Emory’s Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) helps researchers and inventors turn their research into reality, and the people behind the scenes make it possible. OTT staff members are a tight-knit team who work tirelessly to commercialize Emory technologies and maximize their impact.
Did you know that we call ourselves OTTers (or “otters”)? Our collective nickname, along with our monthly OTTer Award honoring high-performing licensing associates, build a strong sense of camaraderie and drive us to do our best work.
To celebrate the outstanding work of OTT employees over our 40 years, we asked a few current OTTers about their experience at OTT.
What’s your most vivid memory of working at OTT?
Forty years is a lot of time to make memories. We’ve moved offices three times, grown our team, brought over 60 products to market, and have fostered countless relationships with industry partners and with Emory researchers. Here’s what stands out for some OTTers.
Linda Kesselring, Operations Director: I’ve always said it was the patients that I was able to meet while filming our products that reached the market series. The closing in a blog I wrote about one of those experiences was “When my time in tech transfer is done, I’m certain Martha [Rhodes]’s visit and her story will be one of the highlights.” And now that my retirement is near, I still feel the same way. [Editor’s note: Linda retired at the end of February 2025, after nearly 20 years at OTT and 30 years at Emory. We wish her all the best!]
Mark Coburn, Director, Licensing: My most vivid memory was about one of my colleagues working late in the evening to finish up a license agreement on the last day of our fiscal year. It meant the entire office would reach its incentive goals, since finishing the agreement pushed us over the top of our goals.
Jen Folger, Financial Analyst: I’ve only been here a year and a little bit, but I think what stands out the most is presenting a report I put together to [Executive Director] Todd, [Director, License and Patent Strategy] Jill, and Linda. It took a lot of effort to get the information in a format that could display the varying levels of information we needed while still being useful, but I got it done.
Kim Dunn, Compliance Associate: That’s a hard one—there are many. Prior to pandemic, we were in a different office space, and had an area called the hub with a large counter/island in the middle. Almost every day at some point, OTTers would randomly gather in the hub around the island to chat about their day, any specific work topics or we might even play a quick game of music trivia or other game that someone left there. It was a modern version of the classic watercooler conversation and a place where all could decompress from their daily grind, as everyone knows a day in OTT is always busy and even overwhelming at times. So, it was nice to be able to share a laugh for a few moments and let me say, we had some GREAT laughs!
Patrick Reynolds, Director, Faculty and Start-up Services: When I was the office technology scout, I would wander the halls of various buildings, dropping into offices and chatting with people about their research. Then I spotted this sign (below) telling people to look out for people exactly like me. 
What’s your favorite part of your day-to-day at OTT?
The office is made up of different teams, each with their own responsibilities. We enjoy working on a variety of technologies and we work hard to maximize Emory’s impact. While no two days at OTT are the same, here is what a few of the OTTers had to say about their day-to-days.
LK: Each day is different. There are new challenges, new projects, and new opportunities.
MC: My favorite part of my day-to-day is to start out the day off with anticipating the number of things I want to accomplish during the day and then ticking them off as I go through my day. I never finish the list, but I have fun trying!
JF: I find the work very satisfying. Data entry and ensuring that all the numbers tie out is never going to be glamorous work, but it makes me happy!
KD: I think I have two. Even though I enjoy the autonomy of my role, it’s always a better day when I find a reason to interact with any one of my colleagues. Aside from the social interaction, I enjoy talking to them to either resolve an issue or complete a task. Either way it’s always a good thing! Secondly, my favorite part of the day is towards the end of the day when I can sit back for a second and benchmark my productivity. That seems like a good motivator for the next day, knowing what needs to be done.
PR: Seeing cutting edge, innovative technologies years or even decades before they will be in the hands of patients, clinicians, or caregivers.
HIV antiretrovirals, created at Emory University, resulted in the largest monetization in academic tech transfer at the time.
What’s the most rewarding part of the job?
Over our 40 years, we’ve produced real-world impact, championed innovation, and identified potential in lifesaving technologies. In their different roles, OTTers work toward the lofty goal of improving humanity by bridging academic research and industry development.
LK: That’s a two-pronged answer. One, being part of the team that built the program to become recognized nationally. Two, seeing the impact of the research and discovery of Emory faculty.
MC: The most rewarding part of my job is to help solve problems for my colleagues based on my experience of having dealt with a similar problem before or having the knowledge and experience to help figure out the problem with them.
JF: Knowing that what I am doing helps the team and that we’re all contributing to make our office a success.
KD: Being an integral part of an academic environment that contributes to the well-being of the entire world is fascinating. Emory’s research along with OTT’s commercialization efforts have transcended globally in saving lives such as its earlier development of anti-retroviral therapeutics for HIV and most recently the anti-viral therapeutic for COVID-19. The many embryonic technologies disclosed to our office is so interesting; however, to know the possibility exists that, even if one, might be a homerun in serving the public is amazing!
PR: Working with start-up founders to help them turn their ideas into products that save lives.
Most of the team at Research Week, October 2023.
We’re celebrating OTT’s 40th anniversary! Follow along throughout 2025 as we reflect on four decades of advancing innovation from the bench to the market.
— Jenna Woods