the state of Florida, and 700 jobs overall. In 2019, she was named the Private Sector Young Professional of the Year and one of the community’s 40 Under Forty by the Dayton Beach News Journal. Dr. Miller serves on the advisory board of the Volusia County Business Incubator and recently joined the board of directors at StarterStudio. She previously held positions at the University of Virginia Licensing & Ventures Group, evaluating and marketing technologies primarily in the areas of medical diagnostics and therapeutics. Miller earned her B.S. in Biotechnology at the University of Delaware, her M.S. in Biological and Physical Sciences and Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics from the University of Virginia, and her M.B.A. from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
What experience do you have working on or with a strategic Board of Directors?
I currently serve on the board of two non-profits which align with aspects of my role at Embry-Riddle; the Volusia County/UCF Incubator and StarterStudio, an accelerator and seed investor.
Please include a brief description of your volunteer experiences within AUTM.
I've previously organized and moderated a panel at the Annual Meeting, and am a member of the IIA Committee.
Why do you want to join the AUTM Board of Directors?
My role at Embry-Riddle is the epitome of scope creep as I now manage not only Tech Transfer, but also our Research Park, MicaPlex Technology Business Incubator, and most recently am developing a student accelerator program. I would bring a diverse viewpoint of someone that not only has deep tech transfer knowledge, but also experience in most of the tangential activities that our offices are being asked to support, create, and/or lead.
Have you served in a volunteer leadership role for other organizations? If so, please explain.
I have served on organizing and judging committees for several organizations including LES, StartUp Weekend, the Space Foundation, and NASA's iTech program.
If elected by the Membership to the Board, would you consider serving as Chair? Please explain.
I don't think I can honestly answer this until I've served as a member of the board.
Please share personal strengths that you believe would be valuable to the AUTM Board and/or the strategic direction of the Association.
I've been told my strengths lie in strategic thinking and in being a connector. It is easy to get lost in the details of a program, initiative, or even license agreement and forget how it contributes to the overarching mission of the office and organization. Keeping the end goals in mind while being detail oriented is a balancing act that I continually embrace. Similarly, making quality connections between the right people and resources takes advantage of the collective strengths of my network to push all of us closer to our shared goals.
What special experience do you have in driving and implementing a strategic plan?
I am an active member of our university's strategic implementation team focused on research and innovation. For the past 7 years I've shaped the initiative's plan and played an integral part in carrying out its funded programs.
How do terms of the position (both responsibilities and time commitment) fit with your other responsibilities? Will you have any conflicts of commitment between your full-time position and your volunteer time on the AUTM Board?
I've spoken with present and past members of the AUTM board to understand the commitment required and taken that to my university's leadership. They fully support my candidacy and we foresee no conflicts of commitment.
AUTM is committed to addressing issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion both on the Board and on behalf of our Members. Briefly describe how your experiences can contribute to the Association’s growth in this area.
As I mentioned above, diversity of thought and experience are things that I will bring to the board. My current role is at a small private engineering and aviation-focused university, with a micro-tech transfer office. The needs and tactics here can diverge significantly from our conventional wisdom and practices. I want to make sure that all viewpoints are heard and that the association better serves all of its members.
Advocacy for the innovation ecosystem is something AUTM has promoted recently. How do you think AUTM should continue to be involved?
Advocacy is key to our profession and the innovation ecosystems that we serve. Effectively telling our collective success stories to government, funders, investors, innovators, stakeholders, and community members increases our visibility, value and immersion into our innovation ecosystems.
Is there anything else you would like AUTM Members to know about you before they vote?
Isn't all of that enough?! I feel like I'm writing a college entrance essay!