Who We Are
The current OTTED staff is comprised of 17 individuals with expertise ranging from licensing, technology commercialization and business development to accounting, marketing and IT. OTTED is a diverse group with over 100 years of collective experience at Vanderbilt, as well as experience working outside of the university setting in areas such as law, science, medicine, engineering, HR, education, insurance, lab management, research and business consulting.
Brad Baird
CONTRACTS ADMIN./DATABASE SPECIALIST
615.322.4947 • E-mail Brad
Brad has over twenty years of experience serving in several departments at Vanderbilt. He first worked in various positions in the Medical Information Services Department before joining the Utilization Management Department as a Data Analyst. He joined OTTED in December 2001 where he manages the department's database and reporting program, provides computer support and is responsible for funding sponsor reporting and compliance.
Lee Bridges
PROGRAMMER/ANALYST
615.343.2464 • E-mail Lee
Lee joined OTTED in August 2008 and is responsible for developing and maintaining digital information services for the department. He ensures that relevant, up-to-date IP and license information is provided to the Vanderbilt community, as well as to investors and licensees. Lee also collaborates with the OTTED team members to optimize the internal efficiency of information management. Prior to joining OTTED, he worked as a librarian, programmer, web developer, technical skills trainer and technical writer in settings as diverse as university research labs, public libraries, and software companies. Lee received his MLIS from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Missouri.
Ashok Choudhury
SENIOR TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION ASSOCIATE
615.322.2503 • E-mail Ashok
Ashok joined OTTED in January 2007. He has over fifteen years of experience in managing all aspects of intellectual property and licensing at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He was the recipient of numerous technology transfer awards including a R&D 100 Award. Ashok is a metallurgist by training and stays involved in the technical community through teaching and advising activities. He received a Bachelor of Technology degree in Metallurgy from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India, and subsequently received Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Tennessee. Ashok is the co-author of two books on failure analysis. He is also a member of ASM International, Licensing Executives Society, Sigma Xi and Tau Beta Pi.
Janis Elsner
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
615.322.7056 • E-mail Janis
Janis has been involved in patent and licensing activities in OTTED since 1994. For twelve years prior to joining OTTED, she was laboratory manager in a Howard Hughes Medical Institute research lab at Vanderbilt in the Department of Pharmacology. Before coming to Vanderbilt in 1982, she worked as an accounts manager for a telecom startup company in Nashville. Janis has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Her primary responsibilities in OTTED are to assist the Director in setting goals and direction for the department, provide information to faculty and administration on intellectual property policy practices in academic research settings, evaluate, market, and license a portfolio of inventions, and provide leadership and guidance for a team of technology commercialization associates.
Robin Forester
ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT
615.343.4461 • E-mail Robin
Robin came to OTTED in April 2000 after fifteen years of experience in the insurance industry. She currently manages accounts receivable, accounts payable and licensing compliance, as well as handling a variety of other accounting responsibilities.
Jason Hinson
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
615.343.4457 • E-mail Jason
Jason joined OTTED in February 2006. He compiles and tracks departmental projections and budgets, while managing other financial data including revenue, legal reimbursements, patent expenses and income distributions. He began his career serving in various financial roles with SunTrust Equitable Securities and Nashville Bridge Company. Prior to joining OTTED, Jason received his MBA from Belmont University. He also holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Tennessee.
Catherine Julian
TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION ADMIN. SPECIALIST
615.322.8062 • E-mail Catherine
Catherine joined OTTED in June 2007. She is a member of the licensing and business development team providing assistance in identifying, evaluating, protecting, marketing and licensing university-developed technologies. Catherine received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from James Madison University and then earned her Paralegal Certificate from Southeastern Career College. Prior to joining OTTED, she worked for an intellectual property law firm outside of Washington, DC providing support in the areas of trademark and patent prosecution.
Kay Kiely
SENIOR EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
615.322.6751 • E-mail Kay
Kay was Executive Secretary to the Dean of the Vanderbilt Law School for four years before joining OTTED in March 2002. Prior to this she was an Administrative Assistant for the Departments of Orthopedics and Rehab Services at Vanderbilt Medical Center.
