March 11, 2025 – The School of Graduate Studies, Rutgers University
Rutgers’ is a research and innovation powerhouse as most recently illustrated by the top 100 ranking in a worldwide ranking of utility patents granted to university inventors. How can RU graduate students transform their research into real-world impact? On March 11, the School of Graduate Studies (SGS), in collaboration with the Rutgers Office for Research - Technology Transfer, hosted an engaging workshop, From Research to Impact: Navigating Innovation and Research Commercialization at Rutgers for Graduate Students. The event, designed to introduce graduate students, particularly doctoral candidates, to the university’s research commercialization ecosystem, was held virtually.
Empowering Graduate Students as Innovators
Led by Dr. Eusebio (EZ) Pires, Senior Manager of Technology Marketing & Business Development, the workshop provided an insightful overview of Rutgers’ commitment to fostering innovation and supporting researchers in navigating the complex world of intellectual property (IP), industry partnerships, and commercialization pathways. Dr. Pires highlighted key initiatives that enable graduate students to protect their discoveries, partner with industries, and even launch startups based on their research.
Students learned about Rutgers’ Technology Transfer Training Program, the Road to Commercialization Symposium Series, and the Rutgers Innovation Awards, which recognize groundbreaking work by graduate student inventors. The session also covered crucial aspects of IP protection, including the Rutgers Patent Policy, which outlines how inventions are managed within the university and how students can benefit from their contributions.
Bridging Academia and Industry
A key theme of the workshop was the role of Technology Transfer in bridging academic research and societal impact. Real-world case studies, including Rutgers-developed innovations like disease-resistant crops, biomedical devices, and advanced material technologies, illustrated how university-led research can shape industries and improve lives. Dr. Pires encouraged graduate students to think beyond traditional academic pathways, emphasizing that research commercialization is not just for faculty members.
Resources for Entrepreneurial-Minded Researchers
Attendees gained practical knowledge about the steps required to disclose an invention, apply for patents, and collaborate with industry partners. They also learned about funding and mentorship opportunities available through Rutgers New Ventures, a unit dedicated to helping researchers develop startup companies.
For students eager to delve deeper into commercialization, Rutgers offers multiple avenues of support, including:
- The Tech Transfer Trainee Program, which provides hands-on experience in evaluating and marketing innovations.
- Funding initiatives like TechAdvance and HealthAdvance, designed to accelerate research translation.
- The I-Corps program, which helps researchers explore market opportunities for their discoveries.
Next Steps for Interested Students
Students interested in learning more about research commercialization at Rutgers can explore resources and support at research.rutgers.edu or contact innovate@research.rutgers.edu for further guidance.
As Rutgers continues to foster a culture of innovation, this workshop marked an important step in equipping graduate students with the tools they need to navigate the intersection of research and commercialization successfully.