Administrative assistant tackles diverse set of job duties with enthusiasm


A graphic shows Tammi Bramlett on the left and reads Unsung Hero, Tammi Bramlett, KU Center for Technology Commercialization
 

Tammi Bramlett | Senior Administrative Assistant | KU Center for Technology Commercialization

Tammi Bramlett knows how to do a little of everything. As the senior administrative assistant for the KU Center for Technology Commercialization, she doesn’t stop at her regular job duties. She often takes on additional responsibilities to help her team.

"She never shies away from a challenge and is the first person to offer help,” said Bridget Stull, KUCTC director of administration and systems.

KUCTC helps bring KU-developed research expertise and technology to the marketplace. Bramlett often assumes extra work to see a project to completion. KUCTC recently revamped its online invention disclosure form to make it more accessible and easier for researchers. Bramlett tested the form repeatedly — even from the perspective of a researcher — to ensure the best experience for the user.

“Tammi has a very positive outlook and makes valuable contributions to our office,” said Rajiv Kulkarni, KUCTC director of technology commercialization. “She enjoys undertaking new projects.”

Bramlett has also been influential in facilitating KUCTC’s many educational and outreach programs. In 2018, the National Institutes of Health awarded the university funding to become part of the Sustainable Heartland Accelerator Regional Partnership Hub, which assists faculty and student innovators in fast-tracking early stage science and biomedical technologies into startup companies. Bramlett helps plan and organize SHARPhub events.

“Tammi stepped into the administrative support role with ease and most importantly, enthusiasm,” Stull said.

Bramlett also plans Meet the Entrepreneur, an event to educate faculty, staff and students on the how-tos of becoming an entrepreneur. For the bimonthly virtual series, Bramlett designs website and registration pages, makes promotional flyers, schedules speakers and more — all on top of her regular duties.

“Tammi was happy to take on the responsibility,” Stull said.

KUCTC also hosts Startup School, a program to teach participants about value proposition, revenue models, and the NIH SBIR/STTR grant programs. Bramlett served as secretary in the planning meetings to launch the program. She also promoted and coordinated the event, which was last held in January and February of 2020.

Bramlett stays constantly organized for herself and her office. Another of her many duties includes managing and executing intellectual property assignment agreements — an exercise requiring the utmost attention to detail, Stull said. The agreements demand several steps on a tight deadline, including contacting and eliciting signatures from inventors, submitting agreements, and following up with everyone involved.

Through all her work, Bramlett remains calm, consistent and optimistic.

“Tammi never fails to see the best in people, and it shows in the way she interacts with colleagues, faculty and staff,” Stull said.