Meet the Team
Greetings!
Meet the dedicated and talented group of professionals in Emory's Technology Transfer Office. We look forward to working with you! Not sure who to contact? Call us at 404-727-2211 or contact someone below.
Leadership
Todd Sherer
Assoc. VP for Research, Executive Director
Contact Information
Email: ttshere@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-5550
Education
- Doctor, Toxicology and Molecular Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Biography
Todd is the Associate Vice President of Research and Executive Director for the office. He leads the team who focus on creating value from intellectual property developed by Emory researchers. Todd has worked extensively with researchers to translate their promising scientific and medical discoveries into new products that benefit society. This crucial activity helps assure that research is translated into practical applications, including new life-saving medical products that benefit the public who helped to fund it. He has helped pioneer new funding models to support the translation of research and worked globally to identify, test, and implement best practices to increase the impact of academic technology commercialization. Todd has also worked with colleagues to affect federal policy and guidelines that address new intellectual property flowing from federally funded research. Todd joined Emory OTT in 2003.
Todd has held similar roles at Oregon Health & Science University, the University of Oregon, and Washington State University. He is an active member in AUTM, having been Past President (now called Chair), a board member, and committee member. Todd is a board member for Southeast Life Sciences (previously SEBIO) and a member of COGR’s Research Security & Intellectual Property Committee. Todd is a Registered Patent Agent (RPA) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. He is also a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP™) and a Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP™). Todd’s hometown is Ione, Oregon.
Fun Facts
- My favorite movie is? Easy – Avatar: The Way of Water.
- What do you like most about working with inventors and other technology transfer professionals? The chance to build meaningful relationships and accomplish great things together.
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ____. Spend time with my twin boys.
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Lyshandra Bennett
Operations Director
Contact Information
Email: lyshandra.bennett@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-3857
Education
- Master of Business Administration, Marketing, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA
- Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Biography
Lyshandra is the OTT’s Operations Director and a member of the leadership team. She is responsible for assisting the Executive Director and team leaders in all operational activities and manages the finance and marketing teams. Key activities include business process, data analysis and reporting, finances, marketing and social media, and information technology. Lyshandra joined the office in 2025.
With 20 years of experience at Georgia State University, Lyshandra has held various roles spanning operations, financial management, research administration, and entrepreneurship & innovation. Her expertise lies in optimizing institutional processes, advancing strategic initiatives, and collaborating with key stakeholders to strengthen outcomes. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lyshandra has actively contributed to institutional governance, serving on the Georgia State University Senate, Staff Council, Robinson Staff Engagement Committee, and the College of Arts & Sciences Staff Executive Committee. She is passionate about fostering innovation and operational excellence. Lyshandra’s hometown is Jackson, MS.
Fun Facts
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? Maps/Google Maps, Camera, Messages
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ___. Watch movies, plan something fun with my family, or take a vacation.
- My favorite movie is ___.Bad Boys (one of many)
You can find me on .
Licensing
Mark Coburn
Director, Licensing
Contact Information
Email: mcoburn@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 712-4758
Education
- Masters of Science, Technology Manager, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA
- Bachelor of Science, Zoology, Miami University, Oxford, OH
Biography
Mark is the Director, Licensing and a member of the leadership team. He manages and mentors licensing team in matters of intellectual property evaluation, protection, and licensing. He is also responsible for case management for Emory intellectual property. Case management involves evaluating and licensing inventions made by faculty. Mark joined the office in 2022.
Mark has gained a multitude of experiences in technology transfer at five public and private R1-level research institutions during his career. As a co-principal investigator of the Upstate Alliance for Innovation, he facilitated the University of Rochester and their partner universities in their efforts as an early recipient of an NSF Partnerships for Innovation award. He has been active in the local innovation ecosystems at the Monterey Bay Education, Science and Technology Center (California), Digital Rochester (New York), and as a board member of the Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council (Virginia). While he was at the University of Rochester, he was a lecturer in Technology Management at the Simon Business School and the School of Medicine’s Department of Community and Preventive Medicine Technology Transfer Practicum for new residents. Mark’s hometown is New Carrollton, Maryland.
