Stephen Dewhurst Named Vice Dean for Research at UR School of Medicine and Dentistry!

Stephen Dewhurst, Ph.D., has been named vice dean for research at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. A faculty member since 1990 and past senior associate dean for basic research, Dewhurst will lead the School’s research strategic planning process and help advance its research priorities by identifying areas of excellence in which to make strategic investments; strengthening the research infrastructure; improving education and training; and promoting collaborations and alliances that will result in increased research funding.

The new position was recommended by a faculty-led strategic planning committee headed by Dirk Bohmann, Ph.D., and Lynne E. Maquat, Ph.D. As vice dean for research, Dewhurst will work closely with the senior associate deans for basic and clinical research, J. Edward Puzas, Ph.D., and Thomas A. Pearson, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., to accomplish these goals.

“There’s no doubt that this is a challenging time in science: Researchers are faced with an extremely competitive funding environment and a scientific landscape that is changing more rapidly than ever before,” said Mark B. Taubman, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry. “We take these issues very seriously and believe Steve will help leadership and faculty respond to these challenges. With a wide-ranging understanding of research and an outstanding track record of organizing successful institutional collaborations, he is the ideal candidate for the job.”

Full Announcement

 

RocNext Featured Article: UR Revamping Research Commercialization – Scott Catlin Hired to Oversee Innovation and Technology

Each stage of Scott Catlin’s career has taken him in a slightly different direction, but, as a whole, it amounts to an ideal path leading to his new role as vice president for innovation and technology commercialization at the University of Rochester.

Catlin, who started in the job on March 1, took advantage of an Air Force ROTC program to pay for his college education, but he later recognized how the decision was worth more than cost of tuition.

“Even though I did it originally for financial reasons, I got so much out of it from a leadership and management perspective. If I had known then what I know now, I probably would have done it even if they didn’t pay for school,” said Catlin, who earned a bachelor’s degree in optical engineering at UR in 1992.

Three years later, Catlin graduated from Notre Dame Law School. Afterward he served as a judge advocate general, mainly handling criminal prosecutions before going to work for about a year as a management consultant at Bain Capital.

Full RocNext Article

 

 

F.I.R.E. Series: “The Keys to Bank Financing for Start-Up and Early-Stage Businesses – Debt as a Supplement to Venture Capital Funding” March, 12th at 12 pm!!

The Office of Technology Transfer, in cooperation with the Center for Entrepreneurship proudly present F.I.R.E. in March: 

“The Keys to Bank Financing for Start-Up and Early-Stage Businesses – Debt as a Supplement to Venture Capital Funding”

Everyone knows that early stage start-up companies require capital. In the past, we have explored VC funding. This month we look at traditional credit solutions for start-up and early-stage businesses, as well as SBA financing programs.

Where: the Class of ’62 Auditorium (G-9425 & 1-9425)
When: Tuesday, 12 March 2013, 12:00 – 1:00 PM

Our presenters are Carl J. Luger, SVP, Senior Banker; Timothy J. Brown, VP, Senior Business Banking Relationship Manager; and Jacqueline Lavoie, VP, Branch Manager, all from KeyBank.

A light lunch will be served following the presentation. Please bring your own beverage.

Contact David Englert, or call 585.276.6615 for more information or to register for this event.

Although the F.I.R.E. Series continues to be free and open to the public, a small fee for parking may apply (usually between $5 and $6). Registration would be appreciated by noon Monday, 11 March 2013.

 

Siemens CEO to Speak at URMC!

URMC TODAY ANNOUNCEMENT

SIEMENS CEO TO SPEAK AT URMC – Monday, Feb. 25^TH at 12:30pm

SIEMENS President and CEO Gregory Sorensen, M.D., will lecture at URMC at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, discussing how new payment models hinder technical innovation – and how smart companies are facing those challenges.

His hour-long talk, titled “Pursuing Innovation with PET-MRI in an Era of Value-based Healthcare,” takes place in the Class of ’62 Auditorium (G-9425) and focuses on Biograph mMR, or PET-MRI technology. Sorensen, who holds seven patents, has a deep understanding of the value medical technology provides to clinical practitioners – and a keen appreciation of the vital role measurable outcomes play in modern health care delivery.

Lunch will be provided at noon. The special lecture is presented jointly by the Department of Imaging Sciences and SIEMENS Healthcare North America. You can view and print a flyer to help promote the talk in your area, here.

 

Scott Catlin to Head University’s Combined Office of Technology Transfer

Scott Catlin has been appointed associate vice president for innovation and technology commercialization. He will oversee the Office of Technology Transfer at the University of Rochester.

“Scott Catlin’s breadth of knowledge, expertise, and corporate experience will serve us well and advance the mission of the Office of Technology Transfer,” said Robert Clark, interim senior vice president for research.

Catlin is currently legal section head for Abbott Medical Optics Inc. in Santa Ana, Calif., where he managed a team of 18 attorneys and support staff. Catlin earned his B.S. in optical engineering at the University of Rochester in 1992, graduating summa cum laude. Three years later, he graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame Law School with his Juris Doctorate. He is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and is a member of the Licensing Executives Society and American Intellectual Property Association.

