Vanderbilt University
Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization
1207 17th Avenue South, Suite 105
Nashville, Tennessee 37212-2838
Campus Mailing Address: Box 320 GPC
Phone: 615.343.2430
Fax: 615.343.4419
Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization
1207 17th Avenue South, Suite 105
Nashville, Tennessee 37212-2838
Campus Mailing Address: Box 320 GPC
Phone: 615.343.2430
Fax: 615.343.4419
Alan joined CTTC in June 2011 and is responsible for directing all aspects of the office, focusing on faculty service and transactional efficiency. Prior to Vanderbilt, Alan served for five years as the Director of Commercialization for Cleveland Clinic Innovations, that health care center’s technology commercialization function. Before the Cleveland Clinic, he served as the Associate Director of the University of Virginia’s Patent Foundation.
Alan received his masters degree in physics from the University of Virginia, and separate bachelors degrees in electrical engineering and in physics from Carnegie Mellon University. Alan is a registered patent agent and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of University Technology Managers.
Chris Harris joined the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC) in October 2011 and is responsible for leading all licensing activities. Prior to joining CTTC, Chris was the Associate Director for Licensing at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado where he managed a team of licensing executives. He was also previously the Senior Licensing Manager at the University of Virginia Patent Foundation.
Chris received his doctorate in nuclear physics from the University of Virginia in 2001. In 2003, he became a registered U.S. Patent Agent and in 2008 he became a Certified Licensing Professional. He is also an active member of the Association of University Technology Managers and helped create and manage the AUTM TransACT database for deal comps. Chris also provides guest lectures for entrepreneurship classes at Vanderbilt.
Prior to his graduate school career, Chris worked as a software design engineer for Martin Marietta in King of Prussia, Pa. where he helped design command and control type software for a classified contract.
Kenneth J. Holroyd, M.D., MBA is Medical Director for the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization, and also holds appointments as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research, and Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Medicine. Joining Vanderbilt University in 2005, Ken is on the Board of Directors of Cumberland Emerging Technologies, the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation, Informatics Corporation of America (ICA), Acuitec, digiChart, and Friends in Global Health. He is past Co-Chair of the Public-Private Partnership Committee of the National Institutes of Health’s Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program. At Vanderbilt his clinical practice of medicine is in Anesthesiology. Ken was in the biopharmaceutical industry for seven years, at Magainin Pharmaceuticals and Genaera Corporation, where he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Previously he was a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and at Johns Hopkins University, where his research interests included the genetics and molecular biology of asthma. Ken received his residency training in internal medicine and in anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins Hospital and University, and in pulmonary medicine at the National Institutes of Health. Johns Hopkins University awarded him the M.D. degree in 1984.
Peter joined CTTC in May 2003 and works with Vanderbilt faculty who develop software, educational products, content and medical devices. Peter also works with startup companies who commercialize Vanderbilt intellectual property, and he is also responsible for the office’s e-commerce website, VUeInnovations.com. Prior to joining CTTC, Peter worked with the Vanderbilt University Technology Company starting companies that commercialized Vanderbilt technology and helped those companies draft business plans, find management and secure funding. Prior to that, he worked in several business and legal positions. He has served and currently serves on a number of nonprofit and for-profit boards. Peter received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Pittsburgh and is a member of the Association of University Technology Managers.
Christopher Rowe is executive director for industry collaborations in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, working on the Vice Provost’s team and with the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization. In this new role, he leads the institution’s efforts to create and expand mutually beneficial industry research collaborations that advance strategic scientific programs, solves industry-relevant research and development challenges, and provides channels to deploy and commercialize new technologies of substantial societal impact. He holds faculty appointments in engineering management and communication of science and technology. Prior to his current role, he served as associate dean for external relations, communications director, and inaugural faculty director for the A. James Clark Scholars Program in the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering.
Professor Rowe has authored scholarly papers on first-year engineering education, tech-based entrepreneurship, global engineering education and commercialization strategies for new technologies. He has held leadership positions in the American Society for Engineering Education; is a member of the American Society for Engineering Management, the Council of Engineering Management Academic Leaders, and the Association of University Technology Managers; and completed ABET’s Institute for the Development of Excellence in Assessment Leadership. He holds degrees in biomedical engineering and management of technology from the Vanderbilt School of Engineering and a doctorate in higher education leadership and policy from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College. He has consulted with a wide range of engineering companies, focusing on high-tech startups developing commercialization strategies.
Development and management of the Deerfield Alliance and biotech partnerships
Management of MTAs, CDAs and other collaboration agreements
Karen joined CTTC in November 1999 and is responsible for commercializing life science technologies. Prior to joining CTTC, Karen held research positions at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center where she conducted research in infectious diseases and reproductive endocrinology.
