AUTM on the Air

AUTM
  • 5.0 (10)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
AUTM on the Air

AUTM on the AIR is the weekly podcast that brings you conversations about the impact of research commercialization and the people who make it happen. Join us for interviews with patent and licensing professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech transfer leaders on the issues and trends that matter most.

  1. 1D AGO

    STEM in Action: How Project Lead The Way Is Changing Lives

    What if STEM education wasn’t just about formulas and lab reports—but about solving real problems, transforming lives, and reshaping entire communities? In this episode, we’re talking about how hands-on, project-based STEM education is making that vision a reality through Project Lead The Way, a nonprofit that’s helping millions of students across the U.S. become tomorrow’s changemakers. From building bionic arms to redesigning city infrastructure, PLTW students and educators are showing us what’s possible when curiosity meets opportunity. We’re joined by four awesome guests: Dr. David DeMitt is the President and CEO of Project Lead The Way. With a background in education leadership and a love of lifelong learning, David shares how PLTW is giving students not just technical knowledge but real-world skills in problem-solving, communication and ethics. Dr. Albert Manero is a PLTW alumnus and co-founder of Limbitless Solutions, a company that designs and delivers expressive, low-cost bionic arms for kids. Albert talks about how his early exposure to engineering through PLTW led him to a career focused on social impact and innovation. Jason Hubert is a PLTW instructor at Woodstock High School in Illinois where he teaches multiple engineering courses and advises a thriving robotics club. Jason gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how STEM education is changing the classroom experience—and helping students realize they can be inventors of their own future. Liam Hansen is a PLTW graduate and current mechanical engineering student at the University of Tennessee. Along with his classmates, Liam led a community-changing project to improve walkability in his hometown and won the first-ever PLTW Community Impact Award. He shares what it’s like to turn classroom learning into real-world action. Together we talk about mentorship, project-based learning and the kind of education that doesn’t just prepare students for jobs—but prepares them for life. In This Episode: [03:12] Project Lead the Way is a 501(c)(3), we're a nonprofit started over 25 years ago by one teacher in one high school in upstate New York, now working with over two and a half million students all across the country. The goal is to help young people get excited about and prepare for great careers through project-based hands-on learning. [04:10] The focus is primarily on engineering, biomedical science, and computer science. [05:01] They work with companies and global leaders to ensure the curriculum prepares students for great careers and lives. [06:21] David was a high school English teacher. He worked his way into school administration and then got involved in Project Lead the Way. He loved the power of bringing relevance to the classroom. [07:50] It's so powerful to see students get excited about learning. [09:03] Albert has taken his Project Lead the Way experience and built something extraordinary with Limbitless Solutions. [09:58] Why Albert chose to focus on prosthetics. [12:13] Students with engineering backgrounds and Project Lead the Way experience have early exposure to 3D design, 3D modeling, and critical thinking skills. [13:03] How Project Lead The Way helps prepare students for a collaborative environment. [14:00] Jason and his class won the Project Lead The Way inaugural community impact award. [14:51] Jason talks about the Walkability Project and why it was a real eye-opener for the kids. The students dedicated a whole year working on this capstone project. [17:58] They faced many challenges and had to figure out how to recover and what to do.  [18:26] It was also a challenge for the students to balance the demands of the project with their personal commitments. [19:37] They had to investigate where the crosswalks and sidewalks were in the city and they made their own maps. [20:09] The project also drew the attention of the International Design Shop. [21:11] Jason was nervous during the presentation. He reminded the students that they were the experts in the room. [23:04] The most rewarding part about teaching for Jason is the "aha" moments when he sees the lights go on for the kids. [24:24] Liam shares his experience and how the Walkability Project became one of his top priorities. [25:38] How projects like Project Lead The Way help students see a connection between their studies and real world applications. The students use real world technology. It's a hands-on project. [27:36] Liam talks about the impact this program has had on his life. Now he's studying mechanical engineering at the University of Tennessee. [29:04] Project Lead The Way helps take some of the mysteriousness out of things like engineering. [30:37] How Project Lead The Way was able to make STEM more accessible and exciting for students. It makes learning fun and revolves around the process. [32:03] Learning is the focus of growth. It's okay to fail. [34:36] The teachers are working together to create a challenging and engaging experience for young people in their communities. [35:46] Advice includes staying curious about how projects come together. [36:10] Enjoy the unique hands-on aspect of the class. [36:44] They focus on STEM, but there's also elements of art and design in the work.  [37:47] There's no shortage of challenges for students to address. [38:07] Technology is changing so fast that education needs to stay on top of it. [38:59] Liam wants STEM education to be at the forefront so other kids can have the experience he had. Resources:  Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Limbitless Solutions Dr. David DeMitt - LinkedIn Dr. Albert Manero - LinkedIn Jason Hubert - Woodstock High School team wins national PLTW Award Liam Hanson - LinkedIn

