The Transfer Files: Inside the World of Federal Innovation

Deana Jones: Advancing Agricultural Innovation Through Technology Transfer

Agricultural research depends on strong partnerships, practical solutions, and technology transfer strategies that connect federal science with the producers and industries it serves. Dr. Deana Jones brings that perspective to her work as Director of the USDA Agricultural Research Service’s U.S. National Poultry Research Center, where she leads a broad portfolio spanning poultry food safety, product quality, feed safety, avian viral diseases, and related agricultural research. In this episode we discuss how technology transfer shows up in agricultural research, where collaboration often depends on trust, long-term relationships, and well-structured agreements. She shares how her team works with industry, universities, and other partners to move promising ideas forward while protecting the research, the collaborators, and the path to real-world use. We also talk about building technology transfer into the culture of a research center from the beginning, not as an afterthought. From encouraging scientists to involve OTT early to highlighting a newly approved in-shell peanut moisture meter, she offers a candid look at leadership, partnership, and the work it takes to turn federal research into practical agricultural solutions. In This Episode: [03:04] Dr. Deana Jones shares how growing up around agriculture, poultry farming, and 4-H shaped her path into science [04:02] Leading the U.S. National Poultry Research Center and championing research that delivers practical solutions [06:18] The center’s broad research portfolio, from poultry food safety and feed safety to avian viral diseases [07:42] How technology transfer works in agricultural research through agreements, partnerships, and real-world testing [09:07] The surprising scope of poultry science and the many disciplines involved in supporting the industry [12:21] Why trust, respect, and long-term relationships are essential when working with producers and industry partners [15:46] Becoming the person stakeholders think of when they have a problem, even when the answer is outside your own lab [17:13] Building a culture where scientists think about technology transfer early, not after the research is complete [19:32] Bringing OTT into research planning, equipment decisions, and partnership timelines from the beginning [21:48] A newly approved in-shell peanut moisture meter that gives farmers faster results and supports better grading decisions [25:37] Moving the peanut moisture technology from early field testing to licensing, collaboration, and USDA approval [29:58] What FLC’s Laboratory Director of the Year recognition means to Deana and the team behind the work [31:44] Emerging opportunities in poultry research, including artificial intelligence, diagnostics, and avian disease mitigation [34:07] How federal labs can shorten the path from discovery to practical solutions through stronger partnerships [35:29] Advice for early-career technology transfer professionals on showing up, learning the science, and building trust [38:42] Why agricultural innovation depends on broad, collaborative teams that look at the whole problem [40:11] Making the most of long-term agricultural research projects by gathering as much useful information as possible [42:07] Closing thoughts on Deana’s work, the FLC Learning Center, and resources for listeners Resources:  Federal Labs Consortium [https://federallabs.org/] Federal Labs Consortium - Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/federallabs] Dr. Deana Jones: Advancing Feed Safety [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apD4Cuhi3So] USDA Agricultural Research Service [https://www.ars.usda.gov/] Dr. Deana Jones - LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deana-jones-a9a51074/]

