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Diverse perspectives from around the globe help us discover new and innovative ideas in the world of technology transfer. Today, I’m speaking with José Ricardo Aguilar, a key figure in the Knowledge and Valorisation Department at Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN). Established in 1991 through an initiative by the University of Coimbra, IPN is a private non-profit organization that promotes innovation and technology transfer, bridging the gap between the scientific and technological community and the production sector.
Since 2002, José has been instrumental in promoting the use of the IP system within IPN's innovation ecosystem. He offers vital support to researchers and entrepreneurs, helping them grasp the fundamentals of IP and facilitating technology transfer. Furthermore, since 2011, he has served as an invited lecturer at the Universidade de Coimbra School of Pharmacy, sharing his IP expertise with graduate and master's students.
His active involvement extends to various advisory committees, including the EPO Standing Advisory Committee on Patent Information and Documentation since 2018, and both the EUIPO Observatory SME Expert Group and the EARTO Legal Experts Working Group since 2019. José’s responsibilities also include providing legal support to ESA Space Solutions Portugal, hosted by IPN, and contributing as a researcher at the SPARC – Space Law Research Center at Universidade Nova de Lisboa.
In our conversation, José illuminates how IPN is driving forward applied research, fostering entrepreneurship, and nurturing tech-based startups in Coimbra, Portugal.

In This Episode:
[02:44] The tech transfer landscape in Portugal. For a long time Portugal was a closed country to technology and companies, but they are catching up.
[03:51] Challenges include protecting the results of global collaborations.
[05:07] The Portuguese government has been focusing on collaborations with key entities of R&D and promotion of tech transfer activities. They've also received special funding. There's also a development of widespread incubators all over the country.
[07:08] Key factors contributing to their success include learning from much more developed entities, which helps to avoid obstacles and go directly to a more developed process.
[08:30] IPN and how it contributes directly to tech transfer in Portugal. It's a private nonprofit that was created by the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe.
[08:59] IPN is known for applied research in their dedicated lab and business incubators.
[09:50] They've also been a big part of raising awareness for the topic of IP.
[10:50] How regulating bodies affect the landscape and culture of IP. The Portuguese Innovation Agency has a trend of supporting and launching initiatives for the promotion of tech transfer.
[13:34] IPN has established collaborations and partnerships with national and international entities. They are a networking agency. They are widely known inside and outside of the EU. They've had interactions with Brazil, Africa, and  Middle Eastern Countries.
[15:24] Key initiatives focused on improving patent information accessibility and usability include having a strategy for communication and documentation. They are enhancing procedures for better public outreach. The EPO is focused on an assessment of global needs. 
[16:59] José became involved in IP when he received an invitation to be part of a project launched by the patent office.
[18:12] The ESA Space Solutions Portugal is one of the most demanding projects at IPN. They are a business Innovation Center and they promote and support the launch of new space businesses. They are also ambassadors for their partnerships and technology brokers.
[21:26] Common misconceptions among researchers and entrepreneurs can be a result of lack of knowledge. Education and sharing information with future entrepreneurs is a huge goal and task for IPN. 
[24:01] José shares a story about a change in IP law a

In the industry of technology transfer, diverse perspectives from around the world not only help us understand how things work in other countries but also provide fresh ideas for our own organizations. Joining us today is Rodrigo del Canto, Director of Technology Transfer at iCono UDD in Santiago, Chile.
Rodrigo del Canto is a seasoned professional in technology transfer and innovation, holding key roles at iCono UDD. With a background in law and public policy, Rodrigo extensively contributes to academia as a professor at Universidad del Desarrollo. He is actively involved in institutional committees focusing on intellectual property, R&D commercialization, and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
Today, we explore how iCono UDD has been instrumental in promoting innovation and facilitating technology transfer in Chile. We dive into specific project initiatives and their impact. Another discussion point will be iCono UDD's engagement with international partners. 
We uncover the key ingredients for successful international collaborations in the field of technology transfer. We also look ahead at trends and technologies on the horizon that could significantly shape the future of technology transfer, both in Chile and globally.