    40 min

  2. APR 2

    AI, Diversity, and IP Policy: Navigating the Future with Former USPTO Director Kathi Vidal

    I'm thrilled to welcome Kathi Vidal to the show today. Kathi has been at the forefront of IP policy, working to expand patent accessibility, and tackle some of innovation’s most pressing issues. As the former Undersecretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Kathi has spearheaded significant changes that reshaped how America approaches innovation.  At the USPTO, she opened up patent accessibility by expanding the patent bar to include a broader and more diverse range of professionals. She also launched the Council for Inclusive Innovation and fundamentally transformed how the Patent Office interacts with inventors, making the system more approachable for everyone. Now, as a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP, Kathi continues to influence intellectual property law and technology policy. With her deep background in electrical engineering, AI innovation, and leadership of IP practices at top law firms, she brings a unique and valuable perspective.  In today’s episode, Kathi and I discuss how Tech Transfer professionals can navigate shifts in policy, leverage recent changes in patent law, and position their institutions to succeed in an increasingly competitive IP landscape. She’s one of the most influential voices in innovation and the perfect guest to join us as we celebrate Women’s History Month. In This Episode: [02:06] We learn about Kathi's background and how she was only one of three women in her engineering class. She was also inventing in the AI space in the 1990s. [03:42] She was an inventor and saw the struggles of inventors. She drew on her own experience and other people's broader experiences.  [05:34] She went into law to do the analytical work that she loved. It was all about the strategy and the technology for her. [07:12]  At the USPTO, she wanted to harness the potential of the US government to help innovators and entrepreneurs. [08:17]  At the law firm, she's working on some major AI projects with top AI engineers in the country. [09:43]  Over the last 4 years at the USPTO, they protected US innovation. [10:34] It was a top priority to make universities and tech transfer offices more accessible.  [12:24] They changed the communication for inventors when applying for a US patent. They would welcome them to the ecosystem and let them know that they could use patent pending, along with resources and support for their journey. [13:41] How tech transfer professionals can take advantage of changes such as expanding the patent bar to include more professionals from diverse backgrounds. [14:49] Fake barriers were removed.  [15:57] The approach Kathi took in private practice helped with their efforts at the USPTO. She was always looking at the whole ecosystem and how to improve it and make it better.\ [19:09] She launched the Council for Inclusive Innovation, also known as CI2, to help address gaps in innovation participation. They created the first ever national inclusion strategy. [22:33] The role of university Tech Transfer offices in supporting women and underrepresented inventors is about making IP relatable to everyone. [23:42] IP is the key to dispersing ideas and getting them to market. It protects your ideas so you can get it out to the public and get investments. [25:18] How tech transfer offices should be thinking about protecting and licensing AI inventions. Anything AI should be protected. There needs to be human contribution documented.  [28:25] What to watch out for in the IP landscape. [30:57] Kathi is now here to help in a broader way. She is still thinking about policy and getting involved.  [32:15] Advice is to continue to have a voice in the government and think about all your lovers when it comes to strategy and working together. [33:29] Current trends relate to what's going on in government right now. Changes in funding and how investments in AI are going to be spent. Kathi is taking a close look making sure everyone is collaborating together. [35:33] We learn about what's next for Kathi. Resources:  Kathi Vidal - Winston & Strawn LLP Kathi Vidal - LinkedIn Kathi Vidal - USPTO Inventing Tomorrow: Unraveling the Impact of AI on IP with Kathi Vidal

