- For resources and updates related to the Coronavirus and operations of the Office of Industry Engagement, visit https://industry.gatech.edu/coronavirus.
Meet the Office of Industry Engagement Team
The Office of Industry Engagement’s goal is to provide Georgia Tech’s research community and industry collaborators with the support and resources they need to continue to develop and transfer breakthrough innovations.
Every member of our team is dedicated to achieving this goal. Visit our Contact Us page to connect with them or call 404.894.6940.
Technology Licensing
Help industry license and continue to develop and commercialize Georgia Tech’s cutting-edge innovations, effectively managing our intellectual property Terry Bray, PhD > Director
Terry Bray is the director of technology licensing and is responsible for directing the team that manages intellectual property created at Georgia Tech. He has more than 25 years’ experience in the creation, development, and commercialization of innovative technologies, and he has held research, faculty, managerial, and executive positions within academia and industry. He has a B.S. in chemistry from Mercer University, an M.S. in chemistry from Georgia Tech, and a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Mark S. Coburn, MS > Senior Associate Director
Mark Coburn is the senior associate director, with expertise in licensing, research administration, startups, and business development. He manages a large portfolio of inventions and acts as a mentor for intellectual property evaluation, patenting, and licensing. He has a multitude of experiences in technology transfer at four public and private R1-level research institutions during his career before joining Georgia Tech in 2018. Mark has a degree in zoology from Miami University and an M.S. in technology management from Pepperdine University.
Ben DeGreen, CLP > Senior Licensing Associate
Ben DeGreen is a senior technology licensing associate with more than 15 years of technology license experience and expertise associated with commercial and early-stage technologies in the chemical and consumer goods industries at two Fortune 300 companies. He is a Certified Licensing Professional and has additionally held positions in sales and internal auditing as well as led a cross functional team for the automation and redesign of pricing IT systems. Ben has a bachelor of science in chemical engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Kenneth S. Franklin, JD > Licensing Associate
Kenneth Franklin is a technology licensing associate with expertise in intellectual property evaluation, patenting, and licensing. He has a legal background and previously worked in the entertainment industry before joining Georgia Tech in 2017. Kenny has a degree in physics from Georgia Tech and a joint JD-MBA from Emory University.
Tarianna Stewart, PhD > Licensing Associate
Tarianna Stewart is a technology licensing associate with a strong academic and professional background in biomedical science. She received a master’s degree in biology from Georgia State University and a Ph.D. in biomedical science from Morehouse School of Medicine. Her work at Morehouse School of Medicine and Emory University, in association with Kimberly-Clark, focused on using patterned nanostructured surfaces to increase the transport and delivery of therapeutic agents across tissue barriers. Prior to joining GTRC, Tarianna worked for a local intellectual property law firm, gaining experience in patent prosecution strategies and increasing her ability to identify and advance IP that arises from the Georgia Tech scientific community.
Michael Varon, JD > Licensing Associate
Michael Varon is a technology licensing associate with expertise in intellectual property evaluation, patenting, and licensing. He is a registered patent attorney and prior to joining the Office of Industry Engagement was a practicing patent attorney within the areas of electrical, software, and mechanical technologies. Before becoming an attorney, Michael researched fluid engineering technology and worked as a desktop support engineer. Michael has a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech and a JD from Emory University.
Tiffany Ross, MBA > Account Manager
Tiffany Ross is responsible for post-license maintenance and various accounting matters for the licensing group. Before joining the licensing group, she worked in post-award accounting for sponsored projects and has worked with the Georgia Tech Research Corp.'s accounting team for more than 15 years in a number of roles. Tiffany has a degree in computer science from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Georgia State University.
Jasmine Williams, JD > Licensing Coordinator
Jasmine Williams is responsible for the intake of invention disclosures for Georgia Tech. She has a legal background and previously worked in civil litigation before joining Georgia Tech Research Corp. in 2019. Jasmine has a degree in political science from Hampton University and a JD from Barry University.