“I look forward to building bridges between the University’s researchers and the commercial world,” said Catlin. “The goal is to turn the University’s cutting-edge innovation into products and services that benefit patients, society and the environment, while also helping to create jobs in the local community.”

 

Full Announcement

 

Entrepreneur Event at Roc Brewing, Monday, January 28 @ 5:30pm!

Attention Innovators: The Entrepreneurs Network and High Tech Rochester will be combining forces to offer even more events and programs in 2013 to better serve entrepreneurs from new ventures and growth stages businesses in the Rochester area!  These include both formal programs and informal networking events to help introduce and connect local innovators with the right people and resources to bring your company to the next level.

Please join TEN and HTR at Roc Brewing next Monday, January 28, 2013 at 5:30pm, to learn more about a great TEN success story and to meet other entrepreneurs in the community!

Event Details:

When:            Monday, January 28, 2013

Time:             5:30pm – 7:30pm

Where:           Roc Brewing

56 South Union Street, Rochester, NY 14607

(Between East Avenue and Monroe Avenue)

(585) 794-9798

 

F.I.R.E. Series: “Patent Laws Are Changing — Are You Prepared?” Tuesday, February 12 at 12pm!

The Office of Technology Transfer, in cooperation with the Center for Entrepreneurship proudly present F.I.R.E. in February: 

“Patent Laws Are Changing — Are You Prepared?”

Changes to patent law take place on 16 March 2013 under the America Invents Act. The “first to invent” system we are all used to in the United States will switch over to a “first to file” system.

Kathryn Doyle , Ph.D., J.D., Partner and Chair of Riverside Law will discuss what these changes mean and if it makes sense to file before the changes take place, or after.

Where: the Class of ’62 Auditorium (G-9425 & 1-9425)
When: Tuesday, 12 February 2013, 12:00 – 1:00 PM

A light lunch will be served following the presentation. Please contact David Englert, or call 585.276.6615 for more information or to register for this event.

Although the F.I.R.E. Series continues to be free and open to the public, a small fee for parking may apply (usually between $5 and $6). Registration would be appreciated by noon Monday, 11 February 2013.

 

Gail Norris Named Vice President, General Counsel!

Gail M. Norris has been named vice president and general counsel for the University of Rochester, President Joel Seligman announced today. Norris’ appointment, effective Jan. 1, is the result of a national search that began following the announcement of Sue Stewart’s retirement, effective Dec. 31.

“University Trustee Bob Witmer and I conducted an extensive search for a new general counsel, and Gail stood out in a field of exceptional candidates,” President Seligman said. “I was particularly impressed by the background Gail would bring to our University from her previous experience as general counsel of a successful business and partner in a leading law firm, as well as the great skill she has demonstrated here in transactions and compliance issues that span our University. It meant a great deal to me that she also had overwhelming support from our senior leadership team.”

“The vice president and general counsel provides critical advice to the Board of Trustees on many important matters,” said Board Chairman Ed Hajim ’58. “I am delighted with the outcome of this search and look forward to continuing to work with Gail in her new role.”

Full Announcement

The Office of Technology Transfer would like to personally extend its congratulations to Gail, we are all so proud of you and wish you the best of luck in your new position!

 

High Tech Rochester Starts Accelerator Program for Software Developers

High Tech Rochester starts new accelerator program for software developers looking to commercialize their concepts.

Modeled after the highly successful Lean LaunchPad program developed at Stanford University and funded locally by a grant from the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation, the HTR LaunchPad is unique to upstate New York and is accepting applications

A “new media” application*:  every software developer has one in the works, so the question is, how to make it commercially successful?

This is one of the questions the new HTR LaunchPad will address in its first program, beginning in February of 2013.  The program is for software and web-based teams and entrepreneurs developing new software applications for new media:  internet-based systems, mobile apps, and enterprise software products including those for smart phones, portable web-based devices, more traditional markets and technologies, larger scale enterprise IT, and “cloud” computing.

For the full article…

 

Don’t Miss! The F.I.R.E. Series on Tues., Nov. 13, at 12 pm: “Drafting a Strong Provisional Application”

The Office of Technology Transfer, in cooperation with the Center for Entrepreneurship proudly present F.I.R.E. in November:

“Drafting a Strong Provisional Application”

Since 1996, the Provisional Patent application has served as a quick and inexpensive method for securing a priority date at the Patent Office. They were rarely examined for content, and so it was sometimes acceptable (although never recommended) to file a quick and not-necessarily thorough application.

Early in 2013, the United States patent system is changing from a first-to-invent to a first-to-file system. This will make the first patent filing – the Provisional in many cases – significantly more important. Any claims filed in a formal application will need to e traced back to the Provisional application to gain the benefit of the earliest possible filing date.

Ranjana Kadle, Ph.D., J.D., a Partner at Hodgson Russ LLP will discuss the importance of drafting a strong Provisional application, how best to do it, and the roles the invenotr(s) and technology manager(s) play in the process.

Where: the Class of ’62 Auditorium (G-9425 & 1-9425)
When: Tuesday, 13 November 2012, 12:00 – 1:00 PM

A light lunch will be served following the presentation. Please contact David Englert, or call 585.784.8856 for more information or to register for this event.