AUTM on the Air

• The Origin of Technology Transfer Professionals Day with Chad Riggs

  Every now and then, someone inside a Tech Transfer office tries something small, something meant for their own team, and it ends up resonating far beyond their campus. That’s the path our guest followed, and it’s a great reminder of how ideas in this profession can ripple outward in ways we don’t always expect.My guest today is Chadwig “Chad” Riggs, former marketing associate at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Office of Technology Licensing and the creator of Technology Transfer Professionals Day, which is celebrated each year on December 12, the anniversary of the Bayh–Dole Act. Chad talks about how this whole effort began with a quick holiday video meant to help colleagues understand the licensing process, and how it slowly turned into a day of recognition, education, and connection. He also shares small touches, like custom inventor mugs or light-bulb candy favors, that helped bring faculty into the conversation and made tech transfer feel more approachable.From there, the idea eventually made its way to AUTM, and Chad explains what it took to turn an internal activity into a national recognition day. Along the way, we touch on why acknowledgement matters, especially now, and how stories like St. Jude’s ALK gene journey show the real-world impact that can come from sustained licensing and partnership work. It’s an encouraging reminder that shining a light on the people behind commercialization can strengthen the whole ecosystem.In This Episode: [00:33] We discuss Chad Riggs’ background at St. Jude’s Office of Technology Licensing.[01:20] How marketing, outreach, and internal engagement became central to his Tech Transfer role.[02:45] He recalls how a simple holiday video sparked the idea for broader year-round education and recognition.[04:13] Chad describes the early holiday videos at St. Jude and why Tech Transfer needed its own presence.[05:40] We learn how he wanted to build excitement around disclosures and increase faculty participation.[07:05] The team brainstorms their first set of activities for Technology Transfer Professionals Day.[08:10] Chad talks about St. Jude’s culture of celebrating different professional groups across the hospital.[09:30] The realization hits: Tech Transfer deserves its own day, too.[10:15] He outlines the initial reaction from colleagues and leaders when he proposed the idea.[11:00] Chad explains why choosing December 12, the anniversary of Bayh–Dole, was non-negotiable.[11:43] The team launches their first celebration with inventor mugs, quizzes, and creative giveaways.[13:10] He discusses the importance of pairing recognition with education about the disclosure and licensing process.[14:30] Chad shares how elevator screens, newsletters, and repeated messaging helped build internal awareness.[15:45] He breaks down why the Bayh–Dole Act remains central to Tech Transfer’s identity and purpose.[17:25] The story shifts to how Chad brought the idea to AUTM and pushed for national adoption.[18:50] He talks about navigating committees, lobbying concerns, and sticking to the holiday’s true intent.[20:15] Chad reflects on watching institutions nationwide make the celebration their own.[21:40] Creative examples, like office competitions, stickers, and venture program spotlights, start appearing.[23:00] The AUTM toolkit expands the day with graphics, hashtags, and award ideas.[24:10] Chad shares how recognition days help fight burnout and remind researchers that TTOs are real people.[25:35] He emphasizes the importance of visibility and human connection in a “black box” profession.[26:50] The conversation turns to morale, retention, and why small acknowledgments matter.[27:55] Chad explains how giving people ownership of ideas increases engagement and buy-in.[29:15] He talks about the value of creative exercises and “batting practice” for building stronger innovation habits.[30:40] Chad shares the ALK gene story as a powerful example of the long-term impact of Tech Transfer.[32:20] The discussion covers how one discovery evolved into multiple FDA-approved therapies.[34:05] He highlights the economic and clinical reach of ALK inhibitors around the world.[35:10] Chad reflects on decades of work that eventually returned to benefit pediatric patients.[36:00] Tech Transfer is the bridge that takes research from the benchtop to the bedside.Resources: Celebrate the Contributions of Tech Transfer ProfessionalsBetter World ProjectBayh–Dole CoalitionSt. Jude Children’s Research HospitalChad Riggs - St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalChad Riggs - LinkedIn

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• Rethinking the Future of University Funding with Dr. Yasheng Huang