Jo Bryan > Patents Administrator
Jo Bryan is responsible for patent management and maintaining Georgia Tech Research Corp.'s patent database. Jo has worked in the intellectual property field since 2000, specializing in U.S. patent prosecution, U.S. trademark prosecution, and copyright law. Jo has a B.S. degree in criminal justice from the University of South Florida.
Deborah Reid > Administrative Coordinator
Deborah Reid is the administrative professional senior for both the Industry Contracting and the Technology Licensing teams. She provides extensive administrative support to the directors, senior associates, and their team members. Deborah has been an employee of Georgia Tech for 23 years and has had the opportunity to work in several areas, including the Office of Sponsored Programs, serving in a similar capacity. She received her diploma from the Adelphi School of Business.
Industry and International Contracting
Work with U.S. companies and organizations based in foreign countries—as well as Georgia Tech researchers—to develop sponsored research agreements along the Contract Continuum Sophia L. Herbert-Peterson, JD > Director
Sophia Herbert-Peterson is the director of industry contracting and is responsible for managing and training the industry contracting team, leading and facilitating complex transactions with sponsors, and developing and implementing policies and procedures in support of the research collaboration process. Prior to joining Georgia Tech in 2006, Sophia served as a law clerk for the Honorable Earl B. Gilliam in the southern district of California. She also practiced at a law firm in Atlanta prior to serving as in-house counsel for two Fortune 500 corporations. Sophia holds a BA in international studies and Spanish literature from Manhattan College and a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
Jarrett R. Ellis, MEd, JD > Associate Director
Jarrett Ellis is responsible for negotiating industry-sponsored research agreements, managing strategic relationships with collaborating organizations, supervising industry contracts administration, and team training. Before joining Georgia Tech Research Corp., Jarrett practiced law at Alston & Bird, LLP, where he represented and advised corporate clients in strategic matters including governance, securities transactions, mergers and acquisitions, technology sales and licensing, and data privacy and security. He has a degree in English literature from Oral Roberts University and a master’s degree and a Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University.
Yatri Amin, JD > Associate
Yatri Amin is a contracting officer and is responsible for projects and proposals from all international sponsors. Her previous experience working at a law firm, in industry, and in the public sector has shaped her unique approach to contractual negotiations. Yatri has a degree in international affairs from the University of Georgia and a joint JD/MA from The American University in Washington, D.C.
Jennifer Lyle Chatham, JD > Associate
Jennifer Lyle Chatham is responsible for negotiating research agreements with private foundation sponsors and also manages the Ford Alliance on behalf of Geogia Tech Research Corp. She has a legal background specializing in corporate law and previously worked on mergers and acquisitions at a large Atlanta law firm. Jennifer has a bachelor of business administration degree from Emory University as well as a J.D., with honors, from the Emory University School of Law.
Yathurshi (Yadu) Haase, JD > Associate
Yathurshi (Yadu) Haase is an associate on the Industry and International Contracting team. She has a legal background and previously worked in real estate for a telecommunications firm before joining Georgia Tech in 2018. Yadu earned her JD in 2016 from Georgia State University College of Law, and she holds a bachelor of science in psychology with a minor in religion from the University of Georgia.
Amelia Parr, JD > Senior Associate
Amelia Parr is a senior contracting officer responsible for the negotiation and administration of sponsored research agreements. She has a legal background and previously worked in private practice mass tort litigation before joining Georgia Tech Research Corp. in 2016. Amelia holds a BFA from Winthrop University and a JD from Emory University, with a certificate in transactional law.
Claire F. Stamm, JD > Associate
Claire Stamm is a contracting officer and is responsible for the negotiation and administration of sponsored research agreements. Before joining Georgia Tech, Claire practiced insurance defense and clerked for two different judges. Claire has an English degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi and a JD from the University of Mississippi School of Law.
Trey Wakefield, JD > Associate
Trey Wakefield is responsible for the negotiation and administration of sponsored research agreements. He previously worked as an attorney practicing corporate and entertainment law. Trey has a degree in political science from Valdosta State University and a JD from Georgia State University.
Tara Barker > Contracting Specialist
Tara Barker is a contracting specialist responsible for contracts administration in the Industry and International Contracting group. Tara has a corporate background and previously worked in the banking and hospitality industries before joining Georgia Tech in 2019. Tara has a business degree from St. Andrew’s University.
