The University of Tennessee Research Foundation recently welcomed two new team members. CeCe Ging joins as the Staff Attorney, while Emma Vetland joins as an Assistant Technology Manager.
Originally from Lebanon, Tennessee, Ging received her bachelor’s in chemistry and biochemistry from Washington University in St. Louis and her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law. While at UTK, she worked for a year at UTRF as one of its first Commercialization Analysts.
I knew I wanted to go into law since I was little,” said Ging. “I also wanted to first build a strong STEM background. It just so happens that having a science background is great for intellectual property law.”
After law school, she worked in Missouri, Colorado, and Texas. Most recently, she was an IP Attorney for the Texas A&M University System. A decade after leaving Knoxville, she is excited to return to her alma mater and be closer to family.
“Interning with UTRF was my first exposure to technology transfer,” said Ging. “Not only does UTRF serve a vital role as the connector bringing research and discoveries from the lab to real world applications and products, it also supports economic development for the State of Tennessee.”
I am excited to have CeCe join the team as UTRF continues to deliver on its mission,” said Maha Krishnamurthy, President of UTRF.
Outside of work, CeCe stays busy raising her six-month-old baby and loves hiking, cooking, and traveling.
A Pennsylvania native, Vetland earned her bachelor’s degree in materials science from Pennsylvania State University. For nearly seven years after graduation, she worked for GKN Aerospace, the world’s leading multi-technology tier 1 aerospace supplier, in St. Louis and Knoxville – first as a production engineer and later as a technology project manager.
Originally, I wanted to be on the research side. But over the years, I’ve slowly transitioned from doing lab work to being more on the project manager side and now on the technology manager side,” said Vetland.
At her previous job, Vetland collaborated with universities and research institutions. In her new role, she will be on the flip side of those interactions with industrial partners. She believes her R&D background will help her grasp new technologies and industries she works with.
Having a scientific foundation when you’re handed a project where you don’t have a strong background in gives you the tools to understand the technology quickly,” said Vetland. “I’m interested in becoming involved in licensing discussions and excited to build relationships with researchers across the university to help them get their tech out into the world.”
When she’s not working, Vetland likes to spend time outdoors hiking and backpacking. She has a dog and two cats and volunteers at Young-Williams Animal Center, where she fosters dogs a few times a year.
What we do at UTRF is only possible because of the strength of our team,” said Kusum Rathore, Vice President of the UTRF Multi Campus Office. “Emma’s time at GKN Aerospace adds a unique perspective when evaluating innovation portfolios.”