    38 min

  3. MAR 26

    Physics, Persistence, and the Nobel Prize: A Conversation with Dr. Anne L’Huillier

    There aren’t many people in the world who can say they’ve changed the way we understand time itself, but today’s guest is one of them. In this episode, I'm honored to welcome Dr. Anne L’Huillier, professor of atomic physics at Lund University and recipient of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics. She’s one of only five women in history to receive the Nobel in this category, and her groundbreaking work in attosecond physics is reshaping what’s possible in the study of electron dynamics. But what makes Dr. L'Huillier truly remarkable isn’t just her scientific brilliance. It’s the way she leads with humility, dedication to teaching, and a deep passion for inspiring the next generation of scientists. When the Nobel committee called to deliver the news, she was in the middle of teaching a class, and she finished the lesson before calling them back. In this conversation, we talk about the persistence it took to get where she is, what it means to be a woman in science today, and how her research is unlocking new frontiers in physics. Dr. L'Huillier is a trailblazer, a teacher, and a force of curiosity, and we’re so lucky to have her on the show. In This Episode: [01:02] An attosecond is a billionth of a billionth of a second. There are more attoseconds in a second than there are seconds in the age of the entire universe which is 13.8 billion years old. [01:51] Dr. L'Huillier always wanted to be a scientist and follow in the footsteps of her father and grandfather. She had great teachers in atomic physics and quantum mechanics who kind of pushed her towards atomic physics and interactions between light and matter. [03:09] She won the Nobel Prize for attosecond physics. She finished the class she was teaching before talking to the Royal Academy of Sciences when she was notified that she won. [05:36] Teaching is a huge part of her work. She is now getting involved in more Nobel related activities. [06:47] We talk about attracting more women to physics by getting rid of the idea and stigma that girls aren't interested in physics, engineering, or math. [07:53] Students and young girls need to be encouraged to look at careers in science. [08:22] She is working on using attosecond pulses and trying to use them to look at electron motion and electronic transition. [09:20] They are researching quantum optics and using electrons as quantum objects and looking at complex systems like molecules, biomolecules, or condensed matter. [10:22] We learn how Dr. L'Huillier had two other co-laureates who measured attosecond pulses. [12:42] This work took 14 years. It's really important to be persistent, because research has ups and downs. [13:59] We learn about what the future holds for Dr. L'Huillier. There may be a book on the horizon.  [15:31] We talk about decompressing, having fun, the joys of family, and playing tennis! Resources:  Dr. Anne L'Huillier - Lund University  Dr. Anne L'Huillier - Nobel Prize in Physics 2023 Anne L'Huillier, Nobel Prize in Physics 2023: Official Interview

    16 min

  4. MAR 19

    Exposing Discrimination in Science: The Story of Nancy Hopkins and MIT with Kate Zernike