In This Episode:
[02:04] iCono UDD stands out for its client focused approach and adaptability. They integrate innovation and entrepreneurship within an ecosystem that fosters collaboration.
[03:01] Rodrigo shares initiatives like mentorship programs for startups, intellectual property licensing, and collaborations with companies to solve specific challenges.
[03:47] They're also particularly proud of a collaboration with their former President Sebastian Pinera who was killed in a helicopter accident.
[04:16] iCono UDD is a bridge and facilitator for universities, governments, and other collaborators.
[05:06] They want the innovation developed in their University relevant and applicable to industry and society.
[05:46] They have a variety of KPIs for their tech transfer projects, including the numbers of patents, licenses assigned, and the number of Industry collaboration projects. General impact also matters. 
[06:40] They have relationships with International universities such as UC Davis and Georgia Tech. This allows the R&D teams to expand their level of capabilities.
[07:37]  UC Davis has an International Center established in Chile. This has allowed iCono UDD to send several of their professors to California. Other staff has also participated in training programs for entrepreneurship, tech transfer, and intellectual property.
[08:54] They've linked with the science school, the architectural school, and the engineering school at UCD.
[09:16] Rodrigo shares what he feels are the key ingredients for successful international collaborations in the field of technology transfer.
[10:08] Trends include artificial intelligence and sustainability.
[12:11] Driving innovation and being recognized in the technology transfer ecosystem and having a passion for work and being recognized for their contributions is a goal of iCono UDD.

Resources: 
iCono UDD Technology Transfer
Rodrigo del Canto Huerta LinkedIn
UC Davis Chile: An Ally For Chilean Universities

The influence of Washington D.C. corridor issues on tech transfer (technology transfer) operations significantly affects tech transfer professionals in several key ways. From navigating the regulatory environments of compliance and IP to funding, to ethical considerations, there’s a lot to unpack when it comes to translating policy into practice. I’m excited to talk with Dr. Sheila Kadura as she shares her wealth of knowledge and experience on tech transfer and regulatory policy. 
Dr. Sheila Kadura serves as Associate General Counsel at the University of Texas System, where she is responsible for a broad range of intellectual property matters. Her areas of expertise include patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, sponsored research, clinical trials, and the commercialization and licensing of technology.
Active both locally and nationally in the intellectual property community, Dr. Kadura contributes significantly to its development and networking. She holds a position on the Executive Board as the Mentorship Chair for the Honorable Lee Yeakel Intellectual Property Inn of Court. Additionally, she serves as the Sponsorship & Finance Advisor for the Texas Chapter of ChIPs, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing and connecting women in technology, law, and policy.

In This Episode:
[02:11] Effective strategies for navigating favorable policy changes to support tech transfer. It's important to have open lines of communication with all of the different involved institutions.
[03:18] With open lines of communication, Dr. Kadura can ask about individual pain points and share information about policy changes.
[04:35] Underestimated challenges include explaining the process to people. Tech transfer is a positive thing for everyone involved, but the nuances can be complex.
[06:10] Universities and the government do not have the resources to take intellectual property and turn it into a product. This is why patents and partnerships are so important. Research is different from testing, perfecting, and manufacturing a product.
[07:30] It's important to communicate with the licensee about how regulation will impact them with the development of a product.
[09:00]  Emerging technologies and how to best protect intellectual property. Is this something we can patent? Or protected by copyright? This will influence how it's licensed.
[11:00] Bridging the gap between legal intricacies and scientific innovation includes explaining why the law matters and how to protect the property.
[12:27] Dr. Kadura talks about mentoring and still practicing the law. She also likes to point out ways that innovation that's coming out of the system is helping the world.
[15:28] We learn about strategies that help foster a culture of innovation within universities and research institutions. Most of this happens at the university level. Success stories help illustrate the effect of innovation. Training and engaging more faculty is also used.
[17:05] There are a lot of questions about the changes in march-in rights. The negative effect on tech transfer could be that licensees are less willing to work with us. 
[19:16] There will also continue to be a lot of activity around AI. The US patent office recently issued its guidance on ai-enabled inventions. There will also be a lot of regulation around data use.
[19:51] The most pressing priorities for tech transfer professionals include protecting and growing the tech transfer ecosystem for those of us who believe that tech transfer is good. This includes having the ability to identify the things that result in less tech transfer and less licensing.
[21:10] Keep your government regulation people informed and relate it back to the whole goal of higher education.

