Texas Tech Names Director for Office of Research Commercialization
After a year as the interim director, David Snow now has officially taken the reins of Texas Tech University's Office of Research Commercialization (ORC).
The focus of the ORC is to work with Texas Tech University System researchers, their research discoveries and businesses to commercialize ideas to better society. As the director, Snow is responsible for intellectual property and licensing activity across the Texas Tech University System, including Texas Tech, Angelo State University, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso.
As a licensed patent agent, Snow serves as managing director of intellectual property for the Texas Tech University System, where he is responsible for the assessment, protection and management of the intellectual property portfolio. In addition, he manages the Technology Review Team and relations with external patent firms.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to serve my friends and colleagues within the Texas Tech community in this new capacity,” Snow said. “The innovation and commercialization ecosystem is poised to have a remarkably positive impact on the West Texas region, and I am blessed to be part of it.”
When it comes to research commercialization, Snow has personal experience. He launched a startup company that offers consultation and marketing support for biotechnology and clinical diagnostic providers developing research concepts into marketable products. He also has served in varying capacities in four other startups since 2008, two of which are businesses operating outside the technical space.
“David has long been a part of the Texas Tech community,” said Guy Loneragan, Texas Tech interim vice president for research. “I am pleased he has accepted this leadership position in furthering the innovation and commercialization opportunities for the Texas Tech University System campuses.”
Snow previously worked as a scientific liaison to healthcare practitioners for a privately held clinical laboratory startup specializing in molecular diagnostics, as a research scientist operating in the next generation genetic sequencing service space, and as a research scientist at The Institute of Environmental and Human Health. There, his research in molecular pathology focused on the biofilm model of chronic disease and the contribution of microbial load to disease states in human health, specifically in relation to atherosclerosis, and zoonotic diseases.
Snow earned his bachelor's degree in biochemistry, his master's degree in electro-analytical chemistry and his doctorate in chemistry from Texas Tech.
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