    For Women’s History Month we welcome Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Kate Zernike, national correspondent for The New York Times. Kate has been reporting since 2000 on education, national politics and more. She is also the author of Boiling Mad: Inside Tea Party America and The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science. Kate’s latest book tells the inspiring and infuriating story of how a group of women scientists at MIT used data to expose gender discrimination and demand change. What started as a quiet frustration over lab space disparities turned into a landmark study that forced MIT’s leadership to confront bias. The university’s president publicly admitted to discrimination for the first time in the school’s history, sending shockwaves through the academic and STEM worlds. This moment proved the power of data, collective action and persistence in the fight for equality. In this episode we will talk about how discrimination in STEM has evolved from outright exclusion to more subtle barriers that limit women’s opportunities. Kate’s insights will highlight the importance of representation, recognition and systemic change, and remind us that true equity goes beyond opening doors. It means actively supporting and amplifying women’s voices. In This Episode: [01:57] We're going to talk about Kate's book, The Exceptions, which focuses on Nancy Hopkins and a group of women at MIT who fought against discrimination. [02:12] We learn about Kate's inspiration from her parents and her own experience. She met Nancy 20 years prior to deciding to do the book. [04:37] Kate understood discrimination through the experience of her mother. She thought discrimination meant a door being closed in your face. [06:17] Kate wrote a newspaper story about Nancy in March of 1999. [07:26] MIT actually admitted that there was discrimination. This was after a study and gathering data that proves their point. They leaned into science.  [08:48] Nancy measured the lab spaces and discovered that she had less lab space than men who didn't have tenure. [09:41] Kate discovered that discrimination could be subtle and small and push women to the side. [10:14] Leaders wanted to help the young ambitious men, but the women were mostly tolerated. [12:23] Kate was struck by the intensity of Nancy Hopkins. [15:06] Once the story became public, they were flooded with other female scientists who had similar stories. [15:44] The power of collective action to try and achieve change.  [16:40] This is the story that Kate wished she had when she first published the newspaper story.  [17:17] Nancy becomes an extremely confident scientist. She assumed, if you do the work you'll get the job. She was alone for 20 years as she noticed little incidents of discrimination add up. [18:30] She started to see how other women were treated and talked about.  [20:26] 21st century discrimination is subtle, yet pervasive. [23:29] Women often self-select out of STEM, they can also be pushed out. [26:16] How The Exceptions is contributing to the broader conversation about women in STEM and changes to advocate for. [28:30] As Kate's career evolved, she realized that the gradual marginalization over a career does happen. [31:31] Some of the most significant strides made by women in science and challenges that need to be addressed. Women are doing incredible work. The issue is authority and giving women credit. [34:10] We really need to recognize what women can do. It's important to talk to women who are doing interesting things and show the range of what they're doing. [36:20] The book is really a story about the power of a group of women coming together and what they can do..  Resources:  Kate Zernike The Exceptions: Nancy Hopkins, MIT, and the Fight for Women in Science Boiling Mad: Inside Tea Party America Kate Zernike - New York Times Kate Zernike - LinkedIn Kate Zernike - Instagram Kate Zernike - X

    40 min

  5. MAR 12

    Protecting Tech Transfer And University Innovation Funding With Mike Waring

    The future of research and innovation is on the line. Right now, universities across the country are facing significant funding cuts that could reshape the way groundbreaking discoveries move from the lab to the real world. These cuts threaten not just the researchers and students who rely on them, but the very foundation of our innovation economy. If you have ever wondered how new medicines, cutting-edge technologies, or even life-saving treatments come to exist, the answer often lies in Tech Transfer. Without proper funding, that process is at risk. To unpack what is happening and what can be done, I am joined by someone who has spent nearly two decades fighting for research funding and intellectual property policy in Washington, D.C. Mike Waring. Mike is the Advocacy and Alliances Coordinator for AUTM. Before that, he spent 20 years leading the University of Michigan’s Washington office, working on Tech Transfer and policy issues at the highest levels. If anyone knows the ins and outs of how research funding decisions are made and what tech transfer professionals can do to advocate for their work, it is him. In this episode, we get into the real stakes of these proposed budget cuts, what they mean for university innovation, and how Tech Transfer offices can better position themselves as indispensable assets on their campuses. We will also talk about the importance of storytelling in advocacy, why policymakers need to see the human side of research, and how even those who do not see themselves as lobbyists can play a role in protecting the future of tech transfer. In This Episode: [00:57] Mike Waring knows the ins and outs of advocacy in Washington better than most. He's been deeply involved in advocacy efforts for nearly 20 years. [01:47] The strategy and focus for the conversations at Hill Day at the AUTM annual meeting. It was a great strategy to have members speak directly to people in DC. [02:26] It was an opportunity to explain what we do and why tech transfer is so important. [03:17] They want to put a cap on indirect costs such as lab infrastructure.  A 15% cap is far below what universities have negotiated.  [04:25] A number of universities have raised red flags. Where will the money come to make up the difference in cost? We're going to make the case that an arbitrary number isn't the way. [05:14] Simple and effective ways for Tech Transfer professionals to make their case to policy makers and University leadership. Make a case for the benefits to the local community. [07:15] How Tech Transfer professionals can position themselves as an essential resource during discussions about funding and economic impact. [08:46] Strengthening patent rights and what is eligible and what's not eligible. There's also another bill to try and fix problems with the patent appeals board. [11:47] Hopefully, we can get most of these bills passed through the senate floor. [12:12] Demonstrating impact when arguing the case against budget cuts. Look at your own track record including startups and discoveries. Show revenue, job creation, and innovation. [14:15] It's easier for the head of the office to engage. If this isn't you, talk to your boss first. The director should have contact with the vice president of research. The federal relations people are your conduit for reaching the audiences for these issues. [15:03] Include policy makers in events and showcase your progress. Put examples in their brain. When the battle is won, one policy maker at a time. [16:11] Corporate partners can also help make the case on these issues. [17:46] The budget deficit is quite large. The key is reducing the debt in a thoughtful way. We need more innovation not cutting back on growth potential. [19:50] University presidents and CEOs can speak for the entire entity on these issues. [20:19] America is the leader in innovation for a reason. We've empowered researchers to research on all kinds of topics. They've used federal funding and look at all of the benefits because of that. This is an investment that pays us back! Resources:  Mike Waring - AUTM A Year of AUTM Advocacy with Mike Waring Preparing for Potential Challenges