Fun Facts
- What’s something that’s surprised you about the tech transfer profession? The feeling of personal satisfaction that comes from licensing technologies that make a significant difference in people’s lives, including my own. My daughter’s life was saved when she was a newborn by technology developed at the University of Rochester. I was working in tech transfer at Rochester at the time.
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? WeatherBug (I have a passion for everything weather-related), Garmin Connect (for my smartwatch), and Prime Video.
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ___. Cultivate my garden, hike, and explore my natural surroundings.
You can find me on .
Rajsekhar Guddneppanavar
Assistant Director, Licensing
Contact Information
Email: rguddne@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 712-1185
Education
- Doctor, Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India
- Master of Science, Chemistry, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga, India
Biography
Raj is the Assistant Director, Licensing in the office and a member of the leadership team. He is responsible for case management for Emory intellectual property, which involves evaluating and licensing inventions made by faculty. Specific activities include identifying technologies with commercial applications; evaluating the commercial potential of inventions; identifying potential licensees; and drafting and negotiating license agreements and other types of agreements such as interinstitutional and nondisclosure agreements. Additionally, Raj is also responsible for managing the contracts team. This team is responsible for unfunded contracts such as Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Data Use/Transfer Agreements (DUA/DTA), Collaborative Research Agreements (CRAs), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (CDA, RDA, NDA). Raj joined the office in 2014 as a Contract Specialist himself before being promoted to a Licensing Associate and then to an Assistant Director.
Before joining the office, Raj completed internships with Wake Forest Innovations at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and NC State University’s Office of Technology Transfer. He has postdoctoral and industrial research experience in synthetic organic chemistry and medicinal chemistry. He worked on design, synthesis, and development of novel anti-cancer molecules that target kinases, microtubules, and DNA. He also worked on GlyT1 inhibitors to treat schizophrenia. He has 16 publications in peer-reviewed journals and has presented research at national, international, and regional meetings. Raj’s hometown is Koppal, India.
Fun Facts
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? WhatsApp, Google Maps, and Lyft/Uber
- What do you like most about working with inventors and other technology transfer professionals? I get to learn (i) new science, (ii) negotiation skills, and (iii) making business deals.
- My favorite movie is___. Cast Away
You can find me on .
Catherine Murari-Kanti
Senior Licensing Associate
Contact Information
Email: cmurari@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-0057
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy, Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
- Masters of Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska
- Bachelors of Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India
Biography
Catherine is a Licensing Associate and is responsible for case management for Emory intellectual property. Case management involves evaluating and licensing inventions made by faculty. Specific activities include identifying technologies with commercial applications; evaluating the commercial potential of inventions; identifying potential licensees; and drafting and negotiating license agreements and other types of agreements such as interinstitutional and nondisclosure agreements. She also oversees the licensing track for students and interns. Catherine joined the office in 2021.
Before her time at Emory, Catherine spent five years as a Licensing Specialist at UNeMed, the technology transfer office for the University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebraska Omaha. She managed a mixed portfolio of medical devices, software, research tools, therapeutics, and related life science inventions. While earning her doctorate, Catherine conducted research centered on elucidating the various epigenetic pathways in colorectal and pancreatic cancer. Catherine’s hometown is Mumbai, India.
Fun Facts
- What’s something that’s surprised you about the tech transfer profession? I love how diverse this profession is – there is a nice mix of science, business, and law along with a healthy dose of communication skills, relationship management, leadership, and conflict resolution. Each day is different, and I love that!
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? The kids’ school app; Google Maps (because I would be lost without it); and Spotify (music and podcasts are life!).
- What do you like most about working with inventors and other tech transfer professionals? I enjoy inventors’ energy and passion for the work they’re doing. It revs me up. And it’s great working with TT professionals because we don’t work in silos; we work with each other for a common goal.
You can find me on .
Sat Balachander
Licensing Associate
Contact Information
Email: sbalac5@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-4968
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy, Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
- Master of Science, Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California
- Bachelor of Technology, Biotechnology, SASTRA University, Tamil Nadu, India
Biography
Sat is a Licensing Associate and is responsible for case management for Emory intellectual property. Case management involves evaluating and licensing inventions made by faculty. Specific activities include identifying technologies with commercial applications; evaluating the commercial potential of inventions; identifying potential licensees; and drafting and negotiating license agreements and other types of agreements such as interinstitutional and nondisclosure agreements. Sat joined the office in 2021.
