Sophia Herbert-Peterson is the director of corporate contracting and is responsible for managing and training the 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.
Meet Our Team
The goal of the Corporate & International Contracting/Exchange Agreements's team is to provide Georgia Tech’s research community and collaborators with the support and resources they need to continue to develop breakthrough innovations.
Every member of our team is dedicated to achieving this goal. Visit our Contact Us page to connect with them.
Corporate and International Contracting
Work with U.S. corporations and organizations based in foreign countries—as well as Georgia Tech researchers—to develop sponsored research agreements along the Contract Continuum Jarrett R. Ellis, MEd, JD > Associate Director
Jarrett Ellis is responsible for negotiating 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.
Amelia Parr, JD > Senior Contracting Officer
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.
Yatri Amin, JD > Contracting Officer
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.
Yathurshi (Yadu) Haase, JD > Contracting Officer
Yathurshi (Yadu) Haase is a contracting officer on the Corporate 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.
Jennifer Lyle, JD > Contracting Officer
Jennifer Lyle 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.
Claire F. Stamm, JD > Contracting Officer
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 > Contracting Officer
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 Corporate 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.
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 > Contracting Officer
Lauren Beebe is a contracting officer 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 > Contracting Officer
Romel Cadet is a contracting officer 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, JD > Contracting Officer
Lara Erdelyan is a contracting officer 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.
Amanda Lankford, MPH > Contracting Officer
Amanda Lankford is a contracting officer with the Exchange Agreements team. She has an undergraduate degree in biology from Georgia Tech and a master’s degree in public health from Emory University.
Alison Peffer, JD > Contracting Officer
Alison Peffer is a contracting officer 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, MEd > Contracting Officer
Shuntá Willis-Johnson is a contracting officer 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.
Marisela Bravo > Contracting Specialist
Marisela Bravo manages incoming requests for Non-Disclosure Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements and Data Use Agreements. Marisela brings more than a decade of experience in state and federal grants and contracts administration to her role and holds a bachelor's degree from Florida State University.
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 Contracting Officer
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.
Executive Director
Kevin Wozniak, MBA, RTTP > Executive Director
As head of the Office of Corporate & International Contracting/Exchange Agreements, Kevin Wozniak is responsible for establishing meaningful collaborations through the negotiation of sponsored research agreements 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.
Morganne Norwood > Assistant to the Executive Director
Morganne Norwood is the assistant to the executive director. She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Alabama. Morganne brings previous higher education experience to her role, including the Office of the Provost at Emory University.