  There’s a fundamental shift happening in the world of American research universities, and people across higher education are feeling it. Funding that once seemed dependable is now uncertain, and the pressure coming from political and economic changes is hard to overlook. More and more, leaders and researchers are asking tough questions about how the current system can keep up, and what needs to evolve to protect the future of discovery and innovation.Today’s guest, Dr. Yasheng Huang, brings a thoughtful and deeply informed perspective to that conversation. He is the Epic Foundation Professor of Global Economics and Management at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and one of the world’s leading voices on global innovation systems, technology policy, and the Chinese economy. He has written 13 books, including Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics, named Best Book of 2008 by The Economist, and The Rise and Fall of the East, selected by Foreign Affairs as its Best Book of 2023. His recent article in Nature, Universities Must Harness Their Financial Value, has sparked an important debate across higher education.In this episode, Dr. Huang talks about why the traditional funding compact between universities and the federal government is breaking down, why universities create extraordinary economic value that they rarely capture, and what bold new approaches might protect the future of research. He also shares a candid warning about the risk of losing scientific talent, and why innovation within university finance may be essential to preserving the innovation ecosystem itself.In This Episode:[02:15] Dr. Huang explains why he opened his Nature article with a comparison between university endowments and Elon Musk’s wealth.[04:02] Discussion on the imbalance between perceived university wealth and actual financial resources needed for research.[06:51] Historical accumulation of endowments vs. rapid individual wealth creation highlights the funding disparity.[08:29] The economic impact of university-driven innovation and the paradox of unrecognized value.[09:51] Examples of Stanford and MIT entrepreneurship driving massive global GDP value that universities cannot record financially.[12:52] Dr. Huang reflects on the communication gap between universities and the general public about research impact.[16:39] Explanation of the historic “social compact” between universities and the federal government after World War II.[18:00] How legislative changes enabled university-owned IP and helped spark modern entrepreneurship.[20:00] The consequences of current funding suspensions, budget cuts, and a proposed tax on endowment income.[21:40] Rising costs of scientific research and the increasing scale of talent and equipment needed to sustain discovery.[24:53] Funding imbalances across disciplines, with material science and energy research falling behind.[27:59] Licensing revenue limitations and why patent income cannot sustain university budgets alone.[34:49] The Weizmann Institute model and lessons from more aggressive IP commercialization strategies.[37:51] The tension between commercialization and academic values, and the need for responsible guardrails.[39:14] Proposal to explore taxing a small portion of faculty outside consulting income to support shared research infrastructure.[46:55] Discussion of equity across disciplines and why financial benefits rarely flow to the broader academic community.[52:06] The risk of losing scientific talent to other countries and historical examples of long-term consequences.[59:55] A hopeful note about recent elections and restoring confidence in the stability of democratic institutions.[1:00:28] Reflections on academic freedom and the need for bold innovation in university funding models.Resources: Yasheng Huang - MIT Management Sloan SchoolYasheng Huang - MIT Center for International StudiesUniversities Under Fire Must Harness More Of The Financial Value They CreateCapitalism with Chinese Characteristics: Entrepreneurship and the StateThe Rise and Fall of the East

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• Improving Mental Health Across IP and Tech Transfer with Jane Wainwright

