Interdisciplinary Innovators Exchange
Interdisciplinary Innovators Exchange
USF Faculty Forward: Partnering with Industry for Impact
USF Faculty Forward: Partnering with Industry for Impact—the theme of the inaugural Interdisciplinary Innovators Exchange series—spotlights
the power of collaboration between academia and industry to drive meaningful change.
Designed to equip faculty with practical knowledge, real-world insights, and essential
resources, this series will explore how researchers can deepen industry engagement,
enhance readiness for collaborative innovation and commercialization, and amplify
research impact across sectors.
This monthly webinar series begins September 2025 and will be complemented by a downloadable
toolkit and dedicated office hours for faculty interested in exploring these topics
in more depth. All sessions will be recorded and available asynchronously.
Sessions will spotlight best practices, introduce institutional resources, and feature
real stories from USF faculty who have successfully partnered with industry to advance
research, innovation, and student impact.
By series end, participating faculty will:
- Understand the diverse pathways to industry engagement
- Learn how to navigate university resources and support systems
- Gain actionable strategies for building and sustaining industry relationships
- Develop an entrepreneurial mindset and commercialization readiness
- Build confidence to communicate research value to external partners
- Connect with peers and industry leaders for collaboration opportunities
- Explore funding opportunities (SBIR/STTR, philanthropic, or corporate)
This year’s series is facilitated by the USF Research Development Institute, in close collaboration with key partners across the university’s vibrant innovation ecosystem, including the Florida High Tech Corridor, USF CONNECT, the USF Technology Transfer Office, the NSF I-Corps Hub, the USF Foundation, and others.
Sessions & Events
Innovation in Action: Faculty Stories of Industry Engagement
September 30th, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 PM EST
Microsoft Teams
REGISTER HERE.
Presenters:
- Dr. Shannon Bailey, Assistant Professor & Senior Human Factors Scientist, Center for Advanced Medical Learning & Simulation
- Dr. Stephen Saddow, Professor, Electrical Engineering
- Dr. Jing Wang, Professor, Electrical Engineering
- Dr. Hariom Yadav, Associate Professor & Director, USF Center for Microbiome Research
- Elizabeth Nelson, MBA, Program Director, Florida High Tech Corridor (Moderator)
Real impact starts with real stories. This kickoff session highlights faculty across
disciplines who have successfully partnered with industry to drive research, innovation,
and student opportunity. Speakers will share candid lessons from their journey—how
they got started, what worked, and what they’d do differently. The session is designed
to demystify industry engagement and inspire action, regardless of discipline or experience
level.
Faculty will walk away with new perspectives on the value of collaboration, practical
strategies for initiating partnerships, and a clear sense that industry engagement
is both achievable and impactful.
How to Engage with Industry to Drive Research Impact
Date: October 2025
Presenter: Elizabeth Nelson, MBA, Program Director, Florida High Tech Corridor
This session will unpack why and how faculty can build meaningful, mutually beneficial partnerships with industry to increase the visibility and application of their work. We’ll explore what motivates companies to collaborate with universities - like access to talent, expertise, and innovation - and how faculty can align their research with those priorities. You’ll learn strategies for identifying potential partners, initiating conversations, and building trust over time.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore industry partnerships or looking to strengthen your approach, this session offers a practical roadmap for developing relationships that support research impact and long-term success.
I-Corps in an Hour: Product-Market Fit for Researchers
Date: November 2025
Presenters: TBA
Understanding who needs your innovation—and why—can make or break your ability to engage industry. This condensed, high-impact session introduces faculty to the core principles of NSF I-Corps, focusing on how to define value propositions, test assumptions, and align research with market demand.
Participants will learn a simple, repeatable framework for customer discovery that strengthens grant proposals, informs technology development, and increases partnership potential. A great primer for faculty considering I-Corps or seeking to make their research more industry-facing.
Navigating USF’s Industry Engagement Resources
Date: December 2025
Presenters: Representatives from the USF Research Development Institute, USF CONNECT, USF Technology
Transfer Office, FL High Tech Corridor, NSF I-Corps Hub, USF Foundation, and more
USF’s infrastructure for industry engagement is designed to help faculty turn ideas into impact. This session maps out the support network—from research development to commercialization and startup support to partnership facilitation—showing how to align with the right offices at the right time to drive successful external collaborations. By the end, faculty will understand how to tap into these services to navigate partnerships with confidence and clarity.
Intellectual Property & Commercialization: A Deep Dive
Date: January 2026
Presenters: TBA
Protecting and commercializing intellectual property can unlock new funding streams,
amplify research visibility, and create real-world value. This session dives into
the process of invention disclosures, patenting, and licensing at USF—clarifying rights,
responsibilities, and opportunities for faculty inventors.
You’ll hear how the USF Technology Transfer Office supports you through each stage,
and what to consider early in the research process if commercialization may be part
of your path. Ideal for faculty who are developing innovations or interested in technology
transfer.
Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset
Date: TBA
Presenter: Beth Kerly, USF CONNECT
An entrepreneurial mindset is foundational to successful industry engagement. It equips faculty with the ability to think creatively, act resourcefully, and navigate ambiguity—traits that are essential when translating research into real-world applications.
This session explores how entrepreneurial thinking supports partnership-building, drives innovation beyond the lab, and aligns academic pursuits with industry needs. Whether you’re interested in applied research, commercialization, or collaborative problem-solving, this session helps reframe how you approach your work with value creation at the center.
Start-Up 101: From Lab to Launch
Date: TBA
Presenter: Douglas Nissinoff, MS, Sr. Venture Development Manager, USF Technology Transfer Office
This session covers the basics of faculty entrepreneurship: forming a university-affiliated startup, understanding ownership and licensing, and navigating investment opportunities. It’s an honest look at what it takes to move from idea to venture while staying aligned with your research mission. Whether you’re curious about launching a company or advising students who are, this session gives you a practical foundation to build from.
SBIR/STTR Overview & Matchmaking
Date: TBA
Presenter: Elizabeth Nelson, MBA, Program Director, Florida High Tech Corridor
SBIR and STTR programs offer significant non-dilutive funding to help translate research into commercial impact. This session introduces faculty to these federal opportunities, demystifies the application process, and shares strategies for successful partnerships with small businesses or startups.
We’ll also explore ways to match faculty expertise with eligible companies and support services at USF. A must-attend for faculty looking to fund applied research and connect with entrepreneurial ventures.