    22 min

  6. MAR 5

    Redefining DEI in Innovation: Lily Zheng on the FAIR Framework for Tech Transfer

    What happens when workplace equity efforts get lost in performative gestures? Today we’re talking about the conventional approach to workplace equity and the DEI landscape. As organizations face growing political pressure and increasing scrutiny of DEI programs, a more effective and outcome-driven approach has never been more urgent. Lily Zheng is a strategist, consultant and author who helps build fair, accessible, inclusive and representative organizations. They are the creator of the FAIR framework which has been featured in the Harvard Business Review and their book Fixing Fairness will be out soon. In this conversation, Lily will break down the limitations of traditional DEI models and why the FAIR framework (Fairness, Access, Inclusion, Representation) is a more defensible and better way to go. We’ll get into the four core principles of FAIR: outcomes, systems, coalitions and win-win solutions and how they provide a strategic foundation for lasting change in the workplace. This is especially timely for university tech transfer offices. With new federal directives calling into question DEI initiatives in research funding, many institutions are scrambling to adapt without sacrificing their core values of inclusivity and innovation. Lily will give practical advice on how to navigate this, reframe programs to stay compliant without losing impact. In This Episode: [01:47] Lily suggests the FAIR Framework to replace DEI. They wanted to set apart effective DEI work from the fluff. The plan was to distill what did work and what didn't and packed what did work into a new framework. [04:50] FAIR speaks to the goal of the work. The letters stand for fairness, access, inclusion, and representation. [05:24] There are four principles behind the framework including outcomes, systems, coalitions, and win-win. [07:38] DEI turned into splintered single issue causes.  [08:39] We are stronger together, and coalitions are a hallmark of DEI work. [01:47] Lily suggests the FAIR Framework to replace DEI. They wanted to set apart effective DEI work from the fluff. The plan was to distill what did work and what didn't and packed what did work into a new framework. [04:50] FAIR speaks to the goal of the work. The letters stand for fairness, access, inclusion, and representation. [05:24] There are four principles behind the framework including outcomes, systems, coalitions, and win-win. [07:38] DEI turned into splintered single issue causes.  [08:39] We are stronger together, and coalitions are a hallmark of DEI work. [20:33] Tech Transfer offices can focus on FAIR and understand the law. Follow the law and make any necessary adjustments to your program. Defend the highly legal and effective work you are doing. [24:41] If you have to change your language, make sure you don't change your impact. [26:32] There are still great ways to be compliant. [27:57] We have more than enough capacity, skill, caring, and generosity to do this work. It's up to us to continue to sustain impact. Resources:  Lily Zheng What Comes After DEI? The FAIR Framework Reconstructing DEI: A Practitioner's Workbook Lily Zheng - LinkedIn Lily Zheng - Instagram Lily Zheng - Facebook

    30 min

  7. FEB 26

    Defending American Science: Holden Thorp on the NIH Funding Crisis and the Future of Research