  Mental health is increasingly a focus in Tech Transfer as people try to keep pace with heavy workloads, fast-moving deadlines, and the pressure to make the right call with limited time and information. To bring more attention to what professionals are experiencing, we’re opening a new series on wellbeing and resilience with a conversation featuring today’s guest, Jane Wainwright. This series will look at the challenges many carry quietly and highlight approaches that support healthier, more sustainable workplaces across research commercialization.Jane has spent more than twenty years at Potter Clarkson and led the firm’s biotechnology practice. Over the course of her career, she managed global life sciences portfolios, supported clients through demanding legal and scientific issues, and served in senior leadership roles. Alongside that work, she trained as a mental health first aider, earned advanced coaching credentials, founded Starry-Eyed Pragmatics, and joined the advisory board of Jonathan’s Voice, a charity dedicated to mental health within the IP profession.We discuss the pressures she has seen across both patent practice and tech transfer, from perfectionism and tight timelines to the “always on” habits that leave many people exhausted. She shares what she’s seen help in real workplaces, including more substantial support from leadership and better ways to share responsibility for urgent matters. Jane also reflects on how small culture shifts can make it easier for people to do their work without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a practical, honest way to start this new series and a conversation many listeners will recognize from their own environments.In This Episode:[01:03] Jane’s background in high-pressure patent work sets the stage for discussing mental health challenges.[01:32] The conversation outlines the real consequences of missed deadlines and the constant pressure to get things right.[02:26] Jane’s shift toward mental health advocacy and her work with Jonathan’s Voice comes into focus.[03:04] She describes the mental health landscape in IP and why perfectionism and long hours contribute to hidden struggles.[04:03] Jane shares her personal experience with depression and anxiety and explains how it shaped her advocacy.[07:57] We discuss how global uncertainty, rapid change, and AI concerns add new layers of stress.[09:19] Data from a wellbeing survey highlights how deadlines, workloads, and client demands affect IP professionals.[12:42] Differences in workload stress across regions and firm sizes come up as contributors to burnout.[14:54] Why perfectionism makes it hard for teams to accept "good enough" under tight timelines.[17:21] We address why many feel unable to take time off and how workload pressure affects vacation habits.[18:22] Jane talks about surface-level wellness initiatives versus meaningful organizational change.[19:34] She emphasizes the importance of team structures that share responsibility and reduce overload.[21:01] The role of teamwork and continuity planning in reducing stress becomes a central theme.[22:07] Strategies for very small TTOs and solo practitioners are explored, including outsourcing and prioritization.[23:18] The importance of having a support network and access to confidential help is discussed.[24:57] Jane reflects on her transition from partner to full-time wellbeing and coaching work.[29:03] We examine how senior leaders view mental health and the need to “meet them where they are.”[30:29] Generational differences in attitudes toward mental health begin to shift firm culture.[32:35] Emotional intelligence is highlighted as a core competency for supporting healthy teams.[35:31] Leadership modeling of healthy behavior helps build psychological safety.[35:47] What actually works beyond wellness perks, including trust and clear expectations.[37:59] Jane discusses role modeling, healthy boundaries, and avoiding the “always available” culture.[40:21] Emotional intelligence as a learnable skill is explored, including how it evolves.[41:54] Signs of cultural change give Jane hope, alongside growing awareness and new generations entering the field.[44:03] Real progress takes time, especially in high-workload environments like U.S. law firms.[44:47] Why mental health and organizational performance are deeply connected.Resources: Starry-Eyed PragmaticsJane Wainwright - LinkedInJonathan’s Voice2022 Mental Wellbeing Survey of the IP Profession

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• Global Insights on University Commercialization with Todd Davey and Medisa Focic

