Meet the Tech Transfer Team

Bill Payne is the executive director of science and technology at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago. In this role, he leads the technology commercialization, Polsky Science Ventures, and industry relations teams working to bring groundbreaking faculty research to the market.

As a seasoned business and technology executive from the telecommunications industry, Bill most recently served as vice president and chief operating officer of Roberson and Associates’ consulting. The firm’s clients are from various technology industries, and its services include intellectual property assessment and expert witness testimony.

Bill has held leadership roles in product and technology development at Nokia, Motorola, and AT&T. He had business unit chief technology officer (CTO) responsibilities at both Nokia and Motorola, driving innovations into commercial products and services. He led Nokia’s Small Cell Business Line, as well as the development of Motorola’s first commercial 4G/LTE cellular infrastructure products. As CTO of Motorola’s infrastructure business, he incentivized the development of idea disclosures and introduced an innovation gate process to track, promote, and move concepts toward patent filings and/or commercialization. Bill has 9 issued patents.

Bill is also a startup veteran—having founded and built a company that developed a mobile advertising and sponsorship service that was integrated into AT&T’s and Verizon’s networks and approved for use.

Bill received his BSEE from Purdue University, his MSEE from Georgia Tech, and his PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is a lifelong Chicagoan who enjoys boating and sports.

Eric Ginsburg, PhD, serves as the senior director, intellectual property and technology development at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Eric’s team works with faculty and other researchers to move their discoveries and inventions towards the marketplace.

Prior to joining Polsky, Eric worked in research and development at Eastman Kodak and Abbott Laboratories, and was a postdoctoral researcher at the IBM Almaden Research Center.  

Eric earned a SB degree from MIT and a PhD from Caltech, both in Chemistry. His graduate work focused on the synthesis and characterization of soluble electrically conducting polymers. Eric is a registered patent agent and a certified licensing professional.  

In his spare time, Eric enjoys being somewhere like this or this as often as possible.

Michael Batalia has joined the Polsky Center as Senior Director, Business Development and Licensing for the Polsky Science and Technology team. Michael leads our Business Development team that negotiates and manages intellectual property (IP) licenses and options, interinstitutional agreements, confidentiality disclosure agreements, and material transfer agreements (outgoing corporate). Michael joins our team from his role as Director, Apio Innovation Transfer where he was responsible for developing and presenting technology transfer and IP training programs on a global scale. He is also co-founder of Wide-Eyed Technologies which developed and applied 3D printing technologies for custom manufacturing.  Michael has an extensive background in technology transfer operations. Michael is a UChicago alum, where he earned his A.B. in Chemistry. He obtained his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Texas at Austin. After graduate school, Michael was awarded a Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Postdoctoral Fellowship, and he performed research in the department of microbiology and immunology as well as the department of chemistry at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Michael’s office is within the Polsky area in the Drexel building.

David Gross is the director of technology marketing and innovation growth for the Polsky Center. He focuses on building relationships with industry partners on behalf of the Polsky Center and manages a portfolio of strategic projects in the areas of innovation and science.

Prior to moving to Chicago, Dave was the COO of a commercial construction company in Des Moines, Iowa. He has also worked in real estate strategy for Walgreens, and as a business analyst for Target in Minneapolis.

Dave holds an MBA from Duke University and a BA from Northwestern University in economics and geography. 

Fei Li, Ph.D., serves as a senior manager in venture partnership at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Fei supports science faculty with startup formation and venture capital connections – including managing the Science Commercialization Advisors (SCA) program.  He is a member of the Technology Marketing and Innovation Growth team within PST and work closely with the Deep Tech Ventures team on startup support.

Prior to joining Polsky, Fei worked at ARCH Venture Partners on deal sourcing and due diligence to evaluate investment opportunities in physical and life sciences. Prior to ARCH, Fei was a research engineer at Canon Nanotechnologies, Inc where he developed new materials used in semiconductor lithography applications.

Fei holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from University of New Mexico, an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and post-doctoral experience from Texas A&M University.

Narayan Subramanian currently serves as a Senior Manager at the Front End of Innovation at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago. In this role, he closely collaborates with our Technology Development team to identify faculty members whose research might benefit from advanced inventing sessions. He also assists in identifying opportunities to commercialize their research.

Before joining our team, Narayan worked at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), where he held various positions, most recently as the Technology Head for Satellite Remote Sensing. At TCS, he led a group that provided various intellectual property (IP) services to the organization, including patent analysis, ensuring freedom to operate, providing training, and managing licensing. Prior to TCS, Narayan gained experience in IP management during his eleven-year tenure at General Electric (GE), where he worked in various technology domains. At GE, he managed the IP Portfolio for the GE battery division and was actively involved in risk mitigation strategies. Throughout his two decades of experience, he has played a pivotal role in guiding strategic innovation, nurturing inventions to maturity, and conducting competitive analysis.

Narayan holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis. He also holds a postgraduate diploma in design thinking and innovation. Additionally, he is a registered patent agent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Outside of work, Narayan enjoys taking long walks, playing chess, and is a meditation instructor.