    Research doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It needs a foundation of stable funding, institutional support and policies that empower researchers to innovate. But today that foundation is under threat. In this episode we dive into one of the biggest problems facing American research: the NIH funding crisis. On February 7th the National Institutes of Health (NIH) slashed indirect cost reimbursements from 50-60% to 15%. This has sent shockwaves through the academic and research communities. With this policy change universities across the country are facing an unprecedented financial squeeze and are having to re-budget, slow hiring and even rethink long-term projects. Joining us today to break it all down is Dr. Holden Thorp, Editor-in-Chief of the Science family of journals and one of the most influential people in the world of science. With a career spanning chemistry, academic leadership and biotech innovation Dr. Thorp has been Chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill, Provost at Washington University in St. Louis and co-founder of Viamet Pharmaceuticals. He’s also a strong advocate for scientific integrity and the role of universities in innovation. We discuss how this funding issue may transform the US research scene, ranging from how it may affect universities to the potential of brain drain as top researchers consider migrating to Europe or China where funding is more stable. We address the lawsuit challenging the NIH policy and how uncertainty is already delaying significant projects such as Johns Hopkins' $330 million neuroscience facility and critical maternal health initiatives. Dr. Thorp discusses whether universities should rely more on industrial relationships, or if this risks diluting curiosity-driven research. We also discuss how universities, organizations, and state governments might work together to put pressure on Congress and find strategic solutions.  In This Episode: [01:17] Explanation of the NIH’s February 7th directive, which capped indirect cost reimbursements at 15% instead of the usual 50–60%. [02:05] Dr. Thorp breaks down the difference between direct and indirect research costs, using a cooking analogy to explain how universities rely on indirect cost recovery for infrastructure, lab maintenance, and tech transfer operations. [04:12] How the federal government and universities developed a shared-cost model for research after World War II to encourage curiosity-driven discoveries. [05:40] How funding uncertainty affects long-term projects. Risks to major initiatives like Johns Hopkins’ $330 million neuroscience facility and Michigan State’s maternal health programs. [06:15] Many universities borrow against future indirect costs to finance construction. The new NIH policy threatens these financial models, potentially affecting bond ratings and making future research investments more expensive. [07:32] Dr. Thorp explains how these funding cuts could drive top international researchers to Europe and China, where funding structures are more stable. [10:22] Some universities are now adding caveats to admissions letters, warning that funding isn’t guaranteed. Risks of eroding trust in academia as a stable career path. [12:29] Beyond litigation, universities must build coalitions with industry, nonprofits, and state governments to pressure Congress and prevent further damage. [16:10] They have a Trump tracker with very up-to-date funding information. It's also in the Science Advisor newsletter.  [17:15] The potential role of biotech firms and philanthropic ventures in filling funding gaps. Risks of diluting curiosity-driven research. [20:23] Many HBCUs and regional universities rely heavily on NIH funding, and these cuts could exacerbate existing inequities in research capacity. [24:28] Comparisons to the 2008 financial crisis, the 2013 sequestration, and other funding challenges. This situation is unique.  [28:45] Can protests and public pressure force change? The impact of researcher protests, bipartisan pushback in Congress, and media scrutiny.  [31:34] Dr. Thorp questions whether historically competitive universities will set aside differences and embrace shared research infrastructure and open-source models. [33:04] Young researchers should stay the course, emphasizing that science is cyclical and funding priorities will shift again. [34:53] It's important to talk about the economic impacts and issues with healthcare related to budget reductions. [37:20] The scientific community’s ability to adjust and innovate will be key to weathering this storm. Resources:  Holden Thorp, Ph.D. Dr. Holden Thorp - AAAS ScienceAdvisor Newsletter Dr. Holden Thorp - Columbian College of Arts & Sciences Dr. Holden Thorp - LinkedIn Engines of Innovation: The Entrepreneurial University in the Twenty-First Century Our Higher Calling: Rebuilding the Partnership between America and Its Colleges and Universities

