From Design to Development: Understanding Translational Research Seminar Series
This lunch & learn seminar series aims to provide a comprehensive overview to the journey of innovation from idea to market. It will cover critical aspects of intellectual property (IP) management, legal agreements, and commercialization strategies necessary for fostering innovation and industry collaboration. Participants will explore topics such as OIC’s in-house protocol for handling IP disclosures, patenting processes, licensing agreements, and industry partnerships.
The series will also address ethical considerations, including authorship ethics, research misconduct, and conflict of interest management. With practical insights into exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements as well as strategies for safeguarding proprietary information through Non-Disclosure and Material Transfer Agreements, this series will equip participants with the knowledge needed to maximize the commercial potential of their research.
Each session will enhance understanding of how research can be translated into impactful real-world applications, fostering a deeper connection between academia and industry.
Location: Student Center, Room 3104 and via Zoom
Time: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Lunch will be provided.
For questions, contact Megan McNab at mnmcnab@ua.edu.
Schedule
Seminar 1: From Disclosure to Patent: Navigating OIC’s IP Protection Process
Speaker: Megan McNab, Assistant Technology Manager, Office for Innovation & Commercialization, and Dr. Christopher L. Curfman, Principal, Meunier Carlin & Curfman IP Law
Date: October 22, 2024
Intellectual property (IP) protection is essential for safeguarding innovations and maximizing their commercial potential. This presentation will discuss the Office of Innovation and Commercialization’s (OIC) protocol for handling IP disclosures, securing patent protection, and outlining invention disclosures, provisional, and non-provisional patents. Participants will gain insights into IP management process and the benefits of legal protection for innovations.
Seminar 2: The OSP Lifecycle: From Proposal Submission to IP Management in Research
Speaker: Nichole Cavin, Executive Director, Office for Sponsored Programs
Date: November 15, 2024
Understanding the workflow of sponsored programs is crucial for researchers managing grants, contracts, and intellectual property. This presentation will provide an overview of UA’s Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP) and cover key steps from proposal submission to IP management. It will also offer insights into using the Cayuse system, focusing on the IP tab and its importance when a potential or existing IP is involved. Participants will gain a clear understanding of how to efficiently manage externally sponsored projects and IP.
Seminar 3: Integrity and Objectivity: A presentation about the pillars of ethical research
Speaker: Kory Trott, Director, Research Ethics & Compliance
Date: January 23, 2025
Integrity and objectivity are essential components of trustworthy research and innovation. This presentation will discuss authorship ethics, research misconduct, and the process for disclosing and managing financial conflicts of interest in research.
Seminar 4: Privacy Re-visited: How to Protect Your Research While Seeking Industry Engagement
Speaker: Hallie Leavell, Associate Director, Office for Research & Technology Agreements
Date: February 20, 2025
Legal agreements are crucial for safeguarding proprietary information and ensuring clear terms in research collaborations. This presentation will discuss how agreements, such as Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA), Material Transfer Agreements (MTA), and Inter-Institutional Agreements (IIA), protect sensitive data, clarify IP ownership, and promote effective collaboration in research and development.
Seminar 5: Transforming Research into Revenue: The Licensing Process for IP
Speaker: Dr. Nghia Chiem, Director, Office for Innovation & Commercialization
Date: March 20, 2025
Licensing is a key mechanism for transforming research into real-world applications and generating revenue from innovations. This presentation will focus on the licensing process, its importance in the commercialization of inventions, and the advantages of industry collaboration in developing innovative technologies.