Turning Collaboration into Impact – Without Compromising IP
By: Crystal Carter, Ed.D.
Texas A&M Innovation brought together researchers, faculty, and staff from across The Texas A&M University System on March 26, 2026, for an InnovationU seminar focused on “Engaging with Industry While Protecting TAMUS Intellectual Property (IP).” Hosted at the Memorial Student Center with a virtual livestream option, the session explored best practices for navigating early conversations with external collaborators while safeguarding existing and prospective intellectual property.
The discussion featured a distinguished panel of experts, including Dr. Gerard L. Coté, Associate Agency Director at the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), James J. Cain Professor in the department of Biomedical Engineering and a globally recognized leader in bioengineering innovation; Sabrina C. Allan, Director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Contract Office with expertise spanning science and law; and Dr. Robert Hanson, Partner and Chair of Dentons’ U.S. Intellectual Property and Technology practice, who brings extensive experience in patent strategy and portfolio management.
The session was moderated by Janie Hurley, Senior Director, who leads the Texas A&M Innovation licensing team and has more than 26 years of experience in intellectual property protection and commercialization, including specialized expertise in plant varieties and germplasm licensing.
Together, the panel offered practical guidance on engaging with industry partners while protecting intellectual property, equipping attendees with strategies to confidently pursue collaborations without compromising IP rights to advance research toward real-world impact. A recording of the session is available for those who were unable to attend or would like to revisit the discussion.