Ben Cox, PhD, serves as manager of intellectual property and technology development at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He manages a diverse intellectual property portfolio consisting of inventions related to physics, medical imaging, and devices. He has become a key leader for the ongoing development of our quantum sciences technology portfolio and has also made great progress on soliciting and developing medical device inventions from clinical researchers.

Ben has assisted with entrepreneurial programs across the Polsky Center, acting as a coach to early-stage startup companies through the completion of the programs. He also serves as a mentor through the Polsky Exchange, where he advises people from UChicago and the surrounding community on engineering design, fabrication techniques, and intellectual property.

Prior to joining Polsky, Ben was a postdoctoral fellow in the Medical Engineering Group at the Morgridge Institute for Research in Madison, WI, working on novel medical device development with campus area clinicians. During his postdoctoral fellowship, he also served as an associate lecturer in the Biomedical Engineering Department at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, teaching undergraduate design courses. He also volunteered on the board of directors for WiSolve Consulting Group, a non-profit business consulting group that trains STEM grad students in business consulting and entrepreneurship, serving a term as their director of operations.

Ben earned his PhD in medical physics from the University of Wisconsin, leveraging his engineering background to design and fabricate hardware for a variety of medical imaging applications. Before graduate school, he helped found a fabrication facility at the Morgridge Institute in Madison as a staff engineer. Additionally, he is an inventor of a novel nuclear medicine imaging phantom and co-founded a startup company to commercialize it. In his spare time, he enjoys learning how to cook new things and spending time with family and friends.

Kenneth Gayosa Onishi, PhD, serves as manager for business development and licensing at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Ken works with faculty in the Duchossois Family Institute to build partnerships with companies working in the microbiome and helps researchers transform their ideas and discoveries into licenses, products, services, and startups.

Prior to joining Polsky, Ken managed the chronobiology and neuroimmunology laboratory at the Institute for Mind and Biology. He earned his PhD in integrative neuroscience from the University of Chicago and his research focused on circadian rhythms and sex differences in biomedical research. While pursuing his doctoral degree, Ken performed due diligence as a George Schultz Innovation Fund Associate and screened novel University technologies for scientific merit, market size, and consumer adoption.

Ken is dedicated to commercializing microbiome-related technologies to improve health outcomes via therapeutics and diagnostics. In his spare time, Ken enjoys climbing, running outdoors, and experimenting in the kitchen.

Anna Dembo, PhD, serves as a manager, intellectual property and technology development, at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She manages patent filings and prosecution for a diverse portfolio, including cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Anna also participates in faculty outreach efforts and in assessing new technologies from intellectual property and commercial potential perspectives.

Prior to joining Polsky, Anna was a postdoctoral scholar in the laboratory of Dr. Geoffrey L. Greene, chair of the Ben May Department for Cancer Research at the University of Chicago. She also received her doctorate degree at the University of Chicago from the Committee on Cancer Biology. Anna’s research focused on preventing outgrowth of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

In her spare time, Anna enjoys traveling, cooking, and listening to podcasts.

Shane Thomas Peace, PhD, is a manager, intellectual property and technology development, at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. He manages patent filings and prosecution for a diverse set of faculty from the Biological Sciences Division and Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. In addition, Shane participates in faculty outreach efforts and in assessing new technologies from intellectual property and commercial potential perspectives.

Prior to joining Polsky, Shane was a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Chicago’s Institute for Mind and Biology, where he researched the role of cortical feedback in the olfactory system during odor discrimination tasks using electrophysiological and optogenetic tools. Shane earned a PhD in neurobiology and behavior at Cornell University where he used a microelectrode array and optogenetics to study neural synchronization mechanisms that coordinate coherent oscillations in the olfactory bulb. Shane earned a BA in psychology from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

In his free time, Shane enjoys low and slow barbeque, listening to the Mississippi delta blues, and spending time in the great outdoors.

Han Sun, PhD, serves as a senior manager in business development at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Han works closely with University of Chicago researchers and cancer research community to evaluate, develop, and market oncology-related discoveries and match new discoveries to unmet needs.

Han earned a PhD in cellular and molecular medicine from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. While at JHU, she started her cancer research career and contributed to the successful development of a therapeutic antibody that was licensed to a company. Han completed her post-doctoral training at City of Hope National Medical Center, gaining more experience in cancer immunotherapy research. 

In her spare time, Han enjoys reading and cooking – really spicy food. 

Mike Hinton, PhD, serves as a senior manager, technology marketing, at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Mike’s responsibilities include sourcing industry partners for the commercialization of a diverse portfolio of University intellectual property. He also identifies and monitors market trends and supports optimization of strategies for introducing technologies into the competitive environment.

Mike holds a PhD in microbiology and immunology from Virginia Commonwealth University and conducted research on the hepatotoxic effects of anti-HIV therapeutics under a National Institute of Health fellowship. Prior to joining Polsky, Mike served on the board of directors of Colonial Scientific, a laboratory and medical supplier primarily serving the northeast region.  He also worked as a chemist for Chemtool Incorporated providing technically oriented project management and sales support.  He also volunteered as a technical consultant with the Chicago Inventors Organization working with early stage medical device companies addressing patentability and marketability of inventions.

