Meet the Team

As a Patent Docketing Administrator, Kim supports administrative processes related to technology commercialization, including coordinating and overseeing the activities, reports, and filings associated with the patent prosecution journey.

Prior to joining Polsky, they managed operations for a curatorial department at the Art Institute of Chicago, with a focus on interdepartmental relationship-building within the institution. Kim has a background in classical languages and literature with undergraduate and graduate degrees both from the University of Chicago.

In their spare time, they enjoy knitting and training regularly on aerial rope, straps, and handbalancing.

Beatriz Gonzalez is the executive assistant for Bill Payne, executive director for science and technology at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She support executive administrative functions and special projects for the technology commercialization and operations teams.

Prior to working at the Polsky Center, Beatriz spent a dozen years as an assistant at a law firm in the West Loop. She enjoys working on projects at home, revamping spaces and creating new ideas.

Kyle Hanna serves as the applied data scientist at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He works closely with colleagues from the tech commercialization and operations teams to manage data, complete reports, and monitor compliance related to invention disclosures, patents, and contracts. He will also be responsible for business process development of the aforementioned data, reporting, and compliance activities.

Prior to joining Polsky, Kyle served as the assistant director, data management at UChicago’s Alumni Relations and Development office, developing engagement data strategy for Harper Lectures and other special events. Before coming to UChicago, he worked in Washington DC in various levels of government, including the DC Mayor’s Office of Economic Development and the Obama White House. While working for the White House, he became interested in science and technology policy and the application of data science in public institutions.

Kyle is interested in how technology, innovation, and design thinking can support sustainable development and social impact in international communities. In his spare time, Kyle enjoys video editing, international travel, and reading about how technology, politics, and entrepreneurship influence society and culture.

Kyle earned a BA in international economics from the George Washington University and a certificate in data analytics from the University of Chicago.

Nick Neu serves as a financial analyst for the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In this role, Nick performs comprehensive reviews and analysis of financial statements and financial data. He has previously served as operations manager at the Polsky Exchange where he played an integral role in maintaining the most community facing component of the Polsky Center footprint, overseeing all physical aspects of the Polsky Exchange and managing logistical support for events, programming, and Polsky staff working within the facility. 

Prior to joining Polsky, Nick managed the inventory team as a member of the Facilities Services department at the University of Chicago. In addition to providing sourcing, procurement, and planning support, while also assisting with various department wide analytics projects.

Nick earned a BA in chemistry from Michigan State University. Since graduating from MSU, he has continued to explore additional educational opportunities, earning a certificate in supply chain management from MIT and becoming increasingly involved with APPA, the leading industry group for educational facilities management professionals.  

YaQuavia (Yaya) Gooden is the Compliance Manager at the Polsky Center. Yaya will support Polsky’s compliance strategy, by optimizing invention reporting for technologies spawned from federal grants and sponsored research agreements, in partnership with the Polsky Technology Development and Data Management teams. Yaya will also manage a strategic grant compliance initiative with the Office of University Research Administration (URA) ahead of introducing a PI compliance education program. 

Prior to joining the Polsky Center, Yaya held several roles in compliance and contracts management at the Chicago Housing Authority and CVR Associates. She is well known in Chicago compliance for thorough asset audits that align internal procedures with federal and state regulatory policies. Yaya earned a master’s in public administration from the Keller School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in radio broadcasting from Columbia College of Chicago. 

Yaya is driven by being able to utilize her knowledge of compliance to help departments grow and understand how what they process effects other departments. In her spare time she is a basketball mom, enjoys to cook and spend time with her family.

Rob Reardon oversees the financial and accounting activities at the Polsky Center.  These activities include the development and analysis of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial planning cycles including budget, forecast, and long-range strategic plans.  Rob’s position also develops financial analysis, key performance indicators, and dashboards that highlight Polsky’s financial performance.  Rob’s group is responsible for tracking university’s license agreements for financial obligations required of the licensee and distributing income to inventors.  Rob also oversees unit-wide compliance and adherence to University and unit policies related to procurement, fund and gift management, program execution and budget stewardship.

Before joining the Polsky Center, Rob spent 8 years working as the Director of Operations for the technology transfer department at Washington University in St. Louis.  In this role, Rob was responsible for the financial activities of the office as well as the compliance, analysis, patent administration, human resources and IT.  Rob worked in the commercial real estate section prior to his time in academia.

Rob received his bachelors of science with an emphasis in finance and information systems from Boston College.  He later received his MBA from the University of Missouri in St. Louis.

Teana Stocco supports the patent and licensing portfolio as licensing administrator. She also helps to manage the team’s relationships with several University and non-University organizations including University Research Administration, the University of Chicago Investment Office, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Prior to joining Polsky, Teana worked for several law firms in the areas of litigation, personal injury, and employment law.

Teana received her bachelor’s in science degree in legal studies from Grand Valley State University, and a law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School. Teana resides in the near west suburbs with her husband and three daughters.

Jan Lach serves as a Data Manager for the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. In this role, Jan leads data governance, systems optimization and special projects to support technology commercialization.

Prior to joining Polsky, Jan served as senior assistant director, data management at UChicago Alumni Relations and Development office, where she engineered data-driven databases to improve alumni and donor engagement activities and transformed the Harper Lecture Series reporting and analytics.

Jan earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from UC Irvine and a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Northwestern University. In her free time, Jan enjoys learning new skills and trekking the world to find the best street food.

Shakira Jones is the disclosure administrator at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She manages invention disclosure, patenting, and license agreement data and processes. Shakira brings to the team a strong background in customer relations and administration. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering with her church’s food pantry, and has worked with Habitat for Humanity in Louisiana to rehabilitate homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

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Renee Lowers serves as a financial analyst at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Renee supports the finance team with a particular focus on financial maintenance of license agreements and related royalty reporting, accounts receivable, and revenue distribution.

Prior to joining Polsky, Renee worked at Fidelity Investments in Westlake Texas. During her time at Fidelity, Renee worked on the Transfer of Assets and International Settlements team as a senior representative where she assisted clients in transferring numerous assets from their brokerage accounts at competitive firms to their accounts with Fidelity. In addition to her transactional responsibilities, Renee created training materials and onboarded new associates.

Renee earned a bachelor’s degree in finance at Howard University located in Washington, D.C.

Outside of work, Renee enjoys music, video games, cooking, and traveling. She is looking forward to exploring the food scene in Chicago and seeing all the activities the city has to offer.