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UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky drives economic, societal and entrepreneurial growth from research discoveries. Through technology commercialization, health care innovations, corporate partnerships, social innovation and economic development, UK Innovate helps researchers and entrepreneurs across UK Research and UK HealthCare accelerate their ideas into use. By connecting talent, research, corporate partners and community resources, UK Innovate works to move ideas into the world faster, where they can make the greatest societal and economic impact possible.


Who We Are

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Ian McClure, J.D., LL.M.
Vice President for Innovation, UK HealthCare
Associate Vice President for Research, Innovation and Economic Impact, UK Research
Meg Allen
Meg Allen
Program Growth and Partnership Development Coordinator, Social Innovation
Landon Borders
Landon Borders
Executive Director, R&D Partnerships
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Laura Calmes
Data Management Analyst, Intellectual Property Development, Technology Commercialization
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Eric Castlen, J.D.
Senior Associate Director, Contracts, Technology Commercialization
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Holly Symonds Clark, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Commercialization, Technology Commercialization
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Sabrina Darnell
Finance & Compliance Officer, Intellectual Property Development, Technology Commercialization
Kenzie Dickens
Kenzie Dickens
Operations Coordinator, Launch Blue
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Chelsea Ex-Lubeskie, M.S.
R&D Partnerships Manager, College of Medicine & UK HealthCare
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Jaime C. Warren Fernandez, J.D., M.S.
Manager, Commercialization, Technology Commercialization
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Jacqueline J. Greene
Senior Project Manager, GAME Change
Director, Marketing & Communications
Victoria Hamilton
Victoria Hamilton
Manager, Launch Blue
Kendra Stenzel
Kendra Hargis-Stenzel, Ph.D.
Director, Innovation Talent Development, Launch Blue
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Eric Hartman
Senior Associate Director, Ecosystem
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Madison Hartung
Program Director, XOR Program, XLerator Network
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Feni Kadakia, Ph.D.
Manager, Commercialization, Technology Commercialization
Program Manager, MidSouth REACH 3.0
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David Lee Kennedy
Administrative Assistant, Technology Commercialization
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Scott Kinison
Manager, Commercialization, Technology Commercialization
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Liz Knapp
Manager, Commercialization, Technology Commercialization
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Suniti Mujumdar
Program Manager, Social Innovation
Rohan Munnolimath
Rohan Munnolimath
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Alexa Narel
Alexa Narel
R&D Partnerships Manager, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
Laura Halligan
Laura Russell-Halligan
Executive Director, Launch Blue
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Kim Sayre, P.E.
R&D Partnerships Manager, Pigman College of Engineering
Erin Shea
Erin Shea
I-Corps Program Manager, Launch Blue
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Raechele Smalls
Director, Launch Blue Ventures
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Allison Spurrier
Executive Administrative Assistant, AVPR
Zack Stacy
Zachary Stacy, J.D.
Associate Director, Intellectual Property Development, Technology Commercialization
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Laura Triplett
Project Manager, Launch Blue
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Matthew Upton, J.D.
Director, Technology Commercialization
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Serenity Wright, Ed.D.
Senior Executive Director for Innovation, Community Health, and Societal Impact
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Ali Bocook Yankey, J.D.
Senior Manager, Contracts, Technology Commercialization

Student Ambassadors

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Emersyn Acomb
Student Associate, Marketing & Communications
Yasmin
Yasmin Affini
Communications Ambassador, Launch Blue
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Mya Beard
Student Assistant, Intellectual Property Development, Technology Commercialization
Eva
Eva Blankenberger
Communications Ambassador, Launch Blue
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Claire DeWeese
Fellow, Intellectual Property Development, Technology Commercialization
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Catherine Fullen
Student Associate, Marketing & Communications
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Jaden Edelen
Student Associate, Marketing & Communications
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Samuel Howlett
Ambassador, Commercialization, Technology Commercialization
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Jack Hughes
Ambassador, Launch Blue Ventures
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Maximillian LeDoux
Commercialization and Innovation Leader, Social Innovation
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Bryce Marks
Fellow, Intellectual Property Development, Technology Commercialization
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Emily Marsh
Research Fellow, R&D Partnerships
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Shem Odhiambo
Fellow, R&D Partnerships
Kevin O
Kevin Otieno
Entrepreneurial Lead, Social Innovation
MaKenzie
MaKenzie Purdom
Senior Ambassador, Launch Blue
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Amy Rice
Law Clerk, Contracts, Technology Commercialization
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Loan Vu
OTC Fellow, Intellectual Property Development, Technology Commercialization
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Christopher Whitley
Fellow, Marketing & Communications
Beatriz
Beatriz Heringer
Communications Ambassador, Launch Blue