This fall, the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC) is launching a new Lunch and Learn series designed to help faculty translate their research discoveries into meaningful real-world applications. Through this series, researchers will gain valuable insights into innovation, intellectual property, commercialization pathways, and the startup landscape—all while balancing their academic careers. See below for upcoming events in the series.
Can Patents Block My Research? Navigating Innovation and Intellectual Property
- Date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025
- Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Location: Vanderbilt University Alumni Hall Memorial Room (2205 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37240)
- Speaker: Alan Bentley, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Development
Join us for an engaging discussion led by Alan Bentley, who will discuss how to navigate the intellectual property landscape while advancing innovation in your field. Learn more and register here.
Making an Impact While Keeping Your Day Job: How to Commercialize Research While Staying True to Academic Values and Career Goals
- Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
- Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Location: Vanderbilt University Alumni Hall Memorial Room (2205 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37240)
- Speaker: Panel featuring James Weimer, Ph.D.; Abhishek Dubey, Ph.D.; and Duke Herrell, MD, FACS
This panel session will include insights into how faculty can pursue innovation and entrepreneurial activities while balancing their research, teaching, and clinical responsibilities. Lunch will be provided to the first 50 attendees to arrive. Registration is now closed, but walk-ins are still welcome! Learn more and register here.
From Idea to IP: What every researcher should know about protecting their innovations
- Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Location: Vanderbilt University Alumni Hall Memorial Room (2205 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37240)
- Featuring: Alan Bentley, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Technology Transfer & Intellectual Property Development
Join the Vanderbilt Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization for a Lunch & Learn! Lunch will be provided to the first 50 attendees to arrive. Alan Bentley will cover everything researchers need to know about turning ideas into protected intellectual property and pathways to commercialization. Learn more and register here.
The Honest Truth about Starting a Company: Challenges and Insights from the World of Startups
- Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
- Location: Vanderbilt University Alumni Hall Memorial Room (2205 West End Ave, Nashville, TN 37240)
- Speaker: TBD
Get the real story — successes, failures, and lessons learned — from Vanderbilt entrepreneurs who have launched startups. Lunch provided to the first 50 attendees. More details and registration link coming soon.
Stay tuned for updates as we finalize event details. To stay informed about this series and other innovation-related programming, subscribe to our Tech Connect newsletter and never miss an opportunity to learn, grow and make an impact.
Last updated: November 20, 2025