Deborah Reid > Administrative Coordinator
Deborah Reid is the administrative professional senior for both the Industry Contracting and the Technology Licensing teams. She provides extensive administrative support to the directors, senior associates, and their team members. Deborah has been an employee of Georgia Tech for 23 years and has had the opportunity to work in several areas, including the Office of Sponsored Programs, serving in a similar capacity. She received her diploma from the Adelphi School of Business.
Exchange Agreements
Establish agreements that protect Georgia Tech intellectual property while researchers work with collaborators, including Nondisclosure Agreements (NDAs), Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs), and Data Usage Agreements (DUAs) Kendall Crosby, JD > Associate Director
Kendall Crosby is associate director for the Exchange Agreements team. Kendall has a JD from the University of Georgia School of Law and an undergraduate degree in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Lauren Beebe, JD > Associate
Lauren Beebe is an associate on the Exchange Agreements team. Lauren has an undergraduate degree in business management and operations from Georgia State University. She earned a Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law.
Romel Cadet, JD > Associate
Romel Cadet is an associate with the Exchange Agreements team. Romel has a JD from Emory University School of Law and an undergraduate degree in political science from the University of Florida.
Lara Erdelyan > Associate
Lara Erdelyan is an associate on the Exchange Agreements team. Lara has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Georgia Southern University. She earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law.
Alison Peffer, JD > Associate
Alison Peffer is an associate on the Exchange Agreements team. Alison studied political science and government at the University of Louisville. She earned a Juris Doctor and a masters in health administration from the University of Kentucky.
Shuntá Willis-Johnson > Associate
Shuntá Willis-Johnson is an associate with the Exchange Agreements team. She has a strong background in process management, improvement, and development, contracts administration, and professional writing. Shuntá has a B.A. degree in English as well as an M.Ed. in education management.
Enterprise Agreements
Develop, negotiate, and manage major agreements with companies sponsoring research that spans across Georgia Tech departments and/or the company’s business units and subsidiaries Lauren MacLanahan, JD > Senior Director
Lauren MacLanahan is a senior director, leading the Enterprise Agreements team. Lauren is involved in negotiating and managing complex research agreements with companies forming strategic research relationships with Georgia Tech as well as managing large IP portfolios and negotiating licensing agreements in a wide range of fields. She holds a JD from the William and Mary School of Law, a master’s in chemistry from Georgia Tech, and a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Tennessee. She is a registered patent attorney licensed to practice law in Illinois. Before coming to Georgia Tech in 2005, she practiced law for two national law firms, one in Chicago and one in Atlanta, for several years.
Gage Ramos, JD > Senior Associate
Gage Ramos is a senior contracting officer and has been working in the field of technology transfer and research administration for eight years. Gage supports the Enterprise Agreement team through negotiating and managing complex research agreements with companies forming strategic research relationships with Georgia Tech. She also manages an intellectual property portfolio and negotiates licensing agreements in a wide range of fields. She holds a B.S. in biological sciences from Clemson University and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Amanda Lankford, MPH > Associate
Amanda Lankford is an associate on the Enterprise Agreements team with expertise in the evaluation and processing of contract proposals and awards. She is responsible for the preparation and negotiation of research collaboration, nondisclosure (NDAs), and material transfer agreements (MTAs) with industry partners. Amanda has an undergraduate degree in biology from Georgia Tech and a master’s degree in public health from Emory University.
Executive Director, Industry Engagement
Kevin Wozniak, MBA, RTTP > Executive Director
As head of the Office of Industry Engagement, Kevin Wozniak is responsible for establishing meaningful collaborations with industry through the negotiation of sponsored research agreements, technology licenses, and other various agreements with companies throughout the world. He has worked in the university technology transfer field since 1999, helping to turn promising scientific ideas into useful products and companies. Prior to entering a career in academia, he worked as a manufacturing engineer in the automotive industry, designing assembly systems for new vehicles. He is a member of and has served in board positions for the Association of University Technology Managers as well as the Council of Government Relations.
