Vermont Update, April 23, 1998

TO: Attendees of the Basin Harbor Meeting on September 21-23, 1997
FROM: Christopher W. Allen, Vermont EPSCoR Project Director
SUBJECT: UPDATE

An outcome of the Basin Harbor Meeting "Building Links Between Academic Research and the Private Sector" sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) EPSCoR program and run by the Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), was the establishment of a set of Vermont Goals in the technology transfer area (copy enclosed). Now that approximately six months have passed since the meeting, it is time for an update in order to inform you of the progress which has been made in the areas of concern identified in the Vermont Goals statement.

1. Clarification of the technology transfer process
   A new approach to technology transfer has been established at the University of Vermont. This advance has been the result of the efforts of Dr. Paul Huyffer, Special Assistant to the President for Technology Transfer in conjunction with a joint faculty and administrative technology transfer task force. Various models were examined with the help of two sets of external consultants, the technology transfer officers from Yale University and the University of Maryland, funded through the NSF EPSCoR-sponsored AAAS Direct Assistance program. The recommendations arising from their two-day visits were utilized in the planning process. The result is the establishment of a Technology Management Office with Paul Huyffer as director. The office is proactive and reaching out to faculty rather than simply responding to situations as they arise. The office has been integrated into the ongoing program in the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the backlog of potential disclosures has been essentially eliminated. The office is the focus for technology transfer and clear procedures have been established. In addition to the director, a staff person (Elizabeth Dell) has been hired as well as consultant relationships developed. The formal place (reporting line) in the University organization structure is currently under consideration by the Provost. Finally, an outreach component which will enable connections to be made between businesses in the state and expertise at the University is being developed. Approaches to these issues are being explored by a consultant, Dr. John Leech, formerly a technical liaison officer at MIT. An Office of Industrial Technical Liaison will be established dedicated to this effort.
2. Development of Centers of Excellence
   The Vermont Technology Centers of Excellence will focus on facilitating economic development in Vermont. New leadership and an increased degree of focus has been established for each of the Centers. The current Center directors are listed below and any persons with interest or ideas relevant to their missions are strongly encouraged to contact them directly, or contact Paul Huyffer, who also serves as the CEO of the Vermont Technology Council.
   • Biotechnology Center: Dr. John Evans, Executive Dean, College of Medicine, University of Vermont Burlington, VT 05405 802-656-2156
   • Advanced Materials Center: Dr. Robert Arns, Interim Dean College of Engineering University of Vermont Burlington, VT 05405 802-656-8413
   • Environmental Center: Ms. Barbara Ripley, Secretary Agency of Natural Resources, 103 So. Main St., Center Bldg. Waterbury, VT05671-0301
   • Food Science Center: Dr. Catherine Donnelly, Associate Dean College of Agriculture & Life Sci., 601 Main Street University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 04505
   Action plans for each Center have been, or are in the final stages of development. A two-year action plan which will articulate how the Vermont Technology Council will enhance economic development as outlined in the State Science and Technology Plan is being developed and soon will be presented to the Governor. The plans of the Centers and the three infrastructure components: EPSCoR, Vermont Manufacturing Extension Center (VMEC) and the Technology Transfer Office will be incorporated into this document.
3. External Network for Technology Transfer Decisions
   Progress has been made on several fronts in dealing with the issue of decision-making on technology transfer projects. Paul Huyffer and Chris Allen visited and have had ongoing discussions with Research Corporation Technologies so that the University of Vermont could effectively utilize this resource when appropriate. Local evaluation of the economic potential of University discoveries can be accomplished by a variety of recently established relationships. The College of Medicine has retained Todd Keiller, who has managed technology transfer for Brigham and Women's Hospital and currently is a major consultant for licensing technologies from Dartmouth and St. Elizabeth's hospital in Boston, to serve in this and related roles for innovations arising from that group. Todd Keiller has an extensive network of private sector contacts. He works closely and effectively with Paul Huyffer. Paul Huyffer is developing working relationships with technology transfer officers at institutions such as Yale, Dartmouth, the University of Maryland and MIT, as well as the entire Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) network. Finally, the external advisors/members of the Centers of Excellence are available for this crucial activity.
4. Relation to Core Mission of the University
   This has defacto happened. President Judith Ramaley places economic development at the core of her vision of expanded outreach of the University to the State. Paul Huyffer will be working with Provost Geoffrey Gamble to develop University of Vermont policies which outline the role of UVM in the economic development of the State.
5. NSF Partnership Program
   Less activity has been committed to this area. Informal discussions between Chris Allen and persons at NSF with the view of developing a series of statewide SBIR grant writing workshops are ongoing. The Vermont EPSCoR program continues to be strongly committed to the SBIR Phase 0 program. It will be a significant component of the proposal to fund the Vermont EPSCoR program for 1999-2001. The EPSCoR program continues to be the primary local information source for Vermont entrepreneurs looking for federal SBIR information.

All in all, the last six months have been an exciting and productive period. It certainly is gratifying to see that most of the goals established at the Basin Harbor meeting have been met in the time frame we set.