Launching Innovation for Impact: A New Forum for National Security Tech Transfer

Technology transfer is already challenging, but it gets even more complicated when national security is involved. Federal labs are trying to move important research and capabilities out into the world, while also protecting sensitive information, managing risk, and making sure the wrong details do not end up in the wrong hands. That is the thinking behind Innovation for Impact: A National Security Technology Transfer Forum, a new FLC event taking place December 1 through 3, 2026, in Leesburg, Virginia. I am joined by FLC Vice Chair David Lee and FLC Promote Committee Chair Annie Bullock Yoder to talk about why this forum was created, who it is meant to serve, and what attendees can expect from the federal-only training tracks and Industry Engagement Day. This conversation looks at the larger moment facing the federal innovation community right now. There is a real need for speed, collaboration, and practical training, but there is also a need to protect the research, resources, and partnerships that matter most. David and Annie share how this new forum is being shaped around those realities and why bringing the right people into the same room could make a meaningful difference. In This Episode: [02:43] Annie Bullock Yoder explains how the idea for Innovation for Impact grew out of the FLC’s post-COVID shift away from regional in-person training events. [03:28] National security has become a critical focus for federal technology transfer, especially as labs balance accelerating innovation with protecting sensitive resources and data. [04:35] David Lee describes the forum as a way to bring together practical in-person training and stronger engagement with industry partners. [05:26] The event is designed to give tech transfer professionals and supporting attorneys focused training, then connect that critical mass of federal lab expertise with industry. [06:57] The event will take place December 1 through 3 at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Virginia. [07:27] The first two days will focus on federal-only legal and tech transfer training tracks, while the third day will serve as an Industry Engagement Day. [08:12] Potential partners include academia, defense contractors, companies interested in entering the defense space, and state or local agencies working in homeland security. [09:19] Possible training topics include handling classified material in CRADAs, working with security offices on DD 254s, and managing university partnerships with foreign collaborators. [10:52] Success will be measured partly through feedback, but also through the longer-term relationships, agreements, and technology outcomes that may follow the event. [12:09] Strong attendance would be an early sign of success and would show whether there is real demand for this kind of focused FLC-led event. [13:16] Survey responses and return attendance would help the FLC understand whether the training and partnering opportunities provided meaningful value. [14:19] If the model works, similar forums could eventually be adapted for other federal lab focus areas such as biotech, pharma, energy, environment, infrastructure, or agriculture. [15:30] Practical reasons to attend include training, knowledge-sharing, networking, and the chance to make industry partners more familiar with federal lab capabilities. [16:51] The planning timeline includes the June 15 topic submission deadline and the goal of opening registration before the end of August. Resources:  Federal Labs Consortium [https://federallabs.org/] Federal Labs Consortium - Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/federallabs] Innovation for Impact: A National Security Technology Transfer Forum [https://federallabs.org/events/a-national-security-technology-transfer-forum] FLC Vice Chair David Lee [https://federallabs.org/about/who-we-are/executive-board] FLC Promote Committee Chair Annie Bullock Yoder [https://federallabs.org/learning-center/pro/committee-members]

Angela Lewis: What It Takes to Lead a High-Impact Federal Lab

Federal laboratories play a critical role in moving ideas from research into real-world use, but that work depends on more than technical expertise. It takes leadership, strong partnerships, and a clear understanding of how innovation supports the mission. At Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, that mission is centered on delivering capability to the warfighter, and technology transfer has become an important part of how that work gets done. Dr. Angela Lewis, Technical Director at NSWC Crane and the 2025 FLC Lab Director of the Year, brings more than three decades of experience across operations, strategy, and leadership. She has helped shape how one of the Navy’s most mission-critical labs approaches innovation, builds external partnerships, and connects research with outcomes that support national security. She was also featured in last year’s Lab Directors Forum at the FLC National Meeting, where she shared perspective on leading in complex environments and using technology transfer as a strategic tool. This conversation follows Dr. Lewis’ career journey, including how her understanding of technology transfer evolved and why culture matters so much when building a strong innovation ecosystem. She also shares practical lessons for other federal labs, from engaging leadership to creating the structures, incentives, and partnerships that help technology transfer move from good ideas to measurable mission impact. In This Episode: [02:16] Dr. Angela Lewis shares how she first came to Crane as a high school intern, knowing very little about the organization but recognizing it as a place that offered strong career opportunities in her community. [03:10] Her career path at Crane has included continuing education, leadership development, and opportunities to grow while staying connected to the daily mission of supporting warfighters. [06:09] Technology transfer helps Crane build the right team for each phase of a project, from academic research to small business prototyping to large defense partners capable of fielding solutions at scale. [07:07] Dr. Lewis explains that her view of technology transfer changed while serving as chief of staff and hearing Crane’s T2 director explain the range of mechanisms available for working with outside partners. [09:14] Because Crane operates much like a zero-profit business, the organization has to deliver on cost, quality, and schedule in order to maintain demand from program offices. [12:01] Dr. Lewis frames technology transfer as part of being a good steward of taxpayer-funded intellectual property and making sure federally developed ideas have a path to broader impact. [15:17] Crane’s innovation ecosystem includes research and education partnerships across 39 states, 60 universities, and more than 168 industry partners. [16:03] Dr. Lewis says technology transfer could not remain the responsibility of one office if Crane wanted it to become part of the organization’s DNA. [18:50] Building a true innovation ecosystem requires more than a list of contacts; Dr. Lewis describes it as an active process of seeking out the right partners and maintaining meaningful engagement. [20:10] Crane deepens outside relationships through efforts like the Distinguished Lecture Series, temporary faculty programs, and collaborative joint research projects. [21:03] The Indiana Research Consortium shows how shared vision and active collaboration can make a multi-party CRADA work at scale. [22:37] The consortium’s turning point came in 2024, when Purdue University, Indiana University, and Notre Dame signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a formal structure around shared defense technology priorities. [24:53] By its third event in 2024, Silent Swarm had grown from 17 participating technologies to more than 50, creating a larger venue for industry, academia, and government labs to collaborate. [26:34] Silent Swarm brings together realistic environments, platforms, data collection, government subject matter experts, and operators who can evaluate technologies in a warfighting context. [27:35] Dr. Lewis says metrics matter, but the real measure of technology transfer success is whether partnerships are aligned with the Navy’s most pressing mission needs. [29:26] Strong technology transfer culture depends on leadership behavior, especially making T2 visible, measured, and clearly tied to the organization’s priorities. [30:05] During annual strategic alignment discussions, Crane’s leadership team reviews technology transfer and partnership activities alongside budgets, workload, and project planning. [32:09] For technology transfer professionals, Dr. Lewis’ practical advice is to use the Federal Laboratory Consortium network and learn from peers rather than trying to build programs alone. Resources:  The Transfer Files - Federal Labs Consortium [https://federallabs.org/flc-highlights/podcast/the-tech-transfer-files] FLC Learning Center [https://federallabs.org/learning-center/flc-learning-center] Dr. Angela Lewis - Federal Labs Consortium [https://federallabs.org/flc-highlights/awards/angela-lewis] Dr. Angela Lewis - Naval Sea Systems Command [https://www.navsea.navy.mil/Media/Biographies/Article/2261193/dr-angela-d-lewis-ses/] NSWC Crane Announces Its First Female Technical Director [https://federallabs.org/flc-highlights/federal-lab-news/nswc-crane-announces-its-first-female-technical-director] Dr. Angela Lewis - LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-lewis-8b2bbb13/]

