Meet the KUCTC licensing team

Have you ever wondered what happens after you disclose an invention? Or how your ideas might eventually become a product? Maybe you have a great lead on a company that’s interested in a discovery made from your research. If so, you might also be wondering what to do next. At the KU Center for Technology Commercialization, our licensing professionals are here to help. Our team’s resume boasts three PhDs, two JDs, a certified licensing professional, and a couple of registered patent attorneys for good measure. That’s a lot of know-how in your corner. This month, we’d like to introduce you to our tech transfer team of experts, including two new hires who recently joined up as Jayhawks.

Clifford Michaels, PhD, CLP, RTTP
Executive Director
Our fearless leader and resident goodie baker, Cliff brings more than 16 years of experience in academic technology transfer, licensing, industry partnerships and research administration. He strongly believes in the ability of academic research to have a real-world impact. Cliff holds a doctorate in neuroscience and is both a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) and a Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP).

Teri Schultz, JD
Licensing Director
Teri just joined the team in July and brings more than a decade of academic tech transfer knowledge with a side of pharmaceutical industry experience. She oversees KUCTC licensing functions, including sourcing, reviewing, protecting and licensing innovations. Teri has a law degree and is a registered patent attorney with a graduate degree in chemistry. She recently moved from Texas back to her home state of Kansas. Rock Chalk, Teri!
 

Patrick Hanway, PhD
Senior Licensing Associate
Patrick evaluates the patentability and commercialization potential of new inventions, identifies licensees, drafts and negotiates agreements, and educates faculty on intellectual property protection. Patrick’s has a doctorate in chemistry and, in his free time, he enjoys the sport of curling. Chemists know how to handle the pressure of bonding with ice.
 

Warren Johnson, JD
Senior Licensing Associate
The newest member of the team, Warren joined KUCTC in August. With an undergraduate degree in physics, a law degree, and more than 12 years managing corporate technology development and protection, Warren brings a solid background to university technology transfer. Like Patrick, Warren works to evaluate the patentability and commercialization potential of new inventions. Unlike Patrick, Warren is relocating from Phoenix and has almost forgotten what ice looks like. Don’t worry, Warren: Winter is coming.
 

Taylor Escher, PhD
Licensing Associate
Another new(ish) team member, Taylor joined KUCTC in December 2023. As a postdoctoral researcher in the field of cancer biology, Taylor became involved in tech transfer while going through the invention disclosure process herself. Now she evaluates inventions and technologies, helps secure IP protection, negotiates agreements, and makes her dog listen to K-pop (we hear Ella is a good sport). Taylor is a proud Jayhawk and glad to be back serving her alma mater.

Now that you know us, we’d love to hear from you. If you have questions about submitting a disclosure or just want to know a little more about technology transfer, email us at kuctc@ku.edu and set up an appointment to consult with one of our licensing team members. Or start an invention disclosure and see where the process takes you!