What do you find most rewarding, or most challenging, about your current position at Vanderbilt?
Working at Vanderbilt is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you are going to get (yourself into).  Things come at you so fast from so many directions – many of which arguably have little-to-nothing to do with technology commercialization. It is a lot of stress and a lot to keep on top off, but also as intellectually stimulating as hell. I love being a Swiss army knife for my institution. And I love working with a great team, which is definitely what we have at Vanderbilt.

What inspires you most about working in tech transfer?
The pay and the work-life balance. Not. Much of the true inspiration comes from that realization every few months – or few years, depending on how lucky you are – you get to witness a product you’ve had a hand in commercializing make a difference in people’s lives. I have experienced that a number of times now in my many, many years in the profession, and it is special each and every time.

What superpower would you choose and why?
My personal superpower would be the ability to eat cinnamon rolls all day, every day, without having to buy larger pants – the reason should be self-evident. My professional superpower would have to be the ability to predict what is important to leadership and why, so I can be in lock step with the changing tides. I am certain that ability would allow me to get off of my blood pressure meds.

What advice would you give an AUTM Member considering joining an AUTM Committee or the Board of Directors?
My advice is to find a subject you are passionate about. Your effort level and enjoyment level will be directly proportionate to your passion for the subject matter. I loved working on the Annual Meeting Committee long ago. And more recently contributing to the professional development course on negotiations - it gives me the chance to meet so many great AUTM Members and impact their growth in the industry. Volunteering with AUTM is so rewarding and you meet so many wonderful, interesting, passionate and intelligent people. 

What advice would you give someone considering a career in tech transfer?
TT is a great career, and gives you the skills to branch off into so many other fields (if you are not a “lifer” like me). Just make sure you are the right fit and that you understand what you are getting yourself into. Every day is a different journey from the prior day, and each day requires rapid mindset resetting as you bounce from one issue to the next – it keeps you on your toes, but is not for everyone. And at its base, tech transfer is a service function - so if you need to be right all the time (and prove faculty wrong), find something else to do with your time. 

What is your favorite memory from a past AUTM event?
There are a thousand answers to this question. I loved participating in the Texas Hold ‘em Tournaments we used to have. And presenting our Dirty Tricks negotiation workshop and How To Lose Your Job in 30 Words or Less communications workshop were great fun. Some remember the pithy PG-13 morning emails I would send to attendees each morning of the Annual Meeting (that weren’t always quite PG-13). But hands down my favorite memory was co-presenting an award with Steve Susalka. We walked on stage together at the Anaheim meeting to read our respective portions of the presentation speech. I started reading my portion, which was at the very top of the page – not realizing that Steve’s section was to be read first and was on a prior page (I never looked at the prior page!). All I could remember was the look of shock on his face as I began to talk. And I noticed that the AUTM staff was scrolling through the slides that were displayed on the big screen (searching desperately for the ones that I was presenting out of sequence), and all I could think was “Steve – relax.  And AUTM really should have had my slide queued up – how odd.”  I still can’t believe they let me come back after that. 

If you didn't work in technology transfer, what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I definitely would want to be a sports agent. Professional athlete contract negotiations are the wild west of negotiations, with salary cap considerations, voidable years, max contracts, guaranteed moneys, performance incentives. It would be a blast. Show me the money! I would love it, love it.

What professional achievement(s) are you especially proud of?
Working with so many colleagues and employees that have gone on to lead their own TTOs – seeing that is totally cool, and taking credit for it (though completely BS) is also fun.

What does AUTM Membership offer that you can't get from other organizations and how has it benefitted you?
Obviously a discount on the Annual Meeting registration fee (did you know AUTM provides no discount to AARP members!?!). But also access. Access to a world of impressively skilled, experienced and knowledgeable people. AUTM is a community in the truest sense. We have brought along members from industry collaborations, sponsored programs and general counsel to AUTM meetings, and they are always shocked at how friendly, engaging and collaborative AUTM members are.

What do you like most about workign with inventors and other tech transfer professionals?
Researchers are their own brand of brilliant, entertaining messes – and no two are alike. You have to love ‘em.  Even the ones that are the real prickly pears – we complain about them, but they keep us on our toes and keep things interesting. I may have a few in mind that are causing me to write this. Most researchers are kind, collaborative and are open advice and counsel. And we just want to them to do well and will go the extra mile to help. I think that is the essence of a tech transfer professional. We are always there when you need us – and sometimes even when you don’t.