Resources: 
Sheila Kadura Associate General Counsel The University of Texas System
Sheila Kadura LinkedIn

One of our goals at AUTM is to foster greater inclusion in innovation. We are committed to providing guidance to our members and the wider technology transfer community on important global issues. This episode is about one of the newest EDI guides, the Nine Points to Consider for Fostering Greater Inclusion in Innovation. I’m excited to discuss these new guidelines with Almesha Campbell, Jennifer Gottwald, and Jane Muir.
Almesha Campbell and Jennifer Gottwald are members of the AUTM Women Inventors’ Special Interest Group (WISIG). They also contributed to the creation of this report. 
Almesha L. Campbell, Ph.D., is the Assistant Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Jackson State University (JSU) and the Immediate Past Board Chair of AUTM. She is acknowledged for her dedication to innovation and research translation. She advocates for incorporating innovation and entrepreneurship into the faculty's tenure and promotion criteria.
Jennifer Gottwald is a Director of Licensing at the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), where she has worked for over fifteen years. WARF manages the patenting and licensing for the University of Wisconsin – Madison (UW), the WiCell Research Institute, and the Morgridge Institute for Research. She is a founder and active member of the AUTM Women Inventors’ Special Interest Group (WISIG).
Jane Muir is recognized as a "Thought Leader" in innovation, with a remarkable 25-year career at the University of Florida specializing in technology commercialization and new venture creation. In 2017, she established Muir & Associates Consulting, providing strategic guidance to companies across the innovation lifecycle. 
Jane's expertise has made her a sought-after advisor, empowering businesses to achieve tangible results. Notably, she has served as the board chair of AUTM and was a founding member of the AUTM Women Inventors’ Special Interest Group (WISIG).

In This Episode:
[03:45] Jane explains how this document came about. It was inspired by a calendar of inventors that turned out to be all men. 
[05:13] When they decided to feature all women in the calendar, they had to lower the criteria because there weren't enough women inventors.
[05:40]  After many iterations, the AUTM board wanted to share this with leadership.
[06:54] How tech transfer offices can use this roadmap. It begins with engaging with women in tech transfer. We can have conversations about each point on campus. 
[08:38] Go through each point until you've made an impact in each area.
[09:14] Point 1 is about the lack of diversity and inclusion in all stages of the innovation life cycle. The first point is to acknowledge the lack of diversity in the innovation cycle.
[11:40] Point 2 is that greater inclusion of women and minorities in all phases of the innovation life cycle will ensure a greater diversity of products that address unmet needs that people from all backgrounds can benefit from.
[12:04] Look at the demographic background on campus and then have conversations about what the tech transfer office does.
[15:48] Point 3 Examples of biases and strategies that tech transfer offices can use to address these.
[16:54] We are always putting our own interpretation on what we hear.
[20:09] Point 4 It's very important to incorporate trainers that come from diverse backgrounds.
[21:37] Point 5 Encouraging participation of all faculty in innovation. Have recognition for the faculty that's innovating.
[26:55] Point 6 Why should efforts be made to ensure that all inventors are given the same level of service before, during and after the invention.
[28:32] Point 7 Equal consideration and support for all faculty. We need to be intentional about supporting everybody who could be an entrepreneur.
[31:43] Point 8 Programs should be considered that address the unmet needs and unique challenges faced by women and minorities in the technology commercialization process.
[32:00] We're not talking about giving any one

In the world of technology transfer, listening to diverse perspectives from across the globe isn't merely about understanding alternative methodologies; it's fundamentally about unlocking fresh ideas that can be integrated into our own organizations. 
Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Yoichi Oshima, the Vice President for Government and Industry Relations at Tokyo Tech.
With a background in electronics engineering, Yoichi possesses extensive experience in both patent examination and semiconductor-related domains. His career has been marked by various significant roles, including professorships and directorships at esteemed institutions such as Tohoku University and the Japan Patent Office. 
He is a pivotal figure in promoting collaboration between academia and industry through Tokyo Tech's Open Innovation Platform. As an authority in semiconductors, intellectual property, and innovation analysis, Yoichi has contributed to numerous publications, including "Intellectual Property Overview for Engineers."
We discuss Yoichi's background and his insights on collaboration between academia and industry. We dive into the role of intellectual property in shaping the landscape of tech transfer, especially amidst today's rapid technological advancements. We also explore efforts to foster innovation within academic institutions and initiatives promoting diversity. We cover the current state of tech transfer and the impact of emerging technologies like AI and IoT. Yoichi also offers advice for tech transfer professionals.

