Email: tl883@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