In September 2016, to better engage and educate the scientific community, the NCI TTC launched the first federal Technology Transfer Ambassadors Program (TTAP). The program has significantly impacted TT efforts at the NCI and is now being offered across the NIH. TTAP is the first formal TT training and mentoring program open to NIH post-doctoral (post-docs) scientists and staff scientists/staff clinicians seeking professional development in invention analysis, commercialization, and entrepreneurship. The one-year program augments the scientist’s current research activities and boosts the impact of technology transfer at NIH. TTAP results in a more entrepreneurial culture, stronger connections between technology transfer and the scientific community, and enhanced efficiency of NIH technology transfer efforts for commercialization. TTAP is a particularly unique opportunity for its range of subject matter; experience gained through training is valuable toward a wide variety of career paths.

Previous Ambassadors have pursued careers such as: federal technology transfer managers, patent agents and technical specialists at law firms, health science analysts in the federal government, drug reviewers at the FDA, and staff scientists or senior scientists in the federal government or private sector. TTAP Ambassadors also add value to the annual NCI Technology Showcase by putting into practice their newly acquired TT skills and presenting pitches and posters about the commercialization potential of NIH technologies. Learn more: https://techtransfer.cancer.gov/aboutttc/ambassadors

Award Recipients: TTAP Team Leads, NCI TTC:
• Laura Prestia, Ph.D., Communications & Strategic Initiatives Manager
• Rose Freel, Ph.D., Senior TTM
• Taryn Dick, Ph.D., M.B.A., TTM
• Abritee Dhal, Ph.D., TTM