Prior to joining Emory, Sat was a Licensing Associate at the Harbert Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. There, he managed a wide portfolio of technologies including software, devices, and life science inventions. During Sat’s education, his research focused on mapping ribonucleotides in DNA and studying the factors responsible for targeting ribonucleotides. Sat’s hometown is Madras, India.
Fun Facts
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? News app, Podcast, Apple Music.
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ___. Take a cold shower.
- What do you like most about working with inventors and other tech transfer professionals? All the interesting conversations I have with them, starting from their background to what led them to their current position to their interests and passion.
You can find me on .
Shweta Ghai
Licensing Associate
Contact Information
Email: shweta.ghai@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-2939
Education
- Doctor of Philosophy, Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Assam, India
- Bachelor of Technology, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Kurukshetra University, Haryana, India
Biography
Shweta is a Licensing Associate and is responsible for case management for Emory intellectual property. Case management involves evaluating and licensing inventions made by faculty. Specific activities include identifying technologies with commercial applications; evaluating the commercial potential of inventions; identifying potential licensees; and drafting and negotiating license agreements and other types of agreements such as interinstitutional and nondisclosure agreements. Shweta was an OTT Licensing Intern in 2018, and then joined full-time as a Licensing Associate in 2022.
Prior to this role, Shweta was a Technology Transfer Consultant for the Georgia State University’s Office of Technology Licensing & Commercialization. After receiving her doctorate, in which she specialized in speech and natural language processing, Shweta contributed over six years to scientific research and innovation as a postdoc and research faculty at Emory University. Her inter-disciplinary research focused on investigating social communication deficits in autism and developing new voice-based quantitative biomarkers for early detection of autism in infants and toddlers. She has 13 publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings and has presented research at 12 national and international meetings. Shweta’s hometown is Delhi, India.
Fun Facts
- What’s something that’s surprised you about the tech transfer profession? It brings excitement, joy, and satisfaction not only on specific days of achievements and milestones, but on every single day of work. It’s because of the unique challenges and the never-ending learning opportunities that I come across on daily basis.
- My favorite movie is___. A Bollywood movie called 3 Idiots – highly recommend!
- What career advice would you give your younger self? Make your passion your career so your work becomes an energizer for you instead of drainer. But at the same time, be mindful of the fact that balance is the key for everything.
You can find me on .
David Mudd
Licensing Associate
Contact Information
Email: david.mudd@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-3890
Education
- Doctor, Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Saginaw Valley State University, University Center, Michigan
Biography
David is a Licensing Associate and is responsible for case management for Emory intellectual property. Case management involves evaluating and licensing inventions made by faculty. Specific activities include identifying technologies with commercial applications; evaluating the commercial potential of inventions; identifying potential licensees; and drafting and negotiating license agreements and other types of agreements such as interinstitutional and nondisclosure agreements. David joined the office in 2020 as a Contract Specialist before being promoted to a Licensing Associate.
David’s background is in neuroscience: He previously conducted research mapping and understanding the oscillatory signatures of cortical ensembles and afferent projections to the visual cortex, with a focus on the underlying inhibitory circuits. Before joining OTT, David interned with both the patent and licensing teams at Emory, as well as the licensing team at Georgia State University over the course of a year. While earning his doctorate, David studied the development of the visual system and the contributions of early visual experiences on the maturation of inhibitory neural circuits. David’s hometown is Midland, Michigan.
Fun Facts
- What’s something that’s surprised you about the tech transfer profession? The jack-of-all-trades nature of the work we do. We get to experience an endless diversity of technology to review, learn significant elements of patent prosecution, marketing, deal-making, startup creation, regulatory pathways, etc.
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ___. Cook a meal I’ve been looking forward to.
- What do you like most about working with inventors and other tech transfer professionals? Learning about new and interesting ways that university research discoveries can be translated into products or solutions for real world problems.
You can find me on .
