The University of Houston’s Office of Technology Transfer and Innovation has expanded its leadership team to strengthen support for faculty innovation and increase societal impact. With new directors in licensing, industry engagement, and intellectual property, OTTI aims to accelerate commercialization, build partnerships, and empower UH researchers to bring their discoveries to life.

This feature highlights the latest cohort of University of Houston’s Innov8Hub, a 12-week accelerator program helping faculty, students, and researchers turn breakthrough ideas into real-world ventures. From biotech and AI to clean energy and advanced rehabilitation tools, the story showcases the bold innovations—and the determined entrepreneurs—shaping the future through mentorship, market insight, and a final investor-ready pitch.

Macaw UAS founder Alexandra Ulinski is advancing prototype development and pursuing strategic partnerships following her second-place finish at UH’s Fall 2024 Innov8Hub Pitch Day. The story highlights her work on a modular drone platform for air quality monitoring and its potential applications across research, emergency response, and industry.