New directors hired to run technology research program

By: Rachel Gruber

Posted: 4/3/08

At Syracuse University, Hubert Yang and Molly Zimmermann are on the forefront of an innovative program law schools across the country are adopting.

The two are assistant directors in a new program that features a merger between the New York State Science and Technology Law Center at Syracuse University College of Law - bringing together the fields of technology and law.

The New York Foundation for Science, Technology and Innovation was originally named The New York State Office of Science Technology and Research (NYSTAR) when it was started in August 2004.

NYSTAR provides information to New York state centers of technology and research. It aids other academic institutions in developing new technologies to compete in an expanding marketplace, advises stakeholders in legal information on technology companies and deals with licensing and copyrighting new technology.

Moreover, NYSTAR advises technology centers in New York on technology-related law issues. With such a busy schedule, it is no surprise NYSTAR recently hired two associate directors.

Yang, a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, joined the staff of the center from Washington, D.C., and Zimmermann, an alumna of the University at Buffalo Law School, joined from the SUNY Upstate Medical School.

Both are excited to begin work with the program.

"I traded the frantic pace of the D.C. area for a slightly quieter existence in CNY," Yang said in an e-mail interview.

"The field of technology commercialization is growing quickly, and SU is fortunate to claim one of the few programs that squarely addresses the wide range of legal, business and technical issues related to technology commercialization," he said.

Zimmermann said her experiences with the students have already been extremely positive due to the interesting and creative faculty and staff of the College of Law. Yang said he cannot wait to start having them capitalize on their new ideas.

The two will be interacting with the program's faculty frequently. Zimmermann said the law students are an important factor in the organization's work.

Although the students do a fair amount of work with NYSTAR, Yang and Zimmermann will still have a lot to do.

"As an associate director, there are many day-to-day responsibilities associated with the work of the NYS STLC," Zimmermann said. "I enjoy legal research and working with a center that provides a high quality intellectual property educational resource."

Essentially, Yang and Zimmermann are responsible for leading and directing research, administration and conducting grant activities within the program.

Yang would also like to add a few more things to his to-do list in the school. "It's critical that we continue to increase the visibility of the center among its current and potential stakeholders," he said. "So that would-be entrepreneurs recognize that there are numerous resources available to help them capitalize on their ideas."

Yang and Zimmermann are attempting to raise awareness, sponsoring many upcoming events in the surrounding area including Accelerate 2008: New Ideas in Technology, Manufacturing, Energy and the Environment April 30 in Syracuse.

The second annual conference will host technology companies from around the area to conference and educate each other, as well as consumers, on both existing and upcoming products that will influence economics and environmental awareness.

rgruber@syr.edu