  Few studies have explored the global state of university intellectual property commercialization as deeply as this brief, Unlocking University IP: Global Insights into Commercialization Challenges and Opportunities. In this episode, we take a close look at that landmark UIIN Insights Brief with its lead authors, Dr. Todd Davey and Medisa Focic, to better understand how universities around the world are managing and monetizing their research. Together, they offer a rare global perspective on the systems, people, and policies that shape how ideas move from campus labs to the marketplace.Dr. Todd Davey, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Institut Mines-Télécom Business School in Paris and Associate Partner with the University Industry Innovation Network (UIIN), brings decades of experience in connecting academia and industry. His co-author, Medisa Focic, a PhD candidate at the University of Technology Sydney, studies how IP policies are designed, implemented, and interpreted across Europe. Their combined research examines five major regions —North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America —and what these differences reveal about innovation and opportunity.The conversation touches on everything from the Bayh-Dole Act’s lasting influence in the U.S. to Europe’s evolving focus on valorization, where social and cultural value often matter as much as revenue. Todd and Medisa explain how strong, government-driven innovation systems in parts of Asia contrast with Africa’s emerging models built on homegrown solutions and local needs. Across these regions, they uncover a common thread: universities recognize the potential of IP, but still face structural and cultural barriers that hinder their progress.By the end of the discussion, a call for collaboration across continents emerges. Todd and Medisa make the case for ecosystem thinking: a more inclusive, evidence-based approach that measures success beyond patents and profits. They highlight lessons from institutions like MIT, Oxford, and Tsinghua University, where leadership, culture, and clarity around IP have turned innovation into impact. Their message is clear: unlocking the world’s intellectual property potential starts with aligning people, policy, and purpose.In This Episode:[00:33] Introducing guests Dr. Todd Davey and Medisa Focic, who are here to talk about the UIIN Insights Brief.[01:08] Todd has a background in entrepreneurship and university-industry collaboration.[02:16] Medisa has done research on IP management and policy frameworks across Europe.[03:52] The motivation behind their ambitious comparative study and what they hoped to uncover.[05:16] Why IP remains an underexplored asset in higher education worldwide.[06:21] Examining the persistent gap between potential and real commercialization outcomes.[07:45] How the absence of coherent IP policies limits innovation capacity.[08:38] Understanding the “Valley of Death” and the time it takes for research to reach the market.[09:26] Concentration of licensing revenue among elite universities and lessons learned.[10:52] Rethinking how success is measured beyond patents and spinouts.[12:12] The Bayh-Dole Act’s lasting impact on the North American IP model.[13:31] Why the U.S. framework can’t simply be copied in civil-law systems like Europe.[15:18] Exploring Europe’s valorisation approach and its focus on social and cultural value.[16:31] Examples of non-traditional outputs—policy advice, education, and consulting.[18:06] Broader focus on societal good and inclusive research across disciplines.[19:47] Social innovation accelerators in Canada and similar global movements.[20:42] Asia’s government-driven IP strategies and their success factors.[22:20] How policy, infrastructure, and funding link R&D to commercialization in Asia.[23:35] Emerging IP frameworks in Africa are centered on local solutions and social impact.[25:03] Why resources, context, and priorities shape Africa’s innovation path.[26:57] The seven major global challenges identified in the UIIN report.[29:20] Underfunded tech transfer offices and the need for skilled personnel.[30:33] Academic incentive gaps and the burden of extra commercialization work.[32:44] Addressing bureaucracy and cultural barriers between academia and industry.[33:39] Building trust through small collaborations and clear communication.[35:54] Shared goals, transparency, and mutual benefit as foundations for partnership.[37:35] Encouraging academics to learn the language of industry and engage directly.[38:56] Misalignments between institutional policies and real-world IP practice.[40:26] How unclear disclosure processes frustrate academic inventors.[41:47] Lessons from MIT, Oxford, and Tsinghua—what top performers do differently.[44:00] Institutional culture, leadership, and training as key ingredients of success.[45:26] The role of revenue-sharing policies in motivating and rewarding researchers.[47:37] Balancing financial incentives with recognition and purpose.[48:47] Moving from one-to-one collaborations to broader ecosystem models.[50:38] Real-world example: Siemens’ shift to many-to-many partnerships.[52:25] Recommendations for developing stronger institutional innovation cultures.[55:16] Aligning incentives between faculty, TTOs, and administration.[57:12] Expanding training and capacity-building programs across regions.[60:04] Integrating social and economic impact metrics into tech transfer performance.[63:15] The future of ecosystem-based innovation and the rise of data-driven insights.[66:00] Redefining success to include collaboration, trust, and social value.Resources: Unlocking University IP: Global Insights into Commercialization Challenges and OpportunitiesTodd Davey - Todd Davey - Institut Mines-TélécomTodd Davey - LinkedInMedisa Focic - LinkedIn

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• Building a Model for Non-Dilutive Funding Success with Sam Tetlow

