Beyond the Lab: Turning Research into Partnerships, Products, and Impact
The University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University are partnering to bring two engaging panel discussions exploring how groundbreaking university research becomes real-world impact. Hear from faculty innovators, investors, technology transfer leaders, and corporate partners as they discuss the challenges, opportunities, and partnerships that drive successful commercialization.
Feel free to stop by for just one, or attend both!
3:00 - 3:45PM - Candid Roundtable on De-Risking, Unmet Needs, and Commercialization Challenges
This roundtable for faculty innovators and commercialization leaders will be a candid discussion on the challenges of moving research toward real-world adoption.
The conversation will focus on what “de-risking” actually means in practice: technical validation, market validation, customer discovery, regulatory pathways, translational funding, or the right industry partnerships.
Moderated by Kelly Collier, Director of Ecosystem Development at LifeX
Panelists include:
Dr. Carl Snyderman, Professor of otolaryngology and neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and otolaryngology director of the UPMC Center for Cranial Base Surgery
Jordyn Ting, Postdoctoral associate in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh
More to come!
Core questions:
What does de-risking mean from a faculty, investor, and corporate partner perspective?
Where are the biggest unmet needs that industry wants universities to solve?
What kinds of evidence, validation, or milestones make a technology more fundable?
How can faculty and industry engage earlier to shape translational research?
3:45 - 4:30PM - The World of IP - Blocking and Tackling Commercialization Panel
This panel will bring together technology transfer leaders from CMU and Pitt, alongside corporate and industry partners who actively evaluate and commercialize university IP.
A central theme will be the “valley of death” between research and commercialization.
Panelists will discuss what makes IP attractive to corporate partners.
Panelists Include:
Scott Morley – Senior Director, Office of Industry & Economic Partnerships
More to come!
Core questions:
What does “available IP” look like from a university and industry perspective?
How do corporate partners evaluate emerging university technologies?
What are the biggest gaps between invention disclosure and commercialization?
How can industry engage earlier with faculty and research teams?
What funding or partnership models can help de-risk promising technologies?