Kaitlyn Taylor
Licensing Associate
Contracting
Stephanie Casino
Contract Specialist
Contact Information
Email: scasino@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 251-1222
Education
- Juris Doctor, Law, UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law, Concord, NH
- Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
Biography
Stephanie is a Contract Specialist in the office and is responsible for negotiating and executing unfunded contracts. She manages, negotiates, and executes unfunded research related contracts such as Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Data Use/Transfer Agreements (DUA/DTA), Collaborative Research Agreements (CRAs), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (CDA, RDA, NDA). Stephanie joined the office in 2024.
A recent law school graduate, Stephanie specializes in intellectual property law. Her diverse legal experience includes working at a boutique IP law firm, UNH’s Franklin Pierce School of Law IP and Transaction Clinic, and at the Dartmouth Technology Transfer Office. During law school, Stephanie was the Lead Articles Editor for IDEA: The Law Review of the Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property. During her undergraduate education, she conducted research in the neuroscience and chemistry departments and co-authored three peer reviewed publications. Stephanie is a co-chair of the Young Lawyers Committee of the New York Intellectual Property Law Association (NYIPLA) and is admitted to the New York State Bar. Stephanie’s hometown is Brooklyn, New York.
Fun Facts
- What do you like most about working with inventors and other TT professionals? Collaborating with folks from a wide range of diverse backgrounds. Tech transfer brings together individuals with innovative and interdisciplinary expertise, creating an environment where I consistently have opportunities to learn something new from my colleagues.
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ____. Curl up with a good book or go on a long walk around the neighborhood with my hound dog.
- My favorite movie is ____. Back to the Future
You can find me on .
Nikita Gupta
Contract Specialist
Contact Information
Email: ngupt41@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-8508
Education
- Doctorate, Neuroscience, University of Texas, Medical Branch
- Bachelor of Science, Neuroscience, Georgia State University
Biography
Nikita is a Contract Specialist in the office and is responsible for negotiating and executing unfunded contracts. She manages, negotiates, and executes unfunded research related contracts such as Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Data Use/Transfer Agreements (DUA/DTA), Collaborative Research Agreements (CRAs), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (CDA, RDA, NDA). Nikita joined the office in 2024.
Nikita’s journey into tech transfer began during her experience with the University of Illinois Office of Technology Management as a Technology Commercialization Post Doctoral Fellow. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience from Georgia State University, as well as a Doctorate in Neuroscience from the University of Texas, Medical Branch. Nikita is from Georgia.
Fun Facts
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? One mobile game, YouTube, and Apple News.
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ____. Sit in peace or play a video game.
- My favorite movie is ____. Unfrosted
You can find me on .
Jakob Habib
Contract Specialist
Contact Information
Email: jghabib@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 712-1368
Education
- Doctorate, Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis, Emory University
- Bachelor of Science, Biology, Emory University
Biography
Jakob is a Contract Specialist in the office and is responsible for negotiating and executing unfunded contracts. He manages, negotiates, and executes unfunded research related contracts such as Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Data Use/Transfer Agreements (DUA/DTA), Collaborative Research Agreements (CRAs), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (CDA, RDA, NDA). Jakob joined the office in 2025.
Jakob’s scientific career has been centered on translational research, bridging the gap between scientific discovery and real-world application. With experience in immunotherapy, HIV, and transplantation, he developed a strong interest in technology transfer as a way to help researchers advance their work on a broader scale. While completing his postdoctoral training at Emory’s Transplant Center, Jakob interned at Emory’s Office of Technology Transfer, gaining hands-on experience in evaluating technologies, assessing patentability, and facilitating research agreements. Jakob's hometown is Tallahassee, FL.
Fun Facts
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? Reddit, Spotify, New York Times Crossword.
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ____. Play outside with my dog Butter Bean.
- My favorite movie is ____. Star Wars IV: A New Hope
You can find me on .
Freda Stelzer
Contract Specialist
Contact Information
Email: fstelze@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-1969
Education
- Juris Doctor, Law, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
- Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Biography
Freda is a Contract Specialist in the office. She is responsible for negotiating and executing unfunded contracts. She manages, negotiates, and executes unfunded research related contracts such as Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), Data Use/Transfer Agreements (DUA/DTA), Collaborative Research Agreements (CRAs), and Non-Disclosure Agreements (CDA, RDA, NDA). Freda joined the office in 2020.
