AUTM on the Air AUTM

Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi is a highly accomplished vaccinologist and global health advocate for neglected tropical diseases. She’s Associate Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine, Professor of Pediatrics, and Co-director of Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. 
She has over two decades of experience, numerous awards, and over 120 scientific papers. She’s dedicated her career to developing vaccines for neglected diseases through partnerships and sustainable biotechnology. I’m privileged to speak with her today.
We talk about how her journey began. Growing up in Honduras, she experienced the effects of tropical and contagious diseases firsthand. She also shares how she had a love for biological science and a desire to help the often-overlooked people in these communities. 
She shares how her team thinks outside the box to find partners for researching and developing neglected but needed vaccines. She shares some history on the Chagas vaccine and how coronavirus research in 2010 led to vaccines being developed and authorized in India and Indonesia, which led to over 100 million people being vaccinated. Dr. Bottazzi is truly an inspiration.

In This Episode:
[02:41] Dr. Bottazzi grew up in Honduras which is plagued with many tropical, infectious, and emerging pathogens. She saw these diseases first hand and had a love for the biological sciences. 
[03:54] After high school, she studied microbiology where she learned how pathogens interact with the host and how to develop interventions to cure or protect from these pathogens. By creating these tools, she became involved with vaccine development. 
[05:10] She was intentional about surrounding herself with people who could help her increase her scientific ability and better her soft skills and interactions with other people.
[07:49] Tropical diseases that occurred in pockets of poverty seemed to be neglected. Dr. Bottazzi and her coworkers wanted to adopt these diseases as a model to control diseases like Chagas. 
[09:44] They developed a non-profit partnership model to develop vaccines for these overlooked diseases.
[13:21] In 2010, they noticed corona viruses weren't a very high priority, so they started learning about them. They worked on SARS and MERS vaccines. They were ready when the emergency came up, but faced challenges with regulations and lack of focus on global access. 
[17:03] Breakthroughs include not dropping the ball and empowering local developing company manufacturers. They impacted millions of lives. 
[18:46] Dr. Bottazzi shares some of her biggest lessons learned and has a focus on creativity, courage, collaboration, cognizance, and use of cultural intelligence.
[22:05] The importance of keeping guiding principles along with having diplomacy.
[24:02] we discuss building a relationship with people in technology and collaboration. Partners can go along with you and help create the best path for your work.
[26:14] Partners are the key to success whether public or private. 
[28:27] Dr. Bottazzi shares her hopes for the future of vaccine development. 
[32:31] Promoting diversity and inclusion in the scientific community. This includes talking about it and finding ways to show we’re doing it. 

Resources:
Wellspring
Maria Elena Bottazzi, Ph.D. Baylor College of Medicine
Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi Texas Children’s Hospital
Maria Elena Bottazzi LinkedIn
Maria Elena Bottazzi Twitter

The 2022 WIPO-AUTM International Knowledge and Technology Transfer Leadership Summit involved the coming together of leaders from 29 countries and territories across the world to discuss the current state of practice and the future direction of the field. 
Some key topics covered during the summit included models for government funding, the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the entire ecosystem, and impact measurement. 
Joining us today to share an overview of some of the most valuable outputs from the summit is AUTM CEO Steve Susalka. So, tune in today to hear about the exciting developments taking place in the world of innovation! 

In This Episode:
[00:34] The intention behind the summit held by AUTM and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). 
[03:35] The two main content areas covered at the summit (and the other “hot topics” that were discussed). 
[05:01] Examples of how government funding for knowledge and technology transfer is allocated in different parts of the world. 
[06:58] Steve explains why the technology transfer field is analogous to a road that links places together or the wiring that converts electricity into light. 
[08:33] Why the fact that government funding for knowledge and technology transfer is often project-based is concerning. 
[09:45] The overall goal of the knowledge and technology transfer field. 
[10:35] What the ‘Triple Impact KPIs’ approach is (and examples of countries that are implementing it).
[12:18] Programs that are working towards closing the gender gap in innovation.
[14:23] The importance of early education in creating a more robust and diverse pipeline of innovators. 
[17:40] Recommendations discussed at the summit for how to raise researchers’ awareness of the impact of their work on society. 
[20:11] The best ways to measure impact and value. 
[21:26] Plans for future WIPO-AUTM Leadership Summits.

Resources:
Stephen Susalka on LinkedIn
WIPO
Summary of WIPO-AUTM Leadership Summit

With a background in electrical engineering and law and a passion for creating impact, Kathi Vidal is brilliantly suited to her role as the Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
During this episode, you will hear about Kathi’s career trajectory, the organizations that she is involved with, and the factors that motivate her to do what she does.
The USPTO is focused on fostering innovation, particularly in key technology areas such as NFTs, AI, and emerging technologies. Kathi explains their approach to helping turn ideas into businesses and how they enhance diversity and equity, and inclusion within and outside their organization!

