Hough Named Assistant Director of UA’s Technology Transfer Office

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dr. Whitney L. Hough, a venture development associate in The University of Alabama’s Office for Technology Transfer, has been named the office’s assistant director.

Hough’s promotion resulted from her “relentless efforts” in commercializing intellectual property created at UA, educating industry members about the research capabilities of UA and for coordinating engineering and business student efforts to evaluate newly created intellectual property, according to Dr. Richard P. Swatloski, director of the Office for Technology Transfer, known as OTT.

“Since joining OTT, Dr. Hough has created and launched several new initiatives to increase faculty interaction and service,” Swatloski said. “Her performance has been outstanding, and she has rapidly gained the trust, respect and confidence of inventors.

“I am convinced that Dr. Hough’s energy and fresh ideas will play a key role in helping the Office for Technology Transfer provide a positive impact on commercialization efforts and promote various economic development activities.”

Hough received her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in chemistry from The University of Alabama. After completing her doctorate, Hough earned an MBA from UA’s Manderson Graduate School of Business.

Since Hough has been at OTT, she has developed and launched three successful student programs to assist with the evaluation of new intellectual property and the commercialization process.

Additionally, she has mentored several teams that have placed in the finals of the statewide business plan competition, Alabama Launchpad—and even won the competition herself.

UA’s Office for Technology Transfer, within the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, works to protect and commercialize intellectual property generated by UA faculty, staff and students.

For more information on Hough or the office, visit www.ott.ua.edu.