Pitt innovators who can potentially benefit from an industry partnership for sponsored research and more have a tremendous resource available in the Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships. Today we meet Mike Flock, director of industry partnerships at OIEP, for insight into his role in bridging the divide between industry and academia.
Tell us a little about your background and experience.
After obtaining my PhD in Nutritional Sciences, I started as a research scientist with DuPont Nutrition & Health in St. Louis where I coordinated clinical studies with different universities. This experience provided me with valuable insights into the business side of health research.
Eventually, I moved to Pittsburgh to manage innovation and clinical studies at the General Nutrition Center (GNC). In 2017, I came to Pitt where I managed translational research programs at the Clinical & Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI). Here I first came into contact with the Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (OIE) as many of the faculty I worked with were developing novel programs, devices, or discoveries and needed to file an invention disclosure with the Innovation Institute (part of the OIE).
In 2022, I joined OIE’s Office of Industry & Economic Partnerships in a role that brings together my experiences and interests quite well.
What is a typical workday like for you? What are some of your day-to-day activities?
My role involves facilitating collaborations between industry partners and Pitt faculty to drive translational research and technology commercialization. I spend much of my time connecting with life science companies to understand their interests, identifying collaborators, and securing partnerships that generate funding and advance research and commercial translation of innovations developed at Pitt. This involves the promotion of Pitt faculty, research, and technologies, and attending events to network and showcase Pitt’s capabilities.
I facilitate project-scoping discussions between companies and faculty, helping define the scope of work and budget. For licensing and research agreements, I work closely with my colleagues in the Innovation Institute and Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) to streamline negotiations and ensure smooth execution. Additionally, I’m frequently meeting and communicating with partners as well as faculty and staff to support ongoing projects and explore future opportunities. Ultimately, my role is about building mutually beneficial relationships, driving innovation, and advancing research in healthcare.
How do you work with colleagues across the University?
Collaboration is key to my role. A constant challenge is making connections across the silos of an institution of our size and scope. In addition to working with faculty, I’m often coordinating with department and school administrators on the proposal submission and review process, as well as the Health Sciences research administration office and OSP teams to review and execute agreements. Collaboration with leadership at different schools is critical to ensure our efforts are aligned with their goals and capabilities. I regularly reach out to department chairs with partnership opportunities and engage with leaders across campus to ensure we are plugged into relevant initiatives.
Can you give an example of successful industry engagement?
I’ve been fortunate to support Dr. Kathleen McTigue and her team in collaborating with some of the largest pharma companies in the world. These collaborative projects often involve many folks across the institution and have led to novel insights into various health conditions, such as obesity, liver disease, and infectious disease, all of which have helped advance healthcare.
The most rewarding part of my job is bridging the academic and industry worlds to tackle a health challenge or issue together, especially for faculty who’ve never collaborated with industry. Facilitating their first collaboration is exciting and I have had this experience with faculty representing the departments of Medicine, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, and Psychiatry. There are no doubt cultural differences and priorities to work through between industry and academia, but as these hurdles are overcome, the ultimate reward is seeing research leave the lab, enter the clinic, and change lives for the better.
When should a Pitt faculty with an interest in collaborating with industry consider reaching out to you?
If you are a faculty member who is approached by a company or makes a connection at a conference and unclear about how to approach the opportunity -- reach out. We can work with you to assess the opportunity and develop an action plan. We can meet with the company to vet the opportunity and structure a partnership that aligns with your research goals. Contacting us early can save time and effort, as we often help resolve issues that could be addressed earlier.
If you’re a faculty member seeking out industry funding opportunities but don’t have a connection or know where to start – reach out. We can offer guidance on identifying potential partners and funding opportunities.
Curious about industry partnering? Start a conversation with Mike Flock or another Pitt partnerships professional at partner@pitt.edu.