What is your favorite food and why? 
Mac and cheese. And not the box kind either—sorry, “cheese product” is NOT cheese!

What’s the best advice you ever received?
Don’t assume ill intent. People are generally doing the best they can with the information that they have. That makes it easier to give grace and see other perspectives when conflict arises.

What’s something you’re working on right now that really excites you? 
My husband and I are finishing up building our woodworking workshop. We’ve been using a laser cutter to cut and engrave wood, but we want to learn more about woodworking. I picked up a lathe at an estate sale recently and can’t wait to restore it and learn to use it!

How did you get involved in technology transfer? 
In 2009, like many others, I found myself facing unemployment and uncertain prospects. It was during this time that I came across an entry-level position with North Carolina State University's Office of Technology Transfer (now known as the Office of Research Commercialization). The position specifically appealed to me because it involved data entry and working with databases, which aligned perfectly with my love for data.

Interestingly enough, during my interview, I expressed my enthusiasm for data by saying that "data rocks!" Little did I know that this seemingly offhand remark would land me the job (or so I’ve been told by my boss).

I discovered a passion for the office, the intricacies of technology transfer, and the broader industry itself. Fast forward 13 years, and here I am, at a different university, but still deeply in love with the work that I do. It feels like a fluke that brought me here, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have stumbled upon tech transfer.

You have a background in library and information science. How has that been helpful for your work in tech transfer? 
When I initially pursued my MLIS degree, I had dreams of becoming a librarian. However, once I began working in technology transfer, I quickly realized how much I enjoyed information science and switched my focus from books to data.

In my role as an Operations Director, one of my primary responsibilities is ensuring that we effectively track and manage meaningful data. This involves not only utilizing our IP management system but also organizing and storing data in a logical and efficient manner. My degree has provided me with valuable insights into information management, allowing me to develop strategies for categorizing and storing data effectively. This enables us to make informed decisions, identify trends, and ultimately optimize our processes.

You’ve also done voiceover work. What does that involve?
It’s not as glamorous as it sounds. My VO work is mostly just me sitting alone in my home studio and talking into a microphone. I’m not the kind of actor who does funny voices or really great character impressions. I focus more on explainer videos or tutorials. Though I did once do a commercial for the North Dakota Corn Growers Association!

What do you like most about working with inventors and other tech transfer professionals?
I love working with individuals who are passionate about innovation and pushing the boundaries of technology. The creativity and ingenuity that inventors bring to the table is inspiring, and it fuels my enthusiasm for working in tech transfer.

Working with other tech transfer professionals around the world offers an invaluable exchange of knowledge, expertise and best practices within the tech transfer community. It fosters a sense of camaraderie and enables us to collectively overcome challenges and drive innovation forward.

What does AUTM Membership have to offer that you can’t get from other organizations?
One of the standout features of AUTM is its emphasis on operations and administrative staff. AUTM recognizes the crucial role that these professionals play in the technology transfer process. This recognition is reflected in the resources, support, and networking opportunities AUTM provides that are specifically tailored to meet the needs of operations and administrative staff. What used to be a single two-day course has evolved into a dedicated track at the Annual Meeting, several online Special Interest Groups and a full suite of courses at AUTM University. That doesn’t mean we’ve reached the finish line, but it’s come a long way over the last several years.

This is your first year as a member of the Licensing Survey Committee. What’s been the most rewarding part of that experience?
Seeing other people get excited over spreadsheets.

The Licensing Survey data will be available soon. Without giving too much away, what’s something that surprised you about this year’s data? 
How resilient we are in this industry. The world’s still recovering from a pandemic, but there continues to be a lot of amazing research and innovation happening in institutions across the nation.