UK, LOCKHEED MARTIN TO PARTNER, DRIVING INNOVATION IN ADVANCED ENGINEERING | | |
The University of Kentucky, through UK Innovate, is partnering with Lockheed Martin to accelerate innovation in engineering, materials, energy and manufacturing. The collaboration aims to expand access to engineering and technology education while supporting research that translates into real-world solutions.
Lockheed Martin, a global leader in defense technology, brings decades of expertise and a workforce of more than 70,000 engineers and scientists. “This partnership highlights UK’s commitment to innovation and UK Innovate’s role in connecting our research with industry to drive meaningful impact,” said Landon Borders, senior associate director for innovation economic development and industry partnerships at UK Innovate.
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BLUEPRINTS FOR INNOVATION RECAP:
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY IN THE BLUEGRASS STATE
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On April 23, UK Innovate co-hosted Blueprints for Innovation with C4IP and KYIPA to highlight the role of intellectual property in driving innovation and economic growth in Kentucky.
The event featured a fireside chat with U.S. Representative Thomas Massie and former U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director Andrei Iancu, who discussed how patents support invention and national progress. A panel moderated by Ian McClure, J.D., vice president for innovation at UK HealthCare and associate vice president for research, innovation and economic impact at UK Research, explored the importance of IP in university research and commercialization.
The forum concluded with a networking reception, encouraging continued dialogue around advancing Kentucky’s innovation ecosystem.
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PROVOST IMPACT AWARD:
PREPARING UK STUDENTS TO BE WORK-READY
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A multidisciplinary team at the University of Kentucky has received a 2024–25 IMPACT Award for a project focused on boosting undergraduate career readiness by incorporating Work Integrated Learning into the curriculum. The initiative brings together faculty from the Pigman College of Engineering and the Gatton College of Business and Economics to connect students with real-world challenges provided by industry partners.
UK Innovate’s Kim Sayre, P.E., R&D partnerships manager, and Serenity Wright, Ed.D., senior executive director for innovation, community health and societal impact, are contributing to efforts to expand the program across campus. The team will host faculty workshops and build partnerships to support practical, cross-disciplinary student learning experiences.
| | CONGRATULATIONS TO LAUNCH BLUE’S UACCEL QUICK START + I-CORPS SPRING COHORT GRADUATES | | |
Join us in celebrating the accomplishments of the Spring 2025 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps cohort. Through the program’s two phases, Quick Start and I-Corps, participants explored the best commercialization pathways for their technologies.
Congratulations to our cohort award winners:
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Customer Discovery Award: Hady Sabra, Ph.D. candidate, University of Kentucky
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Perseverance Award: Kendall Rowe, engineering/MBA dual degree candidate, University of Kentucky
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Pivot Award: Courtney Luecking, graduate research assistant, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Anna Cason, RD, LD, senior extension associate, University of Kentucky
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UK INNOVATE’S ZACHARY STACY ELECTED STAFF TRUSTEE
Zachary Stacy, J.D., associate director of intellectual property development for UK Innovate, has been elected to serve as staff trustee on the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees. Chosen through the university’s annual community election, Stacy will begin his three-year term on July 1, 2025.
As staff trustee, he will represent UK staff as one of 20 members on the Board, contributing to decisions that guide the university’s future.
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LANDON BORDERS RECEIVES STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARD
Landon Borders, executive director of R&D partnerships at UK Innovate, was honored with the Staff Excellence Award at the 2025 Research Staff Appreciation and Networking Event.
Colleagues praised his thoughtful leadership, ability to “create clarity from chaos” and commitment to solving real-world problems. His collaborative approach and trust-based leadership were highlighted as key to his impact across campus.
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SENIOR CONTRACTS MANAGER
UK Innovate is hiring a Senior Contracts Manager. In this role, you’ll draft, negotiate and manage agreements that drive innovation partnerships—including IP licenses, NDAs, MTAs and collaboration agreements. You’ll work closely with faculty innovators and external partners to bring university technologies to market while streamlining contract processes and ensuring compliance.
This position is eligible to be fully remote.
Deadline to Apply: 05/22/2025
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STEPS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, R&D PARTNERSHIPS
UK Innovate is hiring a STEPS Administrative Assistant to support our R&D Partnerships team. In this role, you’ll coordinate meetings and events, support data entry and reporting, assist with program administration and help manage invoicing for UK Innovate’s industry engagement programs.
Deadline to Apply: 05/27/2025
| | SAVE THE DATE: PATENT PALOOZA! 2025 | | |
Patent Palooza! 2025 will take place on Tuesday, September 23. This annual event celebrates the University of Kentucky’s innovation community with awards, networking and an afternoon dedicated to recognizing research and discovery.
Stay tuned for more details.
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FY 2025
(THROUGH 04/30/2025)
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LICENSES/OPTIONS EXECUTED
APRIL 2025
Quercis Pharma AG
Sylvie Garneau-Tsodikova
University of Arkansas
Todd Burus, Pamela Hull, Lee Park
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CLINICAL RESEARCH TRAINING SERIES FOR UK RESEARCHERS
For researchers developing health-related innovations, understanding clinical trials is essential. The CRSO Training Series, offered by UK’s Clinical Research Support Office (CRSO) and Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), provides monthly sessions focused on study coordination, research billing and trial management.
Sessions are held the first Thursday of each month.
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AI IN MANUFACTURING SYMPOSIUM
Join the AI Applied Consortium at the Gatton Student Center on May 29 from 1 to 5 p.m. for an afternoon of expert insights on how AI is transforming manufacturing. The event will feature keynote talks, panels and a networking reception. Complimentary for manufacturing professionals and consortium partners.
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