CALLING GRADUATE STUDENTS AND POSTDOCS
WARF Ambassadors enhance the important connection between research on campus and technology transfer at WARF. We’re looking for creative, energetic graduate students and postdocs from scientific or technical disciplines who are interested in learning more about the tech transfer process.
Become an Ambassador
Contact Beth (Werner) Fischer, Director of IP, Life Sciences at [email protected] to learn more.
You will:
- Gain leadership skills by organizing events and leading presentations.
- Build your network of tech transfer professionals and peers across campus.
- Plan to spend about 10 hours per month on Ambassador projects.
- Help PIs and graduate students understand how their technology can positively impact the world through technology transfer.
We will:
- Teach you about patents, licensing and related career opportunities.
- Use your firsthand insights to inform new initiatives at WARF.
- Facilitate networking and career and social opportunities to help you build your resume.
Meet Our Current WARF Ambassadors
Roma Broadberry
Department: Morgridge Institute, Biophysics Program
Major Professor: Tim Grant
Email: [email protected]
Background: Develops cryo-EM methodologies for structural determination of biomolecules.
Quinn Burke
Department: Computer Science
Major Professor: Patrick McDaniel
Email: [email protected]
Background: Researches cybersecurity, designing new ways to keep digital information and systems safe from online threats so your data stays private and secure.
Tina Dang
Department: Pharmacy
Major Professor: Lingjun Li
Email: [email protected]
Background: Utilizes mass spectrometry techniques to research peptides and optimizing database searching algorithms for analysis of mass spectra.
Nina Denne
Department: Cellular & Molecular Biology
Major Professor: Krishanu Saha
Email: [email protected]
Background: Develops microphysiological platforms to study the evolution of the tumor microenvironment, its impact on memory-like NK cells, and strategies to enhance NK cell resilience in hostile tumor conditions.
Haley Deorio
Department: Biomolecular Chemistry
Major Professor: James Keck
Email: [email protected]
Background: Uses single-molecule biophysics and in vitro biochemistry to interrogate protein complexes that restart failed replication events.
Anna Dickfoss
Department: Medical Microbiology & Immunology
Major Professor: Mark Mandel
Email: [email protected]
Background: Studies the regulation of biofilm formation in a bacterial symbiont to determine the mechanisms behind bacterial colonization and host specificity.
Daniel Idowu
Department: Genetics/ GLBRC
Major Professor: Timothy Donohue
Email: [email protected]
Background: Utilizes the genetic and metabolic mechanisms of Novosphingobium Aromaticivorans for bioproduct synthesis and alternatives to petrochemicals.
Chenli Jia
Department: Materials Science & Engineering
Major Professor: Xudong Wang
Email: [email protected]
Background: Investigates the self-assembly and block copolymer-guided crystallization of piezoelectric biocrystals.
Noah Lancaster
Department: Chemistry
Major Professor: Joshua Coon
Email: [email protected]
Background: Develops mass spectrometry technologies to improve protein and proteomic characterization.
Aiping Liu
Department: Surgery
Major Professor: Angela Gibson
Email: [email protected]
Background: Researches wound healing, focusing on burn wounds.
Tara Loughery
Department: Neuroscience Training Program
Major Professor: Tim Gomez
Email: [email protected]
Background: Studies the cell and molecular pathways involved in pioneering motor neuron axons exiting the spinal cord.
Rithvik Turaga
Department: Biomedical Engineering and Dermatology
Major Professor: Jose Ayuso
Email: [email protected]
Background: Develops microphysiological platforms to study the evolution of the tumor microenvironment, its impact on memory-like NK cells, and strategies to enhance NK cell resilience in hostile tumor conditions.
Holly Weilbaker
Department: Chemistry
Major Professor: Andrew Buller
Email: [email protected]
Background: Develops enzyme biocatalysts to synthesize noncanonical amino acids.
Seth Zima
Department: Biomedical Engineering and Dermatology
Major Professor: Jose Ayuso
Email: [email protected]
Background: Develops microfluidic platforms for immune cell metabolism investigation, cell manufacturing, and cancer immunotherapy screening.