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Dr. R.W. Trewyn, K-State’s Vice President for Research, also serves as the President of KSURF and is a member of its Board of Directors. At the University level, he is involved in directing the office of research and overseeing research compliance. Through KSURF, he oversees the technology transfer activities of the institution.

Prior to joining the medical school faculty at Ohio State University, Dr. Trewyn conducted cancer research at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. His research efforts focused on the molecular and cellular events involved in cancer development and treatment.

He has been awarded 15 competitive extramural grants totaling $3.5 million, and has written 39 peer-reviewed journal articles, 10 book chapters, three review articles, and 31 scientific abstracts. He has lectured at international symposia, scientific and non-scientific meetings, universities and pharmaceutical companies, and has provided testimony before committees of the Kansas and Ohio legislatures and the National Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Trewyn joined K-State in 1994 as the Associate Vice Provost for Research. He was appointed the President of KSURF in 1995 and accepted the position of Vice Provost for Research and Dean of the Graduate School in 1998. Recently, he was promoted to Vice President for Research with the research office separating from the Graduate School.

Dr. Trewyn received his B.S. degree from Wisconsin State University, and his Ph.D. in microbial physiology/biochemistry and genetics from Oregon State University. He is a Vietnam War veteran and remains active in military affairs.

As Vice President, Ms. Molina facilitates the protection and commercialization of K-State’s intellectual property. With the inventor’s assistance, she is responsible for assessing the protectability of new invention disclosures. She engages patent counsel and works with them to obtain and maintain the most beneficial patent protection possible.

Ms. Molina works closely with the National Institute for Strategic Technology Acquisition and Commercialization (NISTAC) to assess a disclosure’s commercial potential and oversee its marketing, in addition to approving licenses and other agreements. NISTAC is contracted to market K-State technologies and manage the creation of related start-up companies. She communicates with the Vice President for Research and KSURF’s Board of Directors to set and interpret policies as they pertain to technology transfer activities.

Ms. Molina joined the KSURF staff in 2002. Prior to that, she was with NISTAC where her responsibilities included marketing and commercialization of intellectual property. She has a B.A. degree in molecular biology from Wellesley College and a J.D. degree from the University of Cincinnati. She previously worked in contract law in the patent division and purchasing division of Procter & Gamble.

Ms. Mohanty accepted the position of Program Assistant for Technology Transfer in July 2007. She handles aspects of the invention disclosure management and reporting process including receiving disclosures and other patent documents, entering disclosure information into databases, and ensuring that all legal and governmental regulatory intellectual property mandates are met.

She works closely with inventors, licensees and external patent counsel to facilitate correspondence and monitor patent prosecution activities. She also processes materials related to copyright and trademark prosecution.

Ms. Mohanty holds an M.S. degree in physics from Utkal University, India and an M.S. degree in computer science from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

As the Business Manager, Ms. Landis is responsible for financial functions in the office, including invoicing, receipt and disbursement of revenues associated with licenses; invoicing and receipt of reimbursements from licensees; and payments to vendors (law firms, patent agents, etc.) who provide support to the office.

She works closely with licensing personnel to ensure licensee compliance with financial terms of agreements. Ms. Landis also manages information flow between KSURF, its board of directors and administrative committees. In addition, she coordinates the university's annual inventor recognition event.

Ms. Landis received her B.S. degree in accounting from K-State. She joined KSURF in 1993 and has experience in governmental, private, and public accounting.