Archives: People

Franklin Bright
Licensing Associate

Email: fbright2@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-1550

Franklin is a seasoned Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property professional with extensive experience in life sciences and biotechnology. In his previous role as a fellow in NIAID’s TTIPO, Franklin specialized in evaluating inventions, managing technology portfolios, and negotiating licensing agreements.

With a career spanning roles in the private and academic sectors at companies such as Vertex Pharmaceuticals, the University of Iowa Research Foundation, and Novobiotic Pharmaceuticals, Franklin brings a wealth of expertise in IP portfolio management, contract negotiation, and new ventures development. His background includes significant contributions to drug discovery, diagnostic technology development, and commercialization strategies.

Franklin holds a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Iowa, where his research focused on novel methods for rapid detection of pathogenic infections. His multifaceted experience in both academia and industry positions him as a valuable asset in bridging scientific innovation with commercial opportunities.

Christina Higgins
Licensing Associate

Email: chiggi@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-3405

As Licensing Associate for the Office of Technology Transfer at George Mason University, Christina manages a portfolio of innovations in engineering, and in environmental, computer, and the social sciences. She facilitates patenting and licensing efforts, and the development of various agreement types that enable university partnerships with industry, academia, and non-profits. She serves as an adjunct professor at George Mason periodically teaching entrepreneurship in engineering.

Christina is a versatile, experienced professional with a blended career featuring significant accomplishments in roles for the federal government, industry, and the U.S. Navy. As a federal government professional, she led the technology transfer program for her agency and held other roles in partnership development and governance systems. In industry she served with leading firms in telecommunications, IT and management consulting. She built her professional foundation as a naval officer serving on active duty and as a member of the Naval Reserve for many years.

Her academic credentials include an MS in National Resource Strategy from The Eisenhower School, National Defense University, an MBA from Georgetown University, and an MA in Management from Webster University. She holds a BS in Economics from the U.S. Naval Academy.

George Letscher
Senior Licensing Associate

Email: gletsche@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-3879

George Letscher is a Senior Licensing Associate in the Office of Technology Transfer at George Mason University. Letscher manages a wide array of computer science and engineering innovations, mainly supporting the Institute for Digital Innovations (IDIA), during the commercialization process. Before arriving at George Mason, Letscher performed a variety of technology commercialization roles at the university and federal lab level. Letscher liaised partnerships with small and large businesses, including guidance with funding sources and intellectual property (IP) evaluation and strategy. In another capacity, Letscher provided IP and technology transfer/transition advice in his consulting company for a variety of IP service firms. Letscher was also a primary patent examiner at the USPTO, patent agent for several Washington, DC, law firms, and a design/project engineer for a marine/naval engineering shipbuilding corporation. Letscher earned a bachelor and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Manhattan College.

David Grossman
Senior Director, Technology Transfer and Industry Collaboration

Email: dgrossma@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-4103

David Grossman is the Senior Director of Technology Transfer and Industry Collaboration at George Mason University, where he oversees efforts to transfer the results of research from the university to industry. He is an accomplished professional with a diverse background that includes experience as an attorney, entrepreneur, educator, and engineer. Additionally, David supervises pro bono patent cases at the Glushko-Samuelson Intellectual Property Law Clinic at the American University Washington College of Law.

David has been a member of several successful start-up companies and non-profit organizations, and has monetized numerous technologies, including several of his own 24-plus patents, some of which were with large multinational companies. Prior to joining George Mason University, David served as Vice President of Intellectual Property at Ofinno LLC, and was also an Adjunct Professor of Law at the George Mason University Anton Scalia Law School. He has served as the President of the National Association of Patent Practitioners and was a Research Editor for “The Journal of the Association of University Technology Managers.” David has also operated a boutique intellectual property law practice.

Earlier in his career, David led the software and avionics development for several rocket and satellite programs, including the X-34 rocket plane, and designed toys for Fisher-Price. David holds a Juris Doctor, magna cum laude, from the American University Washington College of Law, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.

Sangeeta Mandlekar
Intellectual Property Manager

Email: smandlek@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-6635

Sangeeta Mandlekar works as the Intellectual Property Manager at George Mason University’s Office of Technology Transfer (OTT). In her role, she facilitates collaboration between researchers, legal counsel, and industry partners. She also manages OTT’s intellectual property database, licensing compliance, and royalty distributions.  Sangeeta holds a Master’s Degree in Information Systems and has prior experience at Argonne National Lab.

Gloria Garcia
Admin Assistant

Email: ggarcia3@gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-8933

Gloria Garcia comes to the Office of Technology Transfer at George Mason University with extensive experience in administrative support, event coordination, office management, and financial tasks. Gloria has previously held positions at the George Mason Research Foundation, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and the Mason Innovation Exchange (MIX). Before joining George Mason University, Gloria was a member of the Classified Staff Association at El Paso Community College and served as a Legal Secretary at Amigo Bail Bond Company, where she worked closely with the El Paso District Attorney.