Prior to joining Emory OTT, Freda spent more than a decade managing contracts at the University of Iowa Research Foundation in Iowa City, Iowa and then joined the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. Freda began her career in technology transfer as a Paralegal/Licensing Associate at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Freda is very interested in art, architecture and photography and enjoyed working for a short time as an Arts Administrator at the Saint Louis Art Museum prior to attending law school. Freda’s hometown is Mobile, Alabama.
Fun Facts
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? Messenger, Calendar, and Slack.
- What do you like most about working with inventors and other tech transfer professionals? That everyone loves what they’re doing and are engaged with the work, whether it be at the bench or in the TTO.
- My favorite movie is ____. The Shawshank Redemption
You can find me on .
Enid Sullivan
Assistant Contract Specialist
Faculty and Start-up Services
Patrick Reynolds
Director, Faculty and Start-up Services
Contact Information
Email: pjreyno@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-7241
Education
- Doctor, Cancer Biology, University of NOrth Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
- Bachelor in Arts, Molecular Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO
Biography
Patrick is the Director of Faculty and Start-up Services and a member of the leadership team. He works with faculty and entrepreneurs to help them navigate the waters of starting a company to commercialize their technologies and obtain early-stage funding. He also assists start-ups by helping to identify experts and management for Emory start-ups. Patrick works closely with the Georgia Research Alliance (GRA), Biolocity, angel investors, and venture capital firms in his work supporting Emory start-ups. Patrick returned to the office in 2022 after previously having been the Assistant Director, Faculty and Start-Up Services as well as an intern in the office.
Patrick was previously the University Program Director for the National Security Innovation Network (a Department of Defense program office), where his role focused on finding the best technologies, talent, and startups across the state of Georgia to solve national security problems for the DoD. He also worked as a licensing associate for the University of Tennessee Research Foundation. Patrick’s doctoral research focused on defects in ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation. He is an active member in AUTM serving on the Public Policy committee, and previously served as the Chair of the Better World Project Committee. Patrick’s hometown is San Diego, California.
Fun Facts
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ____. Grab a guitar.
- My favorite movie is ___. Willow
- What career advice would you give your younger self? Remember to sleep!
You can find me on .
Vacant
Assistant Director, Faculty and Start-up Services
Marketing
Asher Alt
Marketing Specialist
Contact Information
Email: aalt@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 544-9004
Education
- Bachelor of Journalism, Strategic Communication, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
- Bachelor of Arts, Theatre Performance, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Biography
Asher is a Marketing Specialist in office and is responsible for the marketing and branding in the office as well as technology marketing. She works closely with leadership and takes the lead for marketing and branding of the office. Specific activities include social media strategy, infographics, annual reports, infographics, blog posts, and featured innovations. Asher joined the office in 2023.
Prior to this position, she worked as a writer, editor, and content creator at several advertising agencies across the country and as a freelancer. Asher has written for national banks and local mom-and-pop shops, and she has extensive experience in social media and omnichannel marketing. Asher’s hometown is High Point, North Carolina.
Fun Facts
- What’s something that’s surprised you about the tech transfer profession? Just how essential tech transfer is to getting life-changing and life-saving products into the hands of those who need them.
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? Google Maps, Spotify, and the camera app.
- What career advice would you give your younger self? Say yes to every opportunity – even if it doesn’t follow what you think your path should look like.
You can find me on .
Jessica Beach
Marketing Specialist
Contact Information
Email: jbeach4@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-1899
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Advertising, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Biography
Jess is a Marketing Specialist in the office and is responsible for technology marketing as well as general marketing and branding for the office. She works closely with the licensing team and takes the lead for technology marketing. Specific activities include ensuring that nonconfidential technology summaries are prepared and posted as well as developing and implementing specific marketing strategies for each technology. Jess participates in building industry relationships by identifying potential partners, participating in conferences and partnering, and preparing catalogs. Jessica joined the office in 2021.
Prior to joining Emory OTT, Jessica was a Marketing Associate & Analyst at Metabo HPT, where she specialized in marketing and social media. In addition to her extensive experience in social media strategy and content creation, Jess also managed Metabo HPT’s influencer relations and online review program. Jess’s hometown is Acworth, GA.
