The University of Tennessee Research Foundation is proud to welcome Todd Ponzio as its new Vice President of the UTRF office located at the UT Health Science Center. Ponzio brings a wealth of experience to the role from his time advancing biomedical and healthcare technologies at the National Institutes of Health, Naval Medical Research Center and, most recently, Wake Forest Innovations.
Today, Ponzio is passionate about turning research into products, but he didn’t always intend to pursue a career in technology transfer. Originally from California, he graduated with his doctorate in neuroscience from the University of California, Riverside, specializing in physiology and pharmacology. Ponzio grew interested in tech transfer and intellectual property while working as a postdoc at NIH.
The idea that what I was working on might be of interest to someone else got me thinking,” said Ponzio. “I realized I wanted to be involved in the process of turning biomedical discoveries and technology into products that could be useful beyond basic research.”
He took a fellowship working as a Technology Transfer Specialist for NIH, where he learned the value of collaborating with industry partners to accelerate development more effectively. As he worked with biomedical technologies, he began learning about regulatory affairs.
To truly commercialize IP related to new biomedical discoveries, you have to go through the regulatory process,” said Ponzio. “Understanding the process and the FDA really helps when you’re in a position like mine. It’s great for knowing what your partners need to do and go through so you can work with them and help them the best you can.”
After NIH, Ponzio spent nearly eight years at the Naval Medical Research Center, serving as the Director of the Office of Research and Technology Applications, where he became familiar with product and market development activities. His office was one of 40 different technology transfer offices, yet it was responsible for around 30% of the Navy’s portfolio.
One of the things I am most proud of was that we were able to do several deals where we included language ensuring that the government would not pay more than private sector counterparts for similar quantities of the same product,” said Ponzio. “It was important to get products to market that could serve the country and the military, and do so in a way that saved taxpayer money.”
Most recently, he served as the associate vice president of Wake Forest Innovations. The COVID-19 pandemic hit soon after his arrival, but during his tenure, the office tripled its licensing portfolio.
UTRF is thrilled to welcome Dr. Todd Ponzio to the team. He brings years of biomedical technology transfer experience and a unique perspective to our work at the UTRF,” said UTRF President Stacey Patterson. “Memphis is the medical hub in our state. With his passion for the field and knowledge of regulatory affairs, product development and more, he will be a tremendous asset for the UTHSC researchers looking to commercialize their discoveries.”
Ponzio has been familiar with UTRF and the organization’s work because he and his wife lived in Memphis for five years during her residency. He was elated to come across the job advertisement and not only work for the UTRF team, but also live in Memphis again.
When I saw the advertisements for this opportunity, we knew we wanted to get back to Memphis,” said Ponzio. “I love the community atmosphere, enrichment of medical activities, and then on the culture side, it’s hard to compete with Memphis – from blues to BBQ. We love the city.”
Looking ahead, Ponzio is excited to form relationships with UT researchers, administrators and anyone interested in the practical applications of their work. Even for those not currently thinking about commercialization, Ponzio wishes to meet them too.
You never know what an application might be. I want to meet them because they should know who to call if they have an idea later,” said Ponzio. “I am looking forward to leveraging the capabilities across UT to promote and support the research enterprise and commercialize as much as possible. I think UTRF already does a fantastic job – I’m standing on the shoulders of giants.”