  Few people bridge the worlds of engineering, venture capital, and biotech entrepreneurship the way Sam Tetlow does. After early years at General Electric and a successful run in venture capital, Sam founded The Grant Engine out of frustration with a broken system with too many brilliant innovators failing to secure the funding they needed to move lifesaving research forward. What began as a personal mission to write better grants for his own portfolio companies has evolved into a thriving 75-person firm that now submits more than five percent of all NIH SBIR applications in the United States, with win rates two to four times higher than the national average.In this conversation, Sam talks about what makes The Grant Engine’s approach so different including the deep training every writer goes through before ever touching a client proposal, the collaborative “brain trust” culture that fuels problem-solving, and the rigorous external reviews that pressure-test every draft. He explains how the company’s structure mirrors that of a venture-backed startup by being focused, data-driven, and built for scale without the equity trade-offs. They help clients access non-dilutive funding that keeps ownership intact while accelerating innovation.We also take a look at today’s funding landscape. Sam doesn’t shy away from describing 2025 as a turbulent, even “scary,” year for federal research programs. His message is to stay the course. He shares how The Grant Engine is guiding clients through political uncertainty, shifting budgets, and the sudden influx of AI-generated proposals that flooded agencies last year. Along the way, he offers grounded advice for tech transfer offices and startups, plus how to prepare when others freeze, where new opportunities are emerging, and why persistence, preparation, and quality still win.In This Episode:[00:33] Sam’s career journey from aerospace engineering to venture capital and entrepreneurship.[01:40] The origins of The Grant Engine and how a failed grant experience sparked a new business model.[02:52] The mission behind The Grant Engine by helping innovators secure non-dilutive funding that saves lives.[03:45] How the company grew to 75 employees and achieved a win rate two to four times higher than the national average.[05:12] What makes The Grant Engine’s approach different from traditional grant writing services.[06:45] Why rigorous training and mentorship create consistently successful grant writers.[07:58] The importance of subject matter expert reviews before engaging a client.[08:38] External peer reviews and the “pressure test” process that elevates proposal quality.[09:43] Discussion on the national drop in SBIR win rates and how The Grant Engine’s rates improved despite it.[11:30] Understanding their higher success rates across Phase I, Phase II, and Fast Track programs.[13:10] How The Grant Engine’s “X factor” lies in data, experience, and honest client feedback.[15:02] Regular internal analysis: studying what makes a proposal win or lose.[16:20] How understanding study section audiences helps tailor more competitive applications.[17:09] The link between commercialization experience and strong grant proposals.[18:50] The “Find, Win, and Manage” framework that defines The Grant Engine’s services.[20:20] How the company helps clients identify the right solicitations and map funding to product roadmaps.[22:00] Managing post-award compliance and staying “audit ready.”[22:33] Addressing turbulence in federal funding and the ongoing government shutdown.[24:00] Sam’s take on political uncertainty and how intentional disruption is affecting research programs.[25:54] Why this is a time to double down rather than pull back from federal funding pursuits.[26:58] The impact of AI-generated grant proposals on funding success rates.[27:56] The case for staying persistent and why consistency eventually beats randomness in the review process.[29:33] Outlook for 2026 and how to prepare for the eventual SBIR reauthorization.[31:44] The shifting balance between academic and company-based research funding.[32:24] Signs of hope: proposals to double SBIR allocations and bipartisan support for innovation funding.[34:16] Advice to continue preparing proposals even while programs are paused.[36:46] Why readiness for the next submission window creates a competitive advantage.[38:20] The benefits of over-preparation and staying proactive through uncertainty.[39:53] How The Grant Engine uses AI responsibly by augmenting research without replacing human expertise.[41:30] The limits of AI writing tools and the danger of relying on them for winning proposals.[42:38] The company’s acquisition of Streamline and its research on predictive grant modeling.[44:50] New opportunities ahead in defense, cybersecurity, space, and life sciences.[47:20] Observations on budget trends and where funding will likely expand or contract.[50:29] Encouragement for startups and tech transfer professionals to stay motivated and adaptable.[51:33] Viewing challenges as evolution and how adversity strengthens teams and innovators.[54:05] Staying fit, staying ready, and building a stronger innovation ecosystem.Resources: Grant EngineSam Tetlow - Grant EngineSam Tetlow - [email protected]

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