Edward T. Tirpak, Esq. - Associate Director
Education and Background:
Mr. Tirpak has been a licensed patent attorney for 17 years, has over 10 years full time Technology Transfer and licensing experience, and has taught Technology Transfer/IP Management and Licensing at UB Law School and UB’s School of Management as part of their J.D. and M.B.A. programs. Mr. Tirpak earned his J.D. Degree from UB Law School (1992) and his B.S. Degree (In Vitro Cell Biology/Biotechnology) from S.U.N.Y. at Plattsburgh (1989).
Responsibilities:
The Associate Director reports to the Director of Technology Transfer and assists the Director with the full range of intellectual property and Technology Transfer activities at RPCI. Specific activities the Associate Director assists the Director with include: intellectual property matters, negotiation and drafting of IP Licenses and related Agreements, patent docket, license docket and patent budget management, business development/start-up efforts, interactions with Health Research Inc and RPCI’s Legal Department and Committees, Technology Transfer Policy matters, assessing Invention Disclosures, securing patent protection through interactions with outside counsel, and facilitating internal and external relationships and educational efforts.
Kristen Castner – Intellectual Property Manager
Education and Background:
Kristen E. Castner earned a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies (1999) and an Associate of Science in Paralegal (1997) from Bay Path College, Longmeadow, MA. Prior to joining Roswell Park in 2002, she spent 3 years in the corporate Intellectual Property Department at Corning Incorporated in Corning, NY, where she assisted staff attorneys in patent and trademark prosecution as well as IP litigation for the company’s Optical Communications Division.
Responsibilities :
The Intellectual Property Manager reports to the Director of Technology Transfer. IP Manager handles all aspects of the Invention Disclosure management and reporting process including receiving disclosures and other related patent documents, performing federal invention reporting, and managing communications with outside patent counsel. Additional duties include supporting the licensing process and market research functions, office and contract/IP database management, financial functions such as receipt and distribution of royalty income, issuance and collection of invoices, and tracking and analyzation of all patent-related legal expenses. Reviews and negotiates Material Transfer Agreements and Confidential Disclosure Agreements in conjunction with the Office of General Counsel at Roswell Park.