Meet Our Team
Valerie Landrio McDevitt
Associate Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation
Valerie joined FSU in December 2023 as associate vice president of strategic partnerships and innovation to boost the commercial development of the university’s innovation, with a particular focus on the technology transfer process and business engagement. She previously served as executive director with the AdventHealth Research Institute in Orlando as well as Associate VP for new venture development at University of South Florida, where she spent over 18 years supporting research and technology commercialization including incubation, strategic planning, startup funding, technology transfer, economic development, external engagement, and related grants and contracts.
McDevitt received her master’s degree from the University of Florida in analytical chemistry and her law degree from Emory University. She is a member of both the Florida and Patent Bars.
Brent Edington, Ph.D.
Senior Licensing Advisor
Student Services Building, Suite 379
(850) 645-5753
|
bedington@fsu.edu
Brent has a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in Molecular Genetics and postdoctoral research experience in plant genetics and gene expression at the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation. He also earned an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado Denver.
Brent joined Florida State University Commercialization in September 2013. His principle responsibilities involve management of FSU Commercialization which is responsible for the commercialization of Intellectual Property developed at Florida State University. He was a Licensing Manager and Associate Director at the University of Utah Technology Commercialization Office and the Director of Patents and Licensing at Old Dominion University before coming to Florida State University. His experience includes six startup companies, four of which he was a founder. Brent has held various positions of responsibility in startup companies including the positions of Research Group Leader, Director, COO, and CFO.
Licensing Managers
Michael Tentnowski
Senior Licensing Manager
Student Services Building, Suite 379
(850) 645-2143
|
mtentnowski@fsu.edu
Michael manages intellectual property emanating from the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Applied Superconductivity Center, Center for Advanced Power Systems, High Performance Materials Institute and Career Services. Prior to joining FSU, Michael directed several technology incubators and has experience commercializing defense technologies with federal agencies and national laboratories. His university work includes the Physical Science Institute at New Mexico State and with the Office of Intellectual Property Optimization at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Michael has extensive experience with the Small Business Innovation Research and Small business Technology Transfer Research (SBIR/STTR) program and has assisted numerous small businesses with Phase I / Phase II grants submissions. He has also completed several Train the Trainer courses including: Helping Potential SBIR/STTR Applicants and Fraud, Waste and Abuse Prevention.
Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS)
Office of Research #364: Tuesdays or by appointment.
High Performance Materials Institute (HPMI)
Office MRB #247: Wednesdays or by appointment.
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL)
Main Lobby: Thursdays or by appointment.
