Technology Transfer Services Team
We help researchers, postdoctoral fellows, staff, and students explore commercial potential for their innovations; we support intellectual property (IP) strategy and protection, interactions with industry partners and spinoff company initiation.
Services
- Technology Transfer and Licensing – provide invention/intellectual property guidance to researchers, identify the commercialization potential of research-driven discoveries and innovations, and negotiate commercialization agreements.
- Innovation and Partnerships – provide innovation and commercialization resources to researchers, students, and alumni. Create strategic partnerships with industry, and help U of A spinoffs, inventors and entrepreneurs grow, scale and succeed.
- Administration – management of patents, legal and financial records, and general inquiries about the Inventor Portal.
Meet our team below and contact us to find out how we can help you.
Team Biographies
Technology Transfer and Licensing
Joanna Preston, MBA
Director, Technology Transfer
Contact
T: 780.492.7120 (please use cell during COVID)
C: 780.265.1075
jpreston@ualberta.ca
Background and expertise
Joanna works with University of Alberta researchers and innovators to assess, protect and negotiate commercialization opportunities for health and life sciences innovations and discoveries.
- B.Sc. (Specialization Genetics); MBA (Technology Commercialization)
- Associate director, technology management (health sciences), TEC Edmonton (2005-2020)
- Technology Management Officer, Industry Liaison Office, University of Alberta (1999-2004)
- Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) member
Quang Tran, PhD
Associate Director Licensing - Health Sciences
Contact
780.492.6254 (during COVID)
qmtran@ualberta.ca
Background and expertise
Quang works with University of Alberta researchers and innovators to identify and assess intellectual property, manage the IP protection process, and commercialize new discoveries in health and life sciences.
- Ph.D. (Biochemistry), B.Sc. (Honors Biochemistry)
- Technology Management Officer, TEC Edmonton (2014-2020)
- Technology Analyst, Innovate Calgary (2012-2014)
- Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) member
Robert Carruthers, MSc
Associate Director Licensing - Natural Sciences & Engineering
Contact
825-601-5559
rwcarruthers@ualberta.ca
Background and expertise
Robert helps researchers, postdocs and other inventors identify and advance the commercialization potential of research-driven projects and innovations, helping them navigate the commercialization process including assessing and protecting IP, connecting with commercial partners, and negotiating associated contracts.
- M.Sc. (Electrical Engineering)
- Manager, Licensing, FPInnovations (2015 – 2020)
- Sr. Intellectual Property Manager/Licensing Manager, Innovate Calgary (2010–2015)
- Technology Analyst, University Technologies Intl. (2007 – 2010)
David Chang, PhD
Director, Innovation & Partnerships
Contact
780.718.3163
dc@ualberta.ca
Background and expertise
With an engineering, software and life sciences background, David has decades of experience in startups and now leads his team to support innovation initiatives and strategic partnerships at the University of Alberta.
- Ph.D. (Chemical and Materials Engineering, Computer Process Control specialization); M.A.Sc. and B.A.Sc. (Chemical Engineering)
- CEO/COO, Metabolomic Technologies (2015-2020)
- Director of Products and Services, Chenomx (2009-2014)
Claire Kay
Special Projects Manager
Contact
Background and expertise
With a background in university technology transfer and in tech startups, Claire Manages the Innovation Catalyst Grant (ICG) program at the University of Alberta as well as the Lab2Market Validate program, delivered pan-provinically.
Leanne Petrin
Business Development Project Manager
Contact
Background and expertise
Combining her nonprofit and business development background, Leanne enables connectors between the University and Industry in the portfolio of Research and Innovation.
Savannah Lane
Startup Specialist
Contact
Background and expertise
Savannah supports startups, spin-offs, researchers, alumni and entrepreneurs with connection and facilitation to startup resources at the University of Alberta and throughout Alberta's ecosystem
Administration, Contracts, and IP Management
Brenda Service
Intellectual Property Manager
Contact
780.492.1584
bservice@ualberta.ca
Background and expertise
Brenda works with University of Alberta researchers and innovators to protect inventions through intellectual property filings and management.
- Paralegal Studies, MacEwan University
- Intellectual Property Paralegal, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Informatics and Intellectual Property Manager, TEC Edmonton (2008-2020)
- Legal Assistant, Industry Liaison Office, University of Alberta (1996-2000)
- Informatics and Intellectual Property Manager, Industry Liaison Office, University of Alberta (2000-2008)
- Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) member
Kristy Mullen, BA, BCom
Administrative Coordinator
Contact
Background and expertise
TTS's primary data administrative contact, Kristy supports the team in administrative, reporting, and operational needs.
- BA (German), BCom (Business Technology Management)
- Administrative experience in various organizations
Sayali Warad
IP/Market Analyst
Contact
Background and expertise
Sayali works with the University of TTS to market technologies to industry, connect with commercial partners, and assist associate directors in assessing early-stage IP.
- MBA (Marketing), Engineering (Electronic & Telecommunication)
- Market Research Analyst experience in various organizations
- Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) member
Helia Hosseini Nejad
IP/Market Analyst
Contact
780.492.1584
heliasad@ualberta.ca
Background and expertise
Helia supports the technology transfer services team to assess intellectual property, analyze markets and commercialize new innovations and discoveries.
- B.Sc. (Materials Science and Engineering); M.Sc. (Chemistry)
- Associate Scientist, Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation API (2021-2022)
- Research Assistant, University of Alberta (2022-2023)
- Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) member
Kelvin Cole
IP/Market Analyst
Contact
Background and expertise
Kelvin works with researchers and the TTS team to assess intellectual property and seek out commercialization and licensing opportunities.
- M.Sc. (Plant molecular biology)
- Industry Partnerships, Athabasca University
- Patent Assistant and Research Partnerships, Queen’s University
- Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) member