Fun Facts
- What’s something that’s surprised you about the tech transfer profession? The sheer amount of innovation that comes out of Emory! It’s incredible how many people play a key role in the commercialization process.
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? The New York Times Cooking app, Spotify, and Waze.
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ____. Go for a walk with my dog or work in my garden!
You can find me on .
Patent Group
Jill Uhl
Director, License and Patent Strategy & Chief Intellectual Property Officer
Contact Information
Email: jeuhl@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-1179
Education
- Juris Doctor, Law, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
- Master of Science, Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
- Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Biography
Jill is a member of the leadership team and manages Emory's in-house patent group (the Emory Patent Group), assists the licensing team with license negotiation, monitors licensees' performance post-license, and ensures the university's compliance with all government reporting obligations under the Bayh-Dole Act. Jill joined the office in 2023.
As an attorney in private practice at several prestigious firms including Marshall Gerstein and Borun in Chicago and Hale and Dorr in Boston, Jill advised pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in patent prosecution, litigation, and licensing strategies. Jill joined Serono International in 2003 as Chief US Patent Counsel, where her practice included all aspects of international patent prosecution, interference, licensing, due diligence in portfolio acquisitions, and multi-national litigation. Since 2008, she has been engaged in academic technology transfer at Arizona State, Johns Hopkins University, and at the University of Cincinnati. Jill’s hometown is Indianapolis, Indiana.
Fun Facts
- What’s something that’s surprised you about the tech transfer profession? I was surprised at how challenging a job in tech transfer can be. I expected it to be low key and stress-free after private practice, but the opposite is true.
- What do you like most about working with inventors and other tech transfer professionals? I love working with smart, passionate people who want to make the world a better place.
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? Facebook (to keep up with family), Amazon, and Etsy.
You can find me on .
Randi Isaacs
Patent Counsel
Contact Information
Email: rbisaac@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-2296
Education
- Juris Doctor, Law, University of Maryland School of Law, Baltimore, MD
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Biography
Randi is currently Patent Counsel with Emory Patent Group, focusing on patent preparation and prosecution for medical device and software technologies for the office. She also provides intellectual property counseling to OTT staff and faculty. She instructs overseas counsel on patent preparation and prosecution matters. Randi joined the office in 2010.
Randi also participates as a supervisor in the Emory Law School extern program. Before coming to Emory, she spent six years working for intellectual property boutiques in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Randi also worked at the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, where she focused on post-market compliance and regulation, while attending law school. Before attending law school, Randi worked as a Research Assistant for a prestigious New York City orthopedic hospital and worked as a Research Analyst for a Boston healthcare consulting firm servicing pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotech companies. Randi is member of the Virginia and Georgia State Bar Associations. Randi’s hometown is Ocean, New Jersey.
Fun Facts
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? Calm, Google Maps, Music
- In my free time, I ___. I love traveling, checking out new restaurants in Atlanta, and baking.
- What do you like most about working with inventors and other tech transfer professionals? I enjoy learning about new technologies and their development, and then working with the inventors and tech transfer professionals to craft an appropriate intellectual property strategy that aligns with their progress and goals.
You can find me on .
James Mason
Patent Counsel
Contact Information
Email: james.mason@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-5259
Education
- Juris Doctor, Law, California Western School of Law, San Diego, CA
- Masters of Science, Organic Chemistry, University of Nevada-Reno, Reno, LV
- Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Parkside, Kenosha, WI
Biography
Jim is Patent Counsel with the Emory Patent Group. He has over two decades of experience pursing patent rights internationally and at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and specializes in patents to pharmaceutical, chemical, and life science technologies. He provides intellectual property counseling to OTT staff and faculty, prosecutes U.S. matters including many successful PTAB board appeals, and instructs overseas counsel on patent preparation and prosecution matters. He also oversees a patent track internship for law and life science graduate students. Jim joined the office in 2010.
Prior to Emory, he worked for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals and the intellectual property firm of Medlen & Carroll, LLP – both located in the greater Boston area. Jim started his career as a medicinal chemist the in the biotechnology hub of San Diego, California before attending law school. His graduate work in nanotechnology resulted in several scholarly publications. Jim is a member of the California and Texas State Bar Associations. Jim’s hometown is Racine, Wisconsin.