In This Episode:
[00:33] Introducing today’s guest, Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Kathi Vidal.
[02:05] How Kathi ended up at university at the age of 16 and why she chose to study electrical engineering. 
[03:43] Where Kathi has drawn her inspiration from throughout her career in the private and public sectors. 
[04:04] The various organizations that Kathi is involved with. 
[05:58] Kathi explains the importance of enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
[07:22] The process of developing the USPTO’s action-packed 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.
[09:42] Focal areas for the USPTO’s innovation-fostering efforts. 
[12:06] An overview of the USPTO’s Legal Experience and Advancement Program (LEAP).
[15:00] The two overlapping pro bono services offered by the USPTO that help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into products and businesses.

Resources:
Kathi Vidal

Gender disparities are particularly pronounced in the STEM fields, with only 28% of the workforce in STEM professions being women. Tarianna Stewart is one of the 28%, and she’s had a wide range of experiences throughout her fruitful career, which she shares with us today.
During this episode, Tarianna explains what drew her to science in the first place, the exclusion she experienced while working at a law firm, what she learned during her time as a licensing associate at Georgia Tech (the first woman of color to hold this position at the university), and what her current role as a Core AI Licensing Executive at IBM Research entails. 
We also discuss the movement towards the inclusion of underrepresented groups that has taken place in recent years and Tarianna’s thoughts on what we can all do to enhance this further. Because of the diversity of her experiences, the advice that Tarianna shares will be relevant and valuable to a broad scope of professionals! 

In This Episode:
[01:07] Introducing Tarianna Stewart, Core AI Licensing Executive for IBM’s Research Intellectual Property Group. 
[02:18] An overview of Tarianna’s diverse educational journey.
[04:16] Why Tarianna was drawn to the science field. 
[06:01] Benefits of the Patent Pipeline Program.
[06:46] Factors that make law firms traditionally uninclusive. 
[08:31] Tarianna explains how she became a licensing associate at Georgia Tech and what her experience there was like. 
[09:50] The biggest surprise Tarianna received when she became involved in technology transfer.
[10:44] How Tarianna came to her current role at IBM Research.
[12:26] How IBM Research is structured, and what Tarianna’s role entails. 
[13:07] Differences between working in technology transfer and industry.  
[14:16] Advice for technology transfer professionals around navigating negotiations with industry 
[17:03] Why enhancing diversity in the workplace needs to start in the home.
[20:20] Tarianna’s thoughts on the progress that has been made with regard to diversity in recent years.
[20:38] How STEM leaders can create more inclusive environments and foster opportunities for underrepresented groups. 
[24:04] The importance of educating the younger generations about the opportunities that lie in STEM.
[26:35] One of Tarianna’s proudest moments as a woman of color working in STEM. 

Resources:
Tarianna Stewart on LinkedIn
Patent Pipeline Program

Today’s guest is a first-generation university graduate, the Assistant Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Jackson State University, the first Black Chair of the Board of Directors for AUTM, a Ph.D. holder, and a mother of two. 
Almesha is a trailblazer in the technology transfer field and a true asset to the industry. Her unwavering commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship, especially among underrepresented populations, has earned her recognition and accolades from numerous organizations.
During this episode, Almesha Campbell talks about her educational and career background, the people in her life who have influenced and motivated her to be the best version of herself, her goals of enhancing equity, diversity, and inclusion far beyond the borders of her university, and the strategic initiatives that she will be focusing on at AUTM in the coming year.

In This Episode:
[00:40] Introducing Almesha Campbell, the Chair of the Board of Directors for AUTM.
[01:42] What Almesha aims to achieve while holding her current position.  
[03:34] An overview of Almesha’s career journey to date. 
[05:26] The mentors who have played an influential role in Almesha’s life. 
[11:33] The problem with having a lack of diversity at the leadership level. 
[15:52] Exploring the programs that foster innovation and entrepreneurship at Jackson State University and beyond. 
[23:15] Advice for establishing successful innovation-focused university-based programs.
[26:59] Lessons that Almesha learned from her mother and grandmother that have shaped her into the person she is today and how she is passing those lessons on to those around her.
[31:57] Why the underrated skill of listening is foundational to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
[34:05] Barriers to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and Almesha’s thoughts on how those can be broken down. 
[37:25] Four key strategic initiatives that Almesha plans to bring to life at AUTM in the coming year.

Resources:
Almesha Campbell on LinkedIn

If you’re looking to network with thousands of technology transfer professionals, enhance your knowledge, or for opportunities to give back to the AUTM community, the AUTM Annual Meeting in Austin is the place to be in one week's time! Today’s guest is Ian McClure, Chair of the AUTM Board, who is here to share what you can expect from both the in-person and hybrid versions of this highly anticipated event. 

In This Episode:
[01:22] The size of the upcoming AUTM Annual Meeting. 
[01:38] What to expect from the hybrid version of the AUTM Annual Meeting.
[03:18] How AUTM decides where to host the Annual Meeting. 
[03:44] Why you should attend the AUTM Annual Meeting. 
[04:46] Some of the add-on courses that will be on offer at the Meeting. 
[06:30] The opportunity to lace up your running shoes for Team AUTM (and raise money while doing so!)
[07:28] Work being done by the AUTM Foundation. 

Resources:
Dr. Ian McClure on LinkedIn
AUTM Annual Meeting 2023
AUTM Connect
AUTM Foundation
Austin Marathon