Innovation and Tech Transfer What is in it for me?

Office of Research & Sponsored Programs

GRANTS EXPO & RESEARCH WEEK

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Thursday, April 22, 2021 Innovation and Tech Transfer: What is in it for me?

10:00 AM to 11:00 AM The Commercializer, LLC presents: "Innovation and Tech Transfer" Moderators:

Janeya Griffin, The Commercializer™ - a strategy consultant, serial and social entrepreneur, advocate for Intellectual property, ownership, inclusive innovation, social justice, and generational wealth, specifically within underserved communities. A HBCU STEM graduate, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and the daughter of two formerly incarcerated individuals; at the young age of 16 she and her younger brother of 6 were introduced into the world of what it meant to experience hardship. Not knowing it would be a catalyst in helping her to fulfill her purpose.

In addition, she is Co-founder and the Chief Strategy Officer of a creative agency called ConCreates, focused on serving the men, women, and children both behind and beyond bars, including changing the narrative and stigma behind how society views people with criminal histories and how people with criminal histories view themselves.

Nona Cheeks, MBA is founder/CEO of Innovatyr, LLC an applied science and technology consulting firm and former Chief of the Strategic Partnerships Office at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center. In this role she directed the Technology Transfer, Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Research, and Global Partnerships initiatives.

Nona has been an invited speaker to many domestic and international conferences on the topic of technology commercialization. Nona is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Loyola University of Maryland. She also studied and earned certificates in leadership and management at the University of Chicago’s School of Business and Simmons College. Nona enjoys working with youth and young adults in exploring technology commercialization and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Thursday, April 22, 2021 Innovation and Tech Transfer: What is in it for me?

(Continued) Panelists:

Dr. Michael L. Curry currently

Donald H. White, Ph.D., is a

serves as an Associate Professor in

chemist from Richmond, Ca. and a

the Department of Chemistry and

graduate of John F. Kennedy High

Adjunct Associate Professor in the

School located on Richmond’s

Department of Materials Science

Southside in the heart of the San

and Engineering at Tuskegee

Francisco Bay Area.

University. He received his Bachelor

Dr. White earned his bachelor’s and

of Science degree in Chemistry

Master’s in Chemistry and his PhD in

with a minor in Mathematics from

Material Science & Engineering

the University of West Alabama and

from the illustrious Tuskegee

earned his PhD in Analytical

University. As a Tri-Alumnus, his

Chemistry from The University of

research includes the synthesis,

Alabama. As a university professor

derivation, and incorporation of

and researcher focused on building

nanocellulose into synthetic

a more sustainable future, Dr. Curry,

polymers. As a graduate student at

President, founder and CEO of

Tuskegee he was a part of one of

Eco-friendly Plastic Materials and

the largest multidisciplinary

The Color of STEM Foundation,

consortia funded by The National

dedicates his lifework to creating

Science Foundation: The Center for

the next wave of minority

Sustainable Nanotechnology (CSN).

innovators. His goal is to increase

Dr. White’s passion in research has

the number of highly trained

led him into his mission of STEM

minority professionals within the

education under the trade name Da

STEM and entrepreneurship

Chemist he goes into the public-

pipelines, strategically move the

school system to teach kids in

needle forward on minority-inspired

middle and high school the

innovation, and powerfully influence

importance of chemistry. This has

the movement of STEM diversity.

led Dr. White to author a children’s chemistry book which teaches basic laboratory skills and chemical concepts.