Valuable Opportunities for Research Programs
This informal seminar series provides SSOE faculty with useful information or resources to improve implementation, management, funding or translation of their research programs. Topics will cover a wide variety of areas under this general theme, and suggestions for new topics are more than welcome (and should be sent to the Associate Dean for Research's office at ehv3@pitt.edu).
All lectures will be in Benedum 102 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm. Registration is required for lunch.
**Please check back often for new details about upcoming sessions!
Cancellations and Special Requests
If you would like to cancel an existing registration or if you have any special dietary needs, please notify Emily H. VonderPorten at ehv3@pitt.edu.
Upcoming Events
Introduction to the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Powering Invention, Igniting Progress
Tuesday, February 25th at 12pm in 102 BEH
We are pleased to share that our next SSOE Valuable Opportunities for Research Programs Lunch & Learn session will be Tuesday, February 25th at 12pm in 102 BEH. The presentation is titled ‘Introduction to the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Powering Invention, Igniting Progress.’ As the innovation economy becomes more and more important, this is a timely topic and will be useful for those who are veteran innovators to those who are interested in learning how to enter this rewarding space.
If you would like to attend the session and receive a lunch, please contact Rose Gerber (rog128@pitt.edu) or Emily Huffman VonderPorten (ehv3@pitt.edu) directly. Please let them know of any dietary restrictions. Please RSVP by noon on Friday, February 21st in order to have a lunch provided.
The Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Pittsburgh inspires, educates and enables others to make an impact on society, improve the regional economy and transform their own careers through startup creation and support for innovation and commercialization.
The presentation will an include an overview of OIE and ways that faculty can engage with the team, a discussion of programming and funding opportunities as well as detailed information about how faculty can best protect your innovations.
Speakers
Janice L. Panza PhD, Senior Licensing Manager, Physical Sciences: Janice L. Panza is a Technology Licensing Manager at the Innovation Institute at the University of Pittsburgh. Her primary responsibilities involve the assessment, protection, management, and commercialization of the intellectual property generated by University of Pittsburgh researchers in the fields of medical device technology, Chemistry, and Engineering. She received a B.S. degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from the Pennsylvania State University and B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. Previously, she was a Principal Materials Engineer at URS Corporation where she managed projects within the Research University Agreement (RUA), a collaboration between URS, the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), and five local universities (Pitt, CMU, PSU, VT, and WVU). The research projects focused on biofuels from algae, carbon management, and energy-water nexus. Her other work experience included patent law, clinical biomedical engineering, and digital pathology, as well as being adjunct teaching faculty in the departments of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh.
Nicole Oshurak, Director, Inventor Engagement, Outreach & Marketing: With over 15 years of experience in the life sciences, Nicole Oshurak serves as the Director of Inventor Engagement, Outreach, and Marketing in the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, where she collaborates with faculty to uncover innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship opportunities within their research.
Prior to joining Pitt, Nicole served as Vice President of State Policy and Public Affairs at Life Sciences PA (LSPA), Pennsylvania’s life sciences trade association. There she led state policy and advocacy efforts to improve the business climate for life science companies and facilitate the delivery of pioneering diagnostics, therapeutics, and medical devices to patients across the Commonwealth. Before joining LSPA, Nicole was responsible for advocacy and the building of strategic partnerships at Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI), the largest research institute in the United States dedicated to women’s and reproductive health. Nicole’s efforts focused on industry relationships, corporate-sponsored research, technology transfer, and long-term partnerships to support scientific and translational research.