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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 began September 2025 and is complemented by a downloadable toolkit and a on the third Thursday of the month 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: Southeast@USF, the USF Foundation, and others.

Sessions & Events

Intellectual Property & Commercialization: A Deep Dive

January 28, 2026
Noon - 1:00 p.m. EST
Microsoft Teams

Presenters:

• Michele Tyrpak, Director, USF Technology Transfer Office
• Karla Schramm, Technology Scout, USF Technology Transfer Office
• Douglass Nissinoff, Sr. Venture Development Manager, USF Technology Transfer Office 

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.

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Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset

February 3, 2026
Noon - 1 p.m. EST
Microsoft Teams

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.

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Start-Up 101: From Lab to Launch

March 3, 2026
Noon - 1:00 p.m. EST
Microsoft Teams

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.

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SBIR/STTR Overview & Matchmaking

April 8, 2026
Noon - 1:00 p.m. EST
Microsoft Teams

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.

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Interdisciplinary Innovators Exchange Toolkit

Unlock the full potential of your industry partnerships with the Interdisciplinary Innovators Exchange Toolkit—a resource packed with actionable strategies, institutional insights, and real-world examples to help USF faculty amplify research impact and navigate industry collaborations with confidence. Whether you're new to industry engagement or ready to scale your efforts, this toolkit is your go-to guide for turning ideas into innovation.