Andy Myers: Why PRO™ Matters for Federal Tech Transfer Professionals

Turning research into something people can actually use sounds straightforward, but in the federal world, it’s anything but. It takes people who can move between science, business, and policy, people who know how to translate complex ideas, build the right partnerships, and guide innovations out of the lab and into the real world. That “in-between space” is where a lot of the real work happens, and it’s where this conversation begins. My guest today is Andy Myers, who leads technology transfer activities at the Kansas City National Security Campus. His career spans small business research, academia, and nearly a decade in federal tech transfer, and it all traces back to a simple but important skill of learning how to explain science to people who aren’t scientists. We talk about how that ability shaped his path, what his day-to-day work actually looks like, and how his role within a Department of Energy national security environment brings a different perspective, especially with its focus on manufacturing and moving technologies closer to real-world use. We also dig into something new that’s taking shape across the field. The Federal Laboratory Consortium is rolling out a verification for Professional Registered ORTAs, or PROs, and Andy walks through what it is and why it matters. In a space where most professionals don’t follow a traditional path, the goal is to create more consistency with shared standards, clearer expectations, and a sense of progression that helps both individuals and the broader tech transfer community move forward with a little more direction. In This Episode: [02:21] Andy shares how his career began in chemistry and gradually shifted toward communication and tech transfer [03:08] The importance of explaining science to non-scientists and operating in that “in-between” space [03:47] What technology transfer really involves, from commercialization to legal and business considerations [04:33] Moving from small business research into academia and eventually federal tech transfer [05:18] A look at Andy’s role leading tech transfer at the Kansas City National Security Campus [06:12] How DOE labs operate under a government-owned, contractor-operated model [06:58] The unique national security mission tied to the campus and its broader ecosystem [07:34] Why the campus focuses more on production and manufacturing than pure research [08:13] How their work brings technologies closer to real-world commercial applications [08:49] Examples of tech transfer areas including additive manufacturing, electronics, and cybersecurity [10:07] The challenge of entering a field with no clear or traditional career path [11:12] Why shared standards and a common language matter across federal tech transfer [12:27] Introducing the PRO designation and how it fits into the broader professional landscape [13:43] How PRO compares to other certifications and why the federal space needs its own [14:58] What PRO (Professional Registered ORTA) actually represents for practitioners [16:06] The balance between experience, training, and community involvement in earning the designation [17:14] Why PRO is designed to be meaningful but not overly burdensome to achieve [18:08] How the designation builds trust with partners and external stakeholders [19:13] Walking through the application process and key requirements [20:07] Timeline expectations and how applications will be reviewed [21:02] Why ongoing learning and participation in the community are part of the criteria [21:47] How PRO could have accelerated Andy’s own professional development [22:33] The value of having a clearer roadmap instead of learning through trial and error [23:12] Advice for experienced professionals considering applying for PRO [24:02] The shift from learner to mentor and how PRO supports that transition [25:08] The growing importance of federal tech transfer in national competitiveness [26:04] Real-world examples of tech transfer success, from airport scanners to everyday tech [27:02] Reflecting on the broader impact of federal innovation and why the work matters Resources:  The Transfer Files: Inside the World of Federal Innovation [https://federallabs.org/flc-highlights/podcast/the-tech-transfer-files] Andy Myers - FLC [https://federallabs.org/flc-highlights/federal-lab-news/meet-your-board-andy-myers] Andrew Myers - LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewmyers7/] Kansas City National Security Campus [https://kcnsc.doe.gov/] PRO (Professional Registered ORTAs) [https://federallabs.org/learning-center/pro]

