The University of Houston’s Office of Technology Transfer and Innovation (OTTI) is proud to announce the expansion of its leadership team. This growth underscores a renewed commitment to supporting UH faculty in translating their research into innovations that benefit society.
Strengthening Licensing and Industry Engagement
Two accomplished professionals have joined OTTI to help accelerate commercialization and industry collaboration:
Dr. Joseph Jilka joins as Director of Licensing Operations, bringing over two decades of experience in academic and private sector technology transfer. He has held leadership roles at Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Penn State College of Medicine, and the University of Kansas Medical Center. In the private sector, he worked with TreMonti Consulting and ProdiGene, Inc., and currently mentors new ventures. Joe will lead licensing operations and help researchers strategically position their IP for real-world application. He earned his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed postdoctoral research with Monsanto Agricultural Company.
Dr. Gavin Garvey, a two-time UH graduate (Ph.D. ’15, MBA '20), returns to his alma mater as Director of Industry Engagement. Gavin has built a career at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization, with previous roles at Baylor College of Medicine, Virginia Tech, and as co-founder of startups including DxRuptive and Luminostics. His background spans dilutive and non-dilutive funding, early-stage technology marketing, and startup development. At UH, he will focus on building strong industry partnerships and growing opportunities for faculty through sponsored research and strategic licensing.
Expanded Role for Chanelle Mack
Chanelle Mack, J.D., has been promoted to Director of Intellectual Property. With years of experience as an IP attorney and former patent examiner at the USPTO, Chanelle brings valuable technical and legal insight to managing UH’s growing patent portfolio and supporting faculty in protecting their innovations. In addition to her J.D., Chanelle also possesses a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and an L.L.M. in intellectual property and information law.
A Refocused Mission: Faculty-Centered Support
The expanded OTTI team is purpose-built to offer targeted support to UH faculty. Whether navigating the patent process, exploring licensing opportunities, or forming a startup, faculty now have a broader, more integrated team ready to assist at every step of the innovation journey.
Empowering Entrepreneurship and Startups
OTTI also provides a full suite of resources for UH-affiliated entrepreneurs—from incubator and accelerator programs to startup education and coaching. These efforts are led by Dr. Haleh Ardebili, Assistant Vice President of Entrepreneurship and Startup Ecosystem, and Dr. Tanu Chatterji, Associate Director of Startup Development.
Let’s Work Together to Bring Your Research to Life
UH researchers interested in protecting or commercializing their discoveries are encouraged to contact OTTI at oipm@central.uh.edu. Whether you’re exploring patents, partnerships, or launching a startup, OTTI is here to guide and support your next move.
Visit our website at uh.edu/innovation to learn more, and let’s turn breakthrough research into lasting impact.