Ken Foster joined the MSU Innovation Center as a Technology Manager in May 2025, bringing over 25 years of industry experience from Dow Chemical, GE, and other leading organizations. He helps manage intellectual property generated by MSU faculty and works to bridge innovative research with commercial applications. Ken holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and …
Joining the MSU Technologies (MSUT) team on February 12, 2024, we introduce Aaron Abood, CPA, as the IP Finance Coordinator. In his role, Aaron is responsible for coordinating, managing, and overseeing the accounting and financial aspects of MSU’s Intellectual Property (IP) policies, specifically related to royalty income and distribution. Aaron brings nine years of experience …
Michelle Oden is a seasoned administrative professional with two decades of experience, currently serving as the Front Desk Receptionist for MSUT within the Innovation Center at Michigan State University. She joined the team on May 20th, 2024, bringing a wealth of knowledge from her extensive background with her. In her role at MSUT, Michelle is …
Stacey has dedicated her career to the legal field, including intellectual property and drafting and reviewing contracts. Beginning as an Intellectual Property Assistant and Patent Administrator for Chrysler Corporation, where she was heavily involved with intellectual property management. Continuing with roles at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Health Information …
Andréa Beauford is a seasoned professional with over 13 years of experience in her field. She joined the Innovation Center team on June 12, 2023, as a Secretary/Support Staff, taking on the primary responsibility of supporting the MSU Technologies office. Prior to her role at the MSU Innovation Center, Beauford worked in the medical field …
Brian Wright joins the MSU Technologies (MSUT) team as the new Associate Director bringing more than 20 years of experience to MSUT Wright received his undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University before attending Cornell, where he received a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering focusing on drug delivery. After graduation, Wright spent a few years …
Stephanie Taylor has recently joined the MSU Innovation Center’s Intellectual Property (IP) team. Taylor will work as a Patent Assistant, working with MSU faculty members and the Innovation Center’s patent attorneys to determine what intellectual property protections are available for the innovations being developed across MSU’s campus. Taylor graduated from Colorado Technical University with a …
Karen Lavery joined MSU Technologies as a Financial Analyst in June 2022. She has been with Michigan State University since July 2013. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from University of Phoenix. Karen started her career serving in the United States Navy, with Operation Deep Freeze, in McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Karen is a wife, …
Audrey Grantz joined the MSUT Agreement Team in April of 2022 to negotiate material transfer agreements (MTA), confidential disclosure agreements (CDA), and data use agreements (DUA) for the university. Grantz earned a Master’s Degree in the agronomy plant breeding and genetics field from MSU. Before joining the MSU Innovation Center, Grantz served the specialty crop …
Julia joined MSU Technologies as an AgBio Technology Transfer Fellow in 2020 and transitioned to her current role as the AgBio Technology Manager in 2022. She works with researchers in agriculture, natural resources, and natural science to evaluate, protect, and commercialize technologies. She is a member of the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM). Julia …