Ernesto Chanona: What Tech Transfer Can Learn from Business Development

Strong science doesn't automatically lead to commercial success. There's a gap between breakthrough research and real-world impact that trips up even the most promising technologies. Business development or the art of building relationships, positioning innovations, and navigating markets is where many tech transfer offices find themselves stretched thin or stuck. My guest Ernesto Chanona the CEO of American Business Development knows both sides of this world. He earned his PhD in pharmacology and did postdoctoral work at the National Cancer Institute developing immunotherapies. But instead of continuing down the traditional academic track, he made a sharp turn into business development at Maryland's Department of Commerce, helping life science companies expand internationally. Years later, he founded American Business Development to work with tech transfer offices, startups, and foreign companies trying to break into the U.S. market. In this conversation, he walks through what business development actually looks like in life sciences including equal parts sales, technical expertise, and strategic consulting. We talk about the bandwidth crunch hitting tech transfer offices, building frameworks that scale, and why he insists the best marketed technology usually wins over the best science. He shares hard-won lessons about pitching investors, navigating the fragmented U.S. healthcare system, and why his best advice is deceptively simple: ask for help. People in this field genuinely want technologies to succeed, and trying to figure it all out alone is where most innovators get stuck. In This Episode: [02:08] Ernesto's unconventional path from pharmacology PhD to business development. [06:58] Defining what a business developer does in life sciences—more than just sales. [07:49] The three pillars: salesperson, subject matter expert, and consultant. [11:20] Why business developers hold critical relationships that can't easily be replaced. [13:45] The underappreciated role of federal labs in the innovation ecosystem. [17:04] Where tech transfer offices struggle most with business development. [19:00] Bandwidth challenges and why being short-staffed creates the biggest gaps. [20:00] First steps when evaluating whether a technology needs partners or better positioning. [21:13] Building scalable BD frameworks—internal operations and external consistency. [22:53] What separates commercially ready technologies from those needing development. [23:44] The role of luck and market validation in commercial readiness. [24:46] Deploying demo units to universities for voice-of-customer feedback. [26:03] Balancing high-risk innovations with near-market technologies. [28:20] The biggest mistakes organizations make when pitching to investors. [28:51] Why the size of your ask matters more than you think. [30:12] The importance of detailed, well-researched outbound messaging. [33:08] ABD Capital Connect event during J.P. Morgan Healthcare Week. [35:02] International expansion challenges and competition from China. [36:28] Why the fragmented U.S. healthcare system confuses foreign companies. [38:18] The problem with one-person in-country hires versus team-based approaches. [39:40] Why the best marketed technology wins, not just the best science. [42:01] Final advice: It takes a village, so leverage your network and ask for help. [43:06] How willing people are to help when you're motivated to bring something to market. Resources:  The Transfer Files Podcast - FLC [https://federallabs.org/flc-highlights/podcast/the-tech-transfer-files] American Business Development [https://americanbizdev.com/] ernesto@americanbizdev.com [ernesto@americanbizdev.com] Ernesto Chanona - LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ernestochanona/] Ernesto Chanona - Johns Hopkins [https://advanced.jhu.edu/directory/ernesto-chanona/] ABD Capital Connect [https://americanbizdev.com/abd-capital-connect/]