Fun Facts
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ___. play golf.
- What do you like most about working with inventors and other tech transfer professionals? The excitement when a technology is licensed.
- What career advice would you give your younger self? Take risks and the road less traveled by.
You can find me on .
Kristi Rebel
Patent Manager
Contact Information
Email: krebel@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-2291
Education
- Bachelor of Science, Ecology & Computer Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Paralegal Certificate, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Biography
Kristi is the Patent Manager and supports the Emory Patent Group. She prepares all formalities including documents for submission related to patent filings, creates and files documents related to prosecution, provides instruction on maintenance fees, obtains estimates for legal expenses, manages documents, and oversees the docket. Kristi joined the office in 2015.
Kristi comes to Emory with more than a decade of intellectual property experience. Prior to joining Emory's Patent Group, she was the Paralegal/Office Administrator at Knowles Intellectual Property Strategies, LLC. At Knowles IP Strategies, she was the sole paralegal and was responsible for all non-substantive aspects of prosecution and all docketing for the firm. Before Knowles IP Strategies, Kristi worked at King and Spalding LLP's Atlanta office for over seven years as part of the intellectual property team.
Fun Facts
- If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, what would they be? Photos, Contacts, and Waze.
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ___. Sleep.
- My favorite movie is: None. I don’t have one, as there are too many to choose from. The answer varies depending on my mood.
You can find me on .
Post-License
Kim Dunn
Compliance Associate
Contact Information
Email: kdunn5@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-5262
Education
- Paralegal Certificate, American Institute for Paralegal Studies, Atlanta, GA
Biography
Kim is the Compliance Associate and responsible for matters associated with compliance of university-developed IP resulting from Federal sponsorship as well as IP supported by Foundation grants. She is also part of the team responsible for post-license compliance. Specific activities include reviewing active licenses to assess technology development and milestone achievements via progress and royalty reports, timely receipt of reports, and assurance financial obligations are being met. Kim joined the office in 2017.
Kim is a certified paralegal in the State of Georgia. Prior to joining the office, Kim worked as a foreign prosecution paralegal for a boutique intellectual property firm in Atlanta. Before that, she was the Patents Administrator at Georgia Tech Research Corporation (GTRC) for over 17 years. Kim has spent more than two decades working in technology transfer. She has been an active participant in AUTM by volunteering on the operations and compliance course committee, the distance learning committee, and previously as chair of the Intellectual Property committee. Kim’s hometown is Madison, Georgia.
Fun Facts
- What’s something that’s surprised you about the tech transfer profession? That the enormity of inventions we see and hear about every day are conceived in academia.
- My favorite movie is ____. Good Will Hunting
- What career advice would you give your younger self? Be confident, take chances, and reward yourself.
You can find me on .
Finance
LaShonda Holland
Senior Financial Analyst
Contact Information
Email: lholla8@emory.edu
Phone: (404) 727-5260
Education
- Certified Public Accountant, State of Georgia
- Masters of Business Administration, Accounting Concentration, University of Phoenix, Phoenix AZ
- Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Albany State University, Albany, GA
Biography
LaShonda is the Senior Financial Analyst and a member of the office's financial team that is responsible for overseeing financials related to revenue and legal expenses. She takes the lead in revenue distributions as well as preparing revenue estimates, managing POP funding accounts, and reconciling various internal accounts. LaShonda joined the office in 2018.
Prior to joining Emory, she served as a Financial Analyst for Turner Broadcasting in the Sports Finance Department. LaShonda has over 10 years of experience in general accounting, tax accounting, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. LaShonda’s hometown is Savannah, Georgia.
Fun Facts
- Finish the sentence: When I need to recharge, I ___. Meditate and/or go to yoga class.
- What do you like most about working with inventors and other tech transfer professionals? I appreciate the hard work and diligence put forth by the inventors and my colleagues. This allows me to become knowledgeable and grow within my position.
- My favorite movie is ____. Interstellar and all things sci-fi.
You can find me on .
Jen Folger
Financial Analyst