Karen received a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Tennessee State University, a master’s degree in Health Administration from the University of Memphis, and a doctorate degree in Health Administration from Central Michigan University. Karen is a member of the Association of University Technology Managers, the Licensing Executive Society, and the National Association of Health Services Executives.
Nadine joined CTTC in July 2018 and is responsible for administrative support for a variety of department functions including staff support, scheduling, detailed data collection and entry, procurement, and assisting in government reporting activities.
Prior to joining CTTC, Nadine was a Elementary and Special Needs school teacher for 11 years at the Christian Missionary School and The American Community School in Amman, Jordan.
Deja joined CTTC in August 2022 and is responsible for handling and negotiating Material Transfer Agreements, Confidential Disclosure Agreements, and CTTC-related Sponsored Research Agreements.
Before joining CTTC, Deja was a Litigation Project Assistant at Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, where she collaborated with attorneys and paralegals within the Products Liability practice group, specializing in Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices defense. During law school, Deja represented survivors of domestic violence in 50B Domestic Violence Protective Order matters under a North Carolina State Bar 3L Practice License as a Student Attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina. She also served as a Law Clerk for The Child's Advocate, a project of Legal Aid of North Carolina, in Durham, North Carolina, where she attended law school.
Deja received her B.A. in English with a concentration in Rhetoric and Composition from Georgia State University and her J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law. Deja is a member of the Association of University Technology Managers.
Facilitating start-up company development, launch and growth
Peter joined CTTC in May 2003 and works with Vanderbilt faculty who develop software, educational products, content and medical devices. Peter also works with startup companies who commercialize Vanderbilt intellectual property, and he is also responsible for the office’s e-commerce website, VUeInnovations.com. Prior to joining CTTC, Peter worked with the Vanderbilt University Technology Company starting companies that commercialized Vanderbilt technology and helped those companies draft business plans, find management and secure funding. Prior to that, he worked in several business and legal positions. He has served and currently serves on a number of nonprofit and for-profit boards. Peter received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Pittsburgh and is a member of the Association of University Technology Managers.
George joined the CTTC in August 2019 and is responsible for developing the new ventures and other business opportunities of Vanderbilt affiliates. Prior to joining CTTC, George managed the operations of the Vanderbilt Ophthalmic Contract Research Organization within VUMC and prior to that for the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science. George has a wide-range of experience in biomedical research and business development, which includes work in PET/CT, MRI, cancer, neuropharmacology, electrophysiology, and ophthalmology. While he has spent his career associated with academic institutions, he has also worked closely with industry sponsors contracting research with VU and VUMC.
George received a B.A. in Psychology and Medicine, Health, & Society from Vanderbilt University, an M.S. from Kaplan University in Financial Analysis, and an M.L.I. in Neuropharmacology & Imaging Methods from the Vanderbilt School of Medicine. George is a member of the Project Management Institute with a PMP certification.
Cameron joined the CTTC in September 2022 and works with the New Ventures team to provide service to faculty and to the administration to help conceive, plan, start, and operate companies that commercialize IP owned by Vanderbilt.
Prior to joining CTTC, Cameron was the Co-Founder, President and COO of X Co, an early-stage technology accelerator in Reno and Las Vegas with a portfolio of nine startup companies. Cameron has experience working with a variety of founders and accredited investors in SaaS, Fintech, Hospitality Tech, and Gaming Tech.
Before working in venture, Cameron served as an educator and the Director of Marketing and Development for Sage Ridge School, a premier college preparatory institution.
Cameron received his Masters in Theatre Production and Design from Southern Oregon University, and his B.A. in English from Washington State University. Cameron recently completed his certification in Venture Capital from Berkeley Law.
Heather McMillan joined CTTC in July of 2013 and is the New Ventures Coordinator. Prior to joining CTTC, Heather was responsible for supporting the Chief of Staff for VUH. She is currently attending Belmont University.
Facilitating partnerships with industry to advance research programs
Christopher Rowe is executive director for industry collaborations in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, working on the Vice Provost’s team and with the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization. In this new role, he leads the institution’s efforts to create and expand mutually beneficial industry research collaborations that advance strategic scientific programs, solves industry-relevant research and development challenges, and provides channels to deploy and commercialize new technologies of substantial societal impact. He holds faculty appointments in engineering management and communication of science and technology. Prior to his current role, he served as associate dean for external relations, communications director, and inaugural faculty director for the A. James Clark Scholars Program in the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering.
