Cliff Michaels

Clifford Michaels is the executive director of the University of Kansas’s Center for Technology Commercialization (KUCTC) with over sixteen years of experience in academic technology transfer, licensing, industry partnerships, and research administration. Cliff strongly believes in the ability of academic research to have real-world impact. Prior to joining KU, Michaels served as an assistant vice president for research and the director of Georgia State University’s Office of Technology Transfer & Commercialization. During his time at Georgia State, Cliff spearheaded the creation and implementation of a new strategic vision to foster innovation and improve engagement with the university research community. He also previously worked in Emory University’s Office of Technology Transfer, including time as its interim executive director, overseeing both its technology transfer activities, as well as industry sponsored research functions. Michaels is an active member of both the Association of University Technology Managers, moderating its biannual leadership forum and the University Industry Demonstration Partnership, where he volunteers with the organization’s communications committee. He is also a board member of Southeast Life Sciences. Cliff received his Doctorate in Neuroscience from Emory University in 2007 with his doctoral research focusing on the impact of early-life stress on endogenous opioid systems and measures of reward. It was during his time as a graduate student when his interests in commercializing university discoveries was piqued, and he started his technology transfer career as an intern during the final year of his graduate studies. Cliff holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Neuroscience from Lafayette College in Easton, PA and is both a Certified Licensing Professional (CLP™) and a Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP™). When not supporting research and innovation at KU, Cliff can often be found running or baking; two hobbies which luckily work to offset one another!