What gets you out of bed each morning? 
The one aspect I have loved about being a tech transfer professional is how each day at work is different, due to the type of challenges thrown at me. What gets me out of bed each morning is the excitement of figuring out a new solution to my ‘challenge of the day’ and learning from it!

What’s the best item under $100 that you’ve bought in the past few years? 
A small bouquet of red roses (worth $25) that I offered to propose to my (then-) girlfriend on Valentine’s Day! We’ve been happily married since … and going strong!
 
What are a few movies you recommend everyone should watch?
My favorite picks: Jurassic Park; Back to The Future, The Sixth Sense, The Little Rascals, Jungle Book and Moana. Such movies bring out the child in me.

We understand you are a singer. Tell us more: how you got started, what singing means to you, what you sing, performing and recording, etc.
Singing has been my passion, and becoming an Indian classical musician had been my dream and ambition since I was a child. Though destiny wouldn’t allow me to make it my full-time profession, I’ve never lost sight of my interest. Along with my professional career, I have pursued music on the side, and have been blessed with receiving numerous accolades and honors for my musical performances around the world.
 
In the last decade, I’ve participated in more than 150 stage shows at national and international venues, performed on major TV & radio channels in India, and have released several music and video albums. Also co-founded a US-based Indian cultural group, named ‘Nobina’ in 2014, with a mission to popularize Indian Music & Dance in North America.
 
During the pandemic, I’ve hosted a series of interactive musical shows on virtual platforms to raise funds for several welfare organizations supporting the needy. A collection of some of my albums can be found here. The overall experience of being affiliated with music on the side has been humbling!
 
What’s the best advice for a college student about to graduate and enter the professional world? Bonus: what’s some advice they should ignore? 
The first steps of entering into the professional ‘real’ world is tough. I would ask students to enter with a mindset of embracing their surroundings and learning from the more experienced. Be diligent, hardworking, honest, forthright and creative. Do not adapt to taking easier ways to achieve your goals, because there really is no short-cut to success.
 
What drew you to work at the University of Delaware? 
UD’s location, its vibrant culture for innovation & research, world-class education, and an extremely strong alumni community were my key attractant. The origin of the innovative ‘touch-screen’ technology, President Joe Biden’s affiliation, and the University’s proximity to some of the large cities like Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C., were a big plus.
 
What’s something that has surprised you about your chosen career path? 
Academic tech transfer has always intrigued me for how it drives the innovation economy for the country. The numbers depicted in the AUTM Infographic chart constantly surprise me, and I feel humbled to be a small contributor to its mission.
 
What do you love about being a Director on AUTM’s Board?
I have been a Member of AUTM for nearly 15 years now and enjoy being part of the global tech transfer community. Being elected as an AUTM Board Member has been specially rewarding so far, as I get the opportunity to serve for its Members more closely and assist in the strategic decision-making for the organization to drive its mission forward. A wonderful and satisfying experience, to say the least!

What are you looking forward to most about the upcoming Annual Meeting in New Orleans?
I look forward to meeting all my friends, peers and colleagues face-to-face, in what will hopefully be one of the largest gathering of tech-transfer pros in a while! I am especially excited to meet Pelican Bill, our 2022 Annual Meeting mascot!