Our Mission |
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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. 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.
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Meet the UARF Team
Dr. Suzanne BauschPresident 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
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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.
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Tricia Pihlblad
Tricia Pihlblad
Coordinator
[email protected]
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Fred Carter
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Niraj Jaishwal
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UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGSJanuary 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 |