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About Technology Commercialization

Wayne State Technology Commercialization (TC) is responsible for the identification, protection, marketing and licensing of intellectual property (e.g., patents, unique biological or other materials, and copyrights) developed by WSU faculty. In addition, TC reviews and negotiates material transfer, non-disclosure and sponsored research agreements when they relate directly to WSU inventions. The goal of TC is to effectively manage and constantly improve technology transfer services at Wayne State University to provide the highest possible level and quality of assistance to all WSU researchers and our industry partners thereby maximizing the availability of new technology to society. TC handles all aspects of the invention development process including the encouragement, assessment, protection and licensing of inventions; the post-licensing oversight of agreement compliance; distribution of royalties and fees; and record keeping for all aspects of WSU intellectual property technology transfer.

 

Picture forthcoming	Lakisha Burns, Administrative Assistant
	Anne C. Di Sante Director, Technology Transfer Office Ms. DiSante (MBA and MS, University of Michigan) is experienced in all aspects of academic based technology transfer, having been in the field since 1987. Ms. DiSante serves on the Executive Committee for the Michigan Universities Commercialization Initiative, has been active with AUTM, and is a member of LES. Prior to joining WSU in 1998, she held licensing positions at the University of Michigan.
	Judy M. Johncox Interim Associate Vice President for Research and Technology Commercialization Ms. Johncox (M.A., Western Michigan University, B.A., Eastern Michigan University) has over 15 years experience in research administration, technology transfer and business development. Ms. Johncox facilitates the creation of start-up companies based on WSU technology. She was previously Vice President for Indiana University's Advanced Research and Technology Institute, and Assistant Vice Chancellor for Intellectual Property Management at the University of Houston.
	Randy Ramharack Technology Licensing Manager Dr. Ramharack (Ph.D., Queen’s University) has extensive experience in pharmaceutical research and development, as evidenced by issued patents and peer-reviewed journal publications. In 2007, he joined WSU where he markets and licenses life science and medical technologies. Dr. Ramharack spent over 16 years with Warner-Lambert Co./Parke- Davis Pharmaceutical Research and Pfizer Inc. as a senior research scientist and manager, leading global multidisciplinary new drug target identification and drug discovery/research teams.
Picture forthcoming	Hattie Rogers Operations Administrator
	Tammy Samuels Program Specialist Ms. Samuels (BA, Wayne State University) assists with the day-to-day administrative activities of Technology Commercialization. She coordinates the meetings of the Administrative Patent Committee (APC), manages the Technology Commercialization website and provides administrative support to the Technology Commercialization staff.
	Lori Simoes Technology Licensing Manager Ms. Simoes (MS, Wayne State University, BS, Michigan State University) markets and licenses WSU engineering and physical sciences inventions. She has extensive corporate experience at Fortune 500 companies in product innovation, market validation, new product development, contract negotiation and advanced technology commercialization. Prior to joining WSU in 2007, she was Associate Sales Director of Advanced Technology at Visteon Corp. and Product Marketing Manager at Avery Dennison’s Automotive Division.
	Eric Stief Director, Venture Development  Mr. Stief (BS, Michigan State University, MBA, University of Michigan) facilitates the creation of start-up companies based on WSU technology and the enhancement of the entrepreneurial community on campus, interfacing with faculty, students, outside entrepreneurs and investors. He has worked in corporate and academic technology-based business development since 1994. His areas of focus have included research and development, mergers and acquisitions and new product and venture development. He was previously Licensing Manager in Delphi Corporation's Commercialization and Licensing group, Licensing Manager for Technology Transfer at Wayne State University, a Business Planner for the FMC Corporation, and a researcher for the Kellogg Company in Battle Creek, MI. He is a Certified Licensing Professional and a member of the Association of University Technology Managers.
	Christine Willis Market Research Analyst Ms. Willis (BS, Oakland University) has extensive experience in providing marketing research and analysis for a wide variety of advanced technology products and services. Prior to joining Wayne State University, she worked at two Fortune 100 companies (Visteon Corp. and EDS) in various marketing research and management roles, providing strategic direction and value analysis for advanced technologies in engineering and information technology.