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About Us

Our Mission

UARF's mission is to transform and expand the region's innovation economy through entrepreneurship education, technology commercialization, application of UA research, and creation of new entrepreneurial ventures. 

Since its creation in 2001, UARF has become a significant source of support for both UA innovators and Northeast Ohio entrepreneurs.
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UARF is home to one of the nation's first I-Corps Sites, one of the first Ohio-awarded technology validation funds.UARF is also proud to be a member of the Northeast Ohio Entrepreneurial Signature Program.​​ 

Meet the UARF Team
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Dr. Suzanne Bausch

President of UARF
[email protected]​
​Dr. Bausch serves as the University of Akron’s chief research officer where she is responsible for growing the University's research enterprise including grants, contracts and sponsored programs; intellectual property administration, patent marketing and licensing; and oversight of programs to encourage basic, applied and funded research among faculty, staff and students.

​She also oversees technology commercialization of University intellectual property and economic development as well as outreach to build relationships between the business community and the research enterprise.
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Kelly Bialek
Executive Director of UARF
​[email protected]

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​Kelly Bialek serves as the Director of Technology Transfer at The University of Akron (UA) and the Executive Director of the University of Akron Research Foundation (UARF). With years of experience in technology commercialization and intellectual property (IP) management, particularly in the areas of polymers, advanced materials, medical devices, electronics, and sensor technologies, she plays a key role in translating academic research into real-world industry applications.
Bialek oversees daily operations at UARF and UA's portfolio of more than 400 active patents and facilitates licensing agreements with a broad range of partners—from Fortune 500 companies to innovative startups. She is also deeply involved in the I-Corps program, a National Science Foundation initiative designed to help researchers and entrepreneurs explore the commercial potential of their innovations.  
 As a proud UA alumna, she remains deeply committed to advancing research, supporting innovation, and fostering entrepreneurship within the higher education ecosystem.


​Dr. David Strukel
Innovation Entrepreneurship Coordinator
[email protected]

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​Dr. Strukel brings nearly two decades of experience in higher education to UARF, having spent the last 9.5 years at Hiram College, most recently serving as Director of the Burton D. Morgan Center for Integrated Entrepreneurship. In this role, he oversaw annual programming, managed budgets, expanded program outreach, and mentored aspiring student entrepreneurs. Prior to his directorship, he served as an Assistant Professor at Hiram, worked as a Lecturer in Communication at the University of Toledo, and spent several years in the broadcasting industry, where he earned multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. A proud native of Massillon, Ohio, Strukel brings a passion for innovation, communication, and student development to his new role at UARF.

Tricia Pihlblad
Tricia Pihlblad
Coordinator
[email protected]​

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Fred Carter 
Recruiter, Instructor, Mentor
[email protected]

Fred has over 25 years of experience launching products for Fortune 500 companies and leading customer segment development teams. Leveraging this extensive background, he started his own consulting company in 2022. Through networking, he connected with the team at UARF and began mentoring I-Corps participants. This mentorship evolved into a recruiting and instructing role at UARF.
Passionate about fostering entrepreneurship and community involvement, Fred actively volunteers and participates in youth career exploration programs. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities like backpacking and kayaking.
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Niraj Jaishwal
Entrepreneurial Program Intern
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I am an International Student from Nepal. I am pursuing a major in Bachelor of Computer Science, a second Major in Applied Mathematics with focus in Data Science and a minor in Statistics. In addition to my academic pursuits, I'm actively engaged in a certificate program offered by Google in Data Analytics enhancing my skills for comprehensive analysis and problem-solving.
I ventured into entrepreneurship, operating a Small Scale business ( Bag Factory) back in Nepal, where I used to preform most of the technical to administrative work.
Combining my academic endeavors with real-world experience, I'm poised to tackle challenges with a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical insight.

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS

January 29, 2025  via Microsoft Teams
April 30, 2025   via Microsoft Teams
July 30, 2025    via Microsoft Teams
November 19, 2025   via Microsoft Teams
Email [email protected] for more details
441 Wolf Ledges Pkwy, Suite 303
​Akron, OH 44311
© COPYRIGHT 2018 UARF. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Senior Fellows
    • Mentorship
    • Licensing
    • Internships
  • Programs
    • Starting Line
    • News
    • I-Corps
    • Spark Fund
    • Startup Support
    • Legal Support
  • Portfolio