In This Episode:
[02:07] How Yoichi transitioned from electronic engineering to his current field. After working in the electronic field, Yoichi became a patent examiner. He then moved on to innovation and where he is now. 
[04:33] Yoichi talks about the evolution of semiconductors and diversity and innovation. Diversity and networking is very important for innovation.
[06:04] He has extensive experience in patent examination. Yoichi was a patent examiner for 20 years.
[06:23] The role of IP in tech transfer. A patent is an open way to do transfers. We need to make the patent system more efficient.
[07:21] Recent industry needs aren't clear. There are challenges that companies face including social issues. To find solutions we need to do design thinking, ask the question, and prototype. 
[09:06] Innovation thrives on diversity of thought and experience. Yoichi shares examples of promoting inclusion in the tech transfer space. Collaborating with other universities helps Tokyo Tech get the space needed for their experiments.
[11:05] They've also tried to collaborate with women's universities who don't have adequate engineering departments. Working in a complimentary way has helped develop diversity between the universities.
[12:44] As a senior aide to the President at Tokyo Tech, finding ways to help semiconductor engineers be more efficient intersects with his work in government and industry relations. It's similar to a mentorship position.
[14:07] The current state of tech transfer and what Yoichi envisions for its future in light of emerging technologies. The more diversity the more chance to network in a global way. IoT and AI will help with cross communication more than ever before.
[15:35] Tech transfer advice includes being proud of networking. It's essential for innovation. 
[16:24] Key Insights from Intellectual Property Overview for Engineers. Yoichi wrote this book, because at the time there weren't quality IP resources for engineers. 
[17:08] Engineers are interested in how to make a patent for their idea. This book is basic knowledge of how to develop your idea before patenting. Patents are how to make your idea/dream come true. 
[18:39] Yoichi shares an upcoming project that he is excited about. There's going to be a metaverse technology showcase that anyone from around the world can participate in.

Resources: 
Tokyo Tech: Open Innovation Platform
Yoichi Oshima

Academia plays a crucial role in societal progress, supported by significant public funds allocated to higher education and research institutions. However, this support is compromised by pervasive sexism within academia, leading to the loss of talented women and impeding scientific advancement.
Today, we're addressing a critical issue afflicting academia: sexism and its detrimental effects on science and public funding. Our discussion is inspired by the paper "Sexism In Academia Is Bad For Science And A Waste Of Public Funding," authored by Nicole Boivin, Susanne Täuber, Ulrike Beisiegel, Ursula Keller, and Janet G. Hering.
We're joined by Professor Janet Hering, Ulrike Beisiegel, and Ursula Keller to delve into the challenges and barriers women face in the academic world. Together, we'll examine the pervasive nature of sexism in academia and its consequences.
With a distinguished career beginning at Caltech and UCLA before her move to Switzerland in 2007, Professor Hering is the Director Emerita of the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science & Technology (Eawag) and Professor Emerita at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich (ETHZ) and Lausanne (EPFL).
She is a former Associate Editor of Environmental Science & Technology and a member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering and Academia Europaea. Professor Hering has played a pivotal role in advancing gender equality as the founding Vice Chair of the ETH Women Professors Forum and received a Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering Award from the IUPAC in 2015.
Ulrike Beisiegel brings extensive experience from her scientific career. She has held significant roles, including Professor of Biochemistry and Director of the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University Hospital in Hamburg, and as President of the University of Göttingen.
Ulrike has been an influential figure in the German academic system, with memberships in the German Science Council and the Max-Planck-Society. Her contributions have been acknowledged with honorary doctorates from the Medical Faculty of Umeå and the University of Edinburgh, ensuring her insights will enrich our discussion on sexism in academia.
Ursula Keller, a distinguished physics professor at ETH Zurich since 1993, is celebrated for her pioneering contributions to ultrafast science and technology. Keller's honors include the Swiss Science Prize Marcel Benoist, the OSA Frederic Ives Medal, and the SPIE Gold Medal.
Beyond academia, she has ventured into entrepreneurship, co-founding companies like Time-Bandwidth Products and K2 Photonics. She currently serves on the supervisory board of Jenoptik and has authored the graduate textbook "Ultrafast Lasers," published by Springer Verlag. Keller's expertise promises to add a dynamic layer to our conversation today.

In This Episode:
[03:58] The causes of gender imbalance and what can be done to correct it. Caring for families can inhibit women's careers. Academia is also dominated by male networks. There's also unconscious bias.
[04:37] Women need to become more resilient and courageous. Men need to be more open and accept different perspectives.
[05:08] The academic system has a large number of built-in incentives that encourage competitiveness and sometimes hostility. Awards are given to individuals in small groups even though science is done in large teams.
[06:15] Ursula talks about how the more successful she became, the less she was accepted. Bias towards women is a substantial problem. 
[07:45] Ulrike talks about how when women become highly qualified competitors, they become a threat to the male scientists. Female scientists are well tolerated when they adapt to the system and stay quiet.
[09:04] There are double standards for men and women in every sector. There has been harsh backlash against women in politics.
[09:42] When there's bad governance the power structure is ruled by informal networks.
[10:53] Power is masculine annot