Professor Rowe has authored scholarly papers on first-year engineering education, tech-based entrepreneurship, global engineering education and commercialization strategies for new technologies. He has held leadership positions in the American Society for Engineering Education; is a member of the American Society for Engineering Management, the Council of Engineering Management Academic Leaders, and the Association of University Technology Managers; and completed ABET’s Institute for the Development of Excellence in Assessment Leadership. He holds degrees in biomedical engineering and management of technology from the Vanderbilt School of Engineering and a doctorate in higher education leadership and policy from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College. He has consulted with a wide range of engineering companies, focusing on high-tech startups developing commercialization strategies.
Commercialization via licensing to industry partners
Chris Harris joined the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC) in October 2011 and is responsible for leading all licensing activities. Prior to joining CTTC, Chris was the Associate Director for Licensing at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado where he managed a team of licensing executives. He was also previously the Senior Licensing Manager at the University of Virginia Patent Foundation.
Chris received his doctorate in nuclear physics from the University of Virginia in 2001. In 2003, he became a registered U.S. Patent Agent and in 2008 he became a Certified Licensing Professional. He is also an active member of the Association of University Technology Managers and helped create and manage the AUTM TransACT database for deal comps. Chris also provides guest lectures for entrepreneurship classes at Vanderbilt.
Prior to his graduate school career, Chris worked as a software design engineer for Martin Marietta in King of Prussia, Pa. where he helped design command and control type software for a classified contract.
Coordinating the protection of IP assets
Assisting faculty with regulatory and IRB issues
Kenneth J. Holroyd, M.D., MBA is Medical Director for the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization, and also holds appointments as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research, and Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Medicine. Joining Vanderbilt University in 2005, Ken is on the Board of Directors of Cumberland Emerging Technologies, the Tennessee Technology Development Corporation, Informatics Corporation of America (ICA), Acuitec, digiChart, and Friends in Global Health. He is past Co-Chair of the Public-Private Partnership Committee of the National Institutes of Health’s Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program. At Vanderbilt his clinical practice of medicine is in Anesthesiology. Ken was in the biopharmaceutical industry for seven years, at Magainin Pharmaceuticals and Genaera Corporation, where he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Previously he was a faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and at Johns Hopkins University, where his research interests included the genetics and molecular biology of asthma. Ken received his residency training in internal medicine and in anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins Hospital and University, and in pulmonary medicine at the National Institutes of Health. Johns Hopkins University awarded him the M.D. degree in 1984.
Lu Ellen began working at CTTC in March of 2014 and provides FDA regulatory guidance to Vanderbilt researchers developing and investigating medical devices. Lu Ellen has been employed at Vanderbilt for a number of years, initially as an RN in the SICU. She has 14 years of human subjects protections experience under the VHRPP and VICTR. She holds a Master’s degree in Regulatory Affairs for Drugs, Devices and Biologics from Northeastern University in Boston, and a BSN degree from Austin Peay University.
Messaging the innovations created by Vanderbilt’s faculty and researchers
Sarah Sommer joined CTTC in August of 2015 and specializes in the marketing and communication efforts for the center. Sarah is a Nashville native and comes from a background in marketing for online news sites and various tech companies. She earned a B.S. in Psychology in 2018 from Lipscomb University and a certification in Digital Marketing from Vanderbilt University in 2021.
Sarah has lived in Nashville since 2008 and comes from a background in communications and marketing for online news sites and tech companies.
Overseeing daily operations of CTTC
Becky Mullen joined CTTC in September 2011 and is primarily responsible for supporting Assistant Vice Chancellor Alan Bentley and Medical Director Ken Holroyd. She has served Vanderbilt University in a variety of capacities for more than 25 years, and her vast knowledge and experience allow her to efficiently manage various functions of the CTTC team.
Management of royalties, budgets and all finance issues for tech transfer
Sherrie joined CTTC in August of 2013 and is responsible for assisting with the management of the financial affairs of the department. Prior to joining Vanderbilt, Sherrie was a Tax Accountant for Osborne and Co. in Brentwood as well as a part time accounting specialist for OI, Inc. in Franklin. She also spent seven years with Nissan North America in various financial and systems analyst roles. Sherrie received both her Masters of Accountancy and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Tennessee and is a CPA (Inactive).
Angela joined CTTC in April 2017 and is responsible for assisting with the management of the financial affairs. Prior to joining CTTC, Angela worked at Vanderbilt in Enrollment Management for 14 years. She is currently studying Accounting and has an Associate's degree in Business Management.
Sean joined CTTC in July 2018 and assists with managing the center's financial affairs. Prior to joining Vanderbilt, Sean was a Financial Analyst at Epic in Verona, Wisconsin. Sean received his Masters of Science in Accounting from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.