    39 min

  8. FEB 19

    From Childhood Invention to Engineering Leadership with Dr. Tahira Reid Smith

    Engineering is more than just numbers and equations—it’s about people, innovation, and solving real-world problems. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tahira Reid Smith, an engineer, educator, and entrepreneur who is shaping the future of engineering through human-centered design. From childhood inspiration to groundbreaking research, she has dedicated her career to making technology more inclusive, effective, and meaningful. Dr. Reid Smith is the Arthur L. Glenn Professor of Engineering Education and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Penn State University. She is also the founder of Jump Dreams, Inc. and leads the Research in Engineering and Interdisciplinary Design Laboratory. Her expertise spans multiple fields, including psychology, social sciences, and engineering, to create solutions that put human needs first. In this conversation, she shares her journey from a childhood invention to industry collaborations with NASA and Procter & Gamble. She offers insights into innovation, diversity, and the role of persistence in engineering breakthroughs. Join us as we talk to Dr. Reid Smith about her career, her work on diversity in STEM, and her entrepreneurial drive to bring big ideas to life whether you’re an engineer, entrepreneur, or just someone interested in how technology and design impact our world this episode is full of inspiration and practical advice. In This Episode: [01:48] The story of inventing the Double Dutch robotic device and how she became an engineer. [02:29] When studying mechanical engineering, she remembered her third-grade dream and was inspired to start sketching ideas. [03:32] She loved Double Dutch and wanted a machine that could turn ropes. [04:21] Tahira always enjoyed math and science. She excelled and decided to major in mechanical engineering. [06:49] We learn how attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute shaped her approach to engineering and innovation. [07:27] There was a culture of design and entrepreneurship, and you were encouraged to get a patent. The Maker culture was common. [08:57] We learn about human-centered design and why it's crucial. It's all about keeping the human at the center of the process. [11:40] We learn about a collaboration that Tahira worked on at Purdue that looked at thermal properties of curly hair. The human consideration was looking at heat damage that black women could experience. [14:03] Tahira breaks down how the interdisciplinary approach affects her process. It's common to bring in social science methods in design theory. Psychology and social science insights are very valuable. [17:10] How technology transfer professionals can facilitate collaborations across different academic departments. Working with an interdisciplinary team might help answer questions you couldn't do alone. [18:44] Tahira was also a teleworker at NASA from 2022 to 2021 in the Convergent Aeronautics Solutions Group. [21:14] We learn about industry partnerships such as partnering with General Motors and Proctor and Gamble. Connections are helpful, but persistence is often times required. [25:09] Tahira is a co-founder of Black in Engineering. Diversity helps reduce instances of bias and blind spots. [28:55] Promoting diversity and inclusion. Be intentional when engaging with the faculty on campus. Is the database representative of the community's demographics? [30:24] Compassionate design is a framework created to help engineers think about the dignity, security, and empowerment that users ought to feel when engaging with your creation. [31:47] Ask questions about your product, such as whether it will create embarrassment or how someone will feel using it. [32:55] Tahira has over 60 articles published. Academic publishing brings credibility to the role that you're doing, primarily peer-reviewed articles. [34:15] Having published work on your idea will give you an edge when standing before investors. [35:02] We learn more about Jump Dreams, Inc.'s founding and the Double Dutch jump rope invention. [38:13] Don't just stay within the walls of your university go out and do outreach. Reach out to the younger generation and show them what's possible. [39:10] Generative AI and Artificial Intelligence are impacting everyone right now.  [40:25] Tahira is excited about a project she's working on that's designed to help the elderly and another one to help increase situational awareness for firefighters and police officers. Resources:  Dr. Tahira Reid Smith Jump Dreams, Inc The REID Lab @ Penn State Dr. Tahira Reid Smith - PennState Dr. Tahira Reid Smith - Instagram Dr. Tahira Reid Smith - Inventor Spotlight Dr. Tahira Reid Smith - LinkedIn Dr. Tahira Reid Smith - The Lemelson Foundation Black in Engineering

    43 min
See All (249)

    Ratings & Reviews

    5
    out of 5
    10 Ratings

    About

    AUTM on the AIR is the weekly podcast that brings you conversations about the impact of research commercialization and the people who make it happen. Join us for interviews with patent and licensing professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, and tech transfer leaders on the issues and trends that matter most.

    Information

    • Creator
      AUTM
    • Years Active
      2020 - 2025
    • Episodes
      249
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © AUTM.net
    • Show Website
      AUTM on the Air

    You Might Also Like

    Content Restricted

    This episode can’t be played on the web in your country or region.

    To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

    Stay up to date with this show

    Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
    Select a country or region

    Africa, Middle East, and India

    Asia Pacific

    Europe

    Latin America and the Caribbean

    The United States and Canada