Erin Overstreet has been selected as the new executive director of the USC Stevens Center for Innovation where she will oversee the university’s commercialization of USC-driven intellectual property.
Overstreet’s expertise and experience embody technology transfer and innovation across the academic, educational, and venture capital sectors; such experience is critical for bridging USC research to a broadened, national technology transfer ecosystem, said Ishwar Puri, senior vice president of the Office of Research and Innovation.
“The university has the utmost confidence in Dr. Overstreet’s ability to lead USC Stevens successfully. Her background and experience fully align with the role itself, and we are excited to see the new directions she takes and her impact on USC Stevens and the university as a whole,” Puri.
Overstreet’s appointment comes after a comprehensive process that included a six-member search committee of individuals from multiple USC schools and offices chaired by Mark Humayun of Keck School of Medicine of USC. Feedback also was solicited from a panel of 36 USC faculty and staff from the Viterbi School of Engineering, Keck School of Medicine, Marshall School of Business, Office of the General Counsel, Human Resources, and Federal Relations, among other entities.
“This process was very methodical, given the extensive responsibilities of the executive director and the impact this position has on the commercialization of the university’s rich intellectual property. It is imperative that USC Stevens is equipped with the personnel and tools needed to advance research at USC and translate it for societal impact,” said Steven Moldin, interim associate vice president for research strategy and innovation who preceded Overstreet as the interim executive director of USC Stevens.
Overstreet started her new role on Monday. She will be responsible for increasing and accelerating the commercialization of USC-driven intellectual property, with the intent of affecting a positive financial impact through license income, patents, royalties, contract research, and joint ventures. This in turn is intended to augment the societal impact of USC research and its products. She reports to the associate vice president of research strategy and innovation.
As part of the USC Office of Research and Innovation, USC Stevens is the technology transfer licensing office for USC. It serves as a university-wide resource for innovators and entrepreneurs and plays a crucial role in Southern California’s innovation ecosystem. USC Stevens licenses USC discoveries to existing businesses or startup companies to develop them into products and services that improve human lives, solve problems and fuel economic growth.
Overstreet comes to USC Stevens following roles where she was embedded in early-stage start-up companies spearheading company formations, operations, financing, and strategy. Most recently, she provided services to emerging companies as an independent consultant and served as head of corporate development and operations for Delta TpX, a seed-stage cancer immune-oncology company. Prior to this, Overstreet served as the director of licensing at the University of Texas, Austin Office of Technology Commercialization where she led a team of licensing professionals who protect and commercialize intellectual property covering early-stage technologies across all industries.