The IU Innovation and Commercialization welcomes three new hires to the team

The IU Innovation and Commercialization Office, which protects, markets and licenses intellectual property developed at IU so it can be commercialized by industry, has expanded its team to better support IU researchers.

“Expanding our team is a reflection of our commitment to empowering IU researchers and ensuring their innovations make a tangible impact,” said Nick Hammond , associate vice president for innovation and commercialization. “These new team members bring valuable expertise and fresh perspectives to our mission of connecting university discoveries with industry opportunities, ultimately driving innovations that have a positive impact on society.”

Meet the new hires:

Phil Dowd has joined as a director of operations, licensing and agreements. In this key leadership role, Dowd will oversee critical functions aimed at protecting, marketing, and licensing intellectual property developed at IU to facilitate its commercialization by industry partners. As Director, Dowd will manage daily operations related to patenting, licensing, agreements, and compliance, ensuring seamless processes that support faculty innovation and research commercialization. This appointment underscores IU’s commitment to empowering faculty researchers and advancing transformational science, ensuring that innovative discoveries can have a meaningful impact beyond the university.

“I’m delighted to be part of Indiana University’s Innovation and Commercialization Office. IU has an outstanding research reputation and a bold vision to pursue innovative and transformative research,” Dowd said. “I look forward to supporting that vision, helping to accelerate innovations stemming from IU’s research into the marketplace where they can create lasting social and economic impact, as well as promoting economic growth in Indiana through licensing and start-up company formation.”

In his previous role, Dowd was the Director of Innovation and Research Administration at the American Dental Association Science & Research Institute, overseeing patenting, licensing and industry sponsored research.

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John R. Gebhard has joined as the director of technology development. In this vital role, Gebhard will lead efforts to engage faculty in technology development, patenting, and research commercialization strategies, further strengthening IU’s mission to translate groundbreaking discoveries into real-world solutions.? Gebhard will oversee day-to-day activities aimed at supporting faculty innovators through streamlined processes that facilitate the development and commercialization of their ideas.? In addition to managing technology development initiatives, Gebhard will collaborate with university stakeholders to support entrepreneurship and innovation planning. His role will include the development of educational programs for faculty, research scientists, and graduate students, aimed at enhancing their understanding of technology commercialization processes. Indiana University is excited to have John Gebhard join the ICO team, bringing his expertise to further empower faculty and researchers in driving impactful innovation.

“With over 12 years of experience in academic commercialization, I understand the critical role of a passionate, collaborative team that enjoys their work,” Gebhard said. “ICO made it clear that these values are deeply embedded in the organization, which inspired my enthusiasm to join, along with IU's strong commitment to innovation and commercialization.”

In his previous role, Gebhard was the assistant vice president of technology commercialization at UT Health San Antonio.

Erik Robinson has joined as a manager of technology development in therapeutics and devices. Robinson will manage a portfolio of therapeutic and medical devices technologies disclosed by IU faculty. He will work closely with IU inventors to disclose new inventions, provide feedback to inventors on gaps required for commercial interest or viable patenting, and provide domain expertise in specific areas.

“I have spent the last decade of my career in start-up companies focused on bringing medical devices and pharmaceutical services to market,” Robinson said. “Being a part of the ICO team is exciting because you get to see early-stage technologies and innovations that could have a significant impact in many different areas.”

Following his graduate degree, Robinson attempted to commercialize his PhD Thesis as a medical device, which he was able to bring to a regulatory filing. Robinson spent the last few years directing Business Development at a pharmaceutical company that provided structural biology services.