In his spare time, Mike enjoys spending time with family, live music shows, and outdoor recreational activities.

Veronica Haywood-Ragland, DPT, PT, PhD, serves as a manager, intellectual property and technology development, at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She manages patent filings and prosecution for a diverse portfolio from the Biological Sciences Division and works with faculty to develop intellectual property and commercial strategies to move faculty innovations from the bench to the market.

Prior to joining Polsky, Veronica was an Associate Technology Manager for the University of Illinois Chicago, where she was responsible for evaluating, managing, marketing, and licensing intellectual property assets from several departments in the Colleges of Medicine, Applied Health Sciences, Nursing, Public Health, Social Work, and Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Veronica trained in the Center for Tissue Regeneration and Wound Healing and earned her Ph.D. in Oral Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Veronica’s research focused on the molecular and glyco-biological changes associated with pathological wound healing. In addition to her Ph.D., Veronica also holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and a Bachelor of Science degree from Marquette University.

Veronica has over 10 years of clinical experience working in acute and critical care settings with specialty training in Wound Care, which she uses to support clinical and translational science and commercialization initiatives within the university setting. She is a current member of the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM), Women in Bio, and the Wound Healing Society. In her spare time, Veronica enjoys providing advisory and consultancy services to a diverse array of companies, serving on organizational committees, gardening, and traveling.

Jack Crewse serves as an Associate Manager of Intellectual Property and Technology Development as part of the Polsky Science and Technology team. In this role, he collaborates with a diverse group of faculty members, focusing on the protection of intellectual property in the fields of computer science and physics.

Before his tenure at Polsky, Jack was engaged as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Argonne National Laboratory’s Center for Nanoscale Materials. His research there centered on exploring new nanomaterials through analytical techniques and high-performance computing simulations. As a graduate student at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, he delved into the impact of disorder on quantum phase transitions, employing high-performance Monte Carlo simulations. Additionally, Jack spent time as a Visiting Researcher at the University of Regensburg, where he pioneered simulations for terahertz laser interactions with topological insulator materials, providing vital insights for groundbreaking experiments in ultra-fast electron dynamics. He earned his B.S. in Physics from the Missouri University of Science and Technology in 2015.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Jack is passionate about music and art, enjoys PC gaming, and is a dedicated father.

Harrison Paul, PhD, serves as an associate manager, technology marketing, at the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Harrison’s responsibilities include sourcing industry partners for the commercialization of a diverse portfolio of University intellectual property. He also identifies and monitors market trends and supports optimization of strategies for introducing technologies into the competitive environment.

Prior to joining Polsky, Harrison earned his PhD in molecular engineering from University of Chicago and conducted research on sustainable materials with enhanced transport properties for applications in water purification and biomedical devices. While pursuing his doctoral degree, Harrison performed due diligence as a George Schultz Innovation Fund Associate and screened novel University technologies for scientific merit, market size, and consumer adoption. He also co-founded Oleo Sponge, Inc. to commercialize an oil spill remediation technology from Argonne National Lab.

In his spare time, Harrison enjoys hiking, climbing, and playing tabletop RPGs.

Dr. Charlie Shaw assumes the role of Associate Director of Business Development and Licensing with a rich tapestry of experience and expertise. Driven by his passion for bridging the gap between academia and industry, Dr. Shaw held roles focused on technology commercialization. He previously worked as a technology licensing manager at prominent institutions such as the Moffitt Cancer Center, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest Innovation.  Notably, he played a pivotal role in promoting commercial opportunities for innovations spanning oncology, medical devices, engineering, and nanotechnology, while also aiding multiple university start-ups and consulting for angel investment funds such as Resilient Ventures.

Following his tenure in commercialization licensing, Dr. Shaw worked with the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine, where he managed partnerships and contracts, further broadening his expertise in the intersection of science, business, and law.

In addition to his professional pursuits, Dr. Shaw is deeply committed to community activism. He worked tirelessly to raise awareness of prostate cancer risk in Southside Chicago and promote STEM education in primary schools in NC. His involvement in various community organizations and initiatives, including National Urban League, MudPies Child Development Centers, Kappa League for young males and the Bethesda Center for the Homeless, reflects his dedication to social impact and diversity advocacy.

Dr. Shaw earned his BS from Davidson College, PhD from Duke University and gained post-doctoral experience within the University of Chicago.

Camille Andres serves as the executive assistant to the associate vice president and head of the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She is responsible for support functions as well as special projects for the AVP and director of operations and chief of staff.

Prior to joining Polsky, Camille served as senior assistant to the associate dean, Psychology Department at Pepperdine University for 11 years. She supported the associate dean and also handled significant graduate program responsibilities, such as adjunct faculty hires, course schedules, payroll, and new student orientations. Before working at Pepperdine, Camille also served as administrative coordinator at another graduate school and has worked in various forms of healthcare. She began her career at Crain’s Communications in Chicago.

Camille earned a bachelor of arts in communications from Loyola University of Chicago.

Camille loves to travel both domestically and internationally, and in her spare time she enjoys working out, watching sports, and spending time with her family.

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.