Robert Garces, Phd, Mba Email & Phone Number

United States

Bedford, Massachusetts, United States

Directly involved in product development, contributing during yearly product development meetings, primarily on their Water Warriors brand water blaster product line thanks to my deep understanding of the relevant consumer marketplace; also provided advice used for the improvement of other branded products produced by Buzz Bee Toys Inc. that were adopted by the company. Notable accomplishments include:• Conceptualized and designed 11 new water blaster models (drawings, technical designs, and/or physical breadboards) which subsequently went into production; one design was patented (HK patent granted, US Patent pending), one additional technology patent application pending. These designs resulted in over $10.5 million (USD) in gross sales from over 3.5 million products sold to retailers.

Greater Boston Area

Active member and also part of the BHA Screening Committee that helps evaluate which new investment opportunities should be presented during BHA General Investor Meetings.

Billerica, Massachusetts, United States

• Manage technology development, alliance management, and collaborative project management including therapeutic developments across multiple indications.• Coordinate more than a dozen projects involving academic researchers, CROs, and/or small biotech companies on topics ranging from pandemic preparedness (vaccine and antiviral development), oncology and immuno-oncology asset development, biomarker profiling in patient populations.• Scout for disruptive/transformative technologies and platforms; responsible for initial technology reviews, managing due diligence activities, as well as initial collaboration/partnering activities.

Billerica, Massachusetts, United States

Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

• Manage technology development projects, alliance management, and licensing activities including patented therapeutic compounds that target respiratory diseases as well as unique oncology biomarkers for diagnostic use. Ensure business and technology development activities align and support the mission of the Van Andel Research Institute.• Review all invention disclosures. Perform prior art searches, due diligence, market and competitive landscape analyses. Make final call on patent filing decisions as well as deciding when to allow a granted patent to lapse.• Direct and assist with filing and prosecution of patent applications. Work on multiple international patent applications and office actions, ensuring activities and outcomes match targeted business development near-term and long term strategies.• Negotiate and facilitate execution of VARI’s technology licensing agreements. • Maintain efficient IP identification and evaluation process.

Grand Rapids, Mi

Since December, 2014, manages the Office of Technology Development (OTD) at the Van Andel Research Institute (VARI). Presently handles VARI’s entire Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio, providing assessments of all new Invention Disclosures, and works directly with Patent Counsel for formal patent applications and examinations. Also administers a Proof-Of-Concept (POC) Program that provides funds to further the development of key VARI IP towards commercialization. Notable duties and accomplishments include:• Directly engages with all VARI research Investigators in order to identify IP at an earlier stage, develop commercialization strategies, and help identify appropriate external development or business partners • Successfully negotiated scores of agreements including sponsored research deals as well as an exclusive licensing of a VARI technology developed in part through the POC program

Michigan

The Biosciences Research & Commercialization Center (BRCC) assists with developing the life business sector across Michigan by providing direct investments / gap funding for early-stage technology transfer, pre-seed gap funding, and support for technology-based service businesses.I am also a member of the BRCC Investment Committee and help evaluate current and potential BRCC investments.

Harvard University, Boston, Ma

The eagle-i Network's goals are to make biomedical research resources more readily visible to their users. • Contacted and developed strong, productive, and lasting research resource information-sharing relationships with over 100 research labs and core facilities.• Interacted with individuals from all levels from basic and clinical scientists, principal investigators (PIs), administrators, managers, and directors.• Interfaced and developed working relationships with all Harvard-associated technology transfer offices (TTOs) including Harvard OTD, Boston Children's Hospital TIDO, Partners RVL, BIDMC TVO as well as others in the Boston/Cambridge-area including Tufts University and Boston University.• Initiated outreach to more than 30 small biotech companies, non-profit organizations, and boutique consulting firms, developing leads for expansion into the industrial realm.• Contributed to overall progress by aiding with user-interface design, developing outreach, training and marketing resources, administering SalesForce CRM installation, and educating colleagues on the nuances of the biomedical research world.

Harvard University, Boston, Ma

Assisting the Harvard Catalyst communications manager with outreach, promotional activities, and communications contact management. Also developing a new central database of key communications contacts.

Structural and molecular biologist using both protein X-ray crystallography and solution-state NMR spectroscopy to look at proteins and protein complexes on an atomic resolution scale. Currently working on aspects of human protein translation machinery complex.

Working in the lab of Prof. Gerhard Wagner using both solution-state NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography to look at atomic-resolution protein and protein complex structures. Have expressed, purified, and analyzed on both soluble proteins (programmed cell death 4, PDCD4) and integral membrane proteins (voltage-gated anion channel, VDAC). Presently working on part of the translation initiation factor complex that interacts with mRNA and the ribosome.

Studying various proteins using X-ray crystallography and other biophysical techniques. Determined novel atomin-resolution structures for three proteins related to transcription regulation.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba (Honors), Business Administration And Management, General

(XP-88)

Ph.D., Structural Biology, Medical Biophysics

Activities and Societies: Departmental Website Design MBP Open House Volunteer / Tour Guide

M.Sc., Virology, Medical Biophysics

Activities and Societies: Departmental Website Design MBP Open House Volunteer / Tour Guide

B.Sc., Biochemistry

Activities and Societies: President of Biochemistry Undergraduate Student Society (BUSS) 1995-1996

Secondary School