Mary Kosinski
TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION ASSOCIATE
615.322.9790 • E-mail Mary
Mary joined OTTED in May 2006 as a member of the licensing and business development team where she serves to identify, protect, market and license university-developed technologies. Mary received a Masters degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Nebraska and worked as a technician at the National Cancer Institute in Maryland. She then earned her Doctoral degree and did postdoctoral work in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at Vanderbilt.
Brian Laden
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
615.322.1067 • E-mail Brian
Brian joined OTTED in January of 2001 where he has served as a primary contact for a wide array of life science technologies. In addition to managing patent prosecution, marketing technologies and negotiating license deals with companies ranging from start-ups to big pharma, Brian has assisted in the management of the office's venture investment activities. Brian holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Toxicology from the University of Kentucky and did postdoctoral work in the Department of Biochemistry at Vanderbilt. He has recently been elected to the 2008 Board of Trustees for the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM).
Chris McKinney
DIRECTOR
615.343.2430 • E-mail Chris
Chris has over nineteen years of experience in university and federal laboratory technology transfer. He joined OTTED as its Director in June of 2001 after serving at the University of Tennessee Research Corporation. Additionally, he has worked in technology transfer at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Florida and the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. Chris also teaches Engineering Management courses in Vanderbilt's School of Engineering. He has served and presently serves on a number of for-profit and non-profit boards of directors, and he has also been very active in the Association of University Technology Managers, having previously served as AUTM’s Vice President for Professional Development. Chris holds a BA from Willamette University, an MBA from Oregon State University, and a doctorate from Idaho State University.
Catherine McRen
OFFICE ASSISTANT
615.343.2430 • E-mail Catherine
Catherine McRen joined OTTED in March 2008 as the Office Assistant. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from the University of California, Davis. Her past experience includes Human Resources Generalist work for Blue Diamond Growers and Vanderbilt University.
Lisa McWilliams
COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
615.343.2453 • E-mail Lisa
Lisa joined OTTED in August 2008 as the Communications Coordinator. She is responsible for internal marketing, public relations and communications within the Vanderbilt community, as well as external marketing of the university-developed technologies. Lisa received two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Advertising and Sociology from The University of Georgia. Prior to joining OTTED, she worked for three years as a Marketing Coordinator for The Beach Company, a real estate and development firm in Charleston, South Carolina.
Christopher Rand
MANAGER, NEW VENTURE DEVELOPMENT
615.343.4433 • E-mail Christopher
Christopher joined OTTED in 2003 as an Associate in the Enterprise Development function. In this role, Christopher works primarily with faculty members and entrepreneurs aspiring to start a company based on Vanderbilt technology. Prior to joining OTTED, Christopher completed his MBA at Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management. He began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers in its Corporate Valuation Consulting group, which provides business and intellectual property valuation and consulting services. Christopher received an undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame.
Peter Rousos
SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE
615.343.4465 • E-mail Peter
Peter has a diverse background in business and legal affairs. Prior to joining OTTED, he worked for the Vanderbilt University Technology Company, as well as for several of the start-up companies in which Vanderbilt invested. Before joining Vanderbilt, he worked in a variety of business and legal positions. Peter received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Pittsburgh.
Karen Rufus
SENIOR TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION ASSOCIATE
615.322.4295 • E-mail Karen
Karen joined OTTED in November 1999 and is responsible for reviewing and executing Material Transfer Agreements. In addition, she is involved in patenting and licensing activities. Prior to joining OTTED, Karen held research positions at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the University of Tennessee, Memphis-Health Sciences Center. Karen has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Tennessee State University, as well as a Master of Health Administration degree from the University of Memphis.
Lien Vo-Jones
TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION ADMIN. SPECIALIST
615.322.8339 • E-mail Lien
Lien joined OTTED in November 2008 as the Technology Commercialization Administrative Specialist. Lien supports start-up business activities for the office and performs evaluations and market assessments of Vanderbilt technology for commercial potential. Lien received a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services & Psychology from Lesley University and then earned her Masters of Art in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. Prior to joining OTTED, she worked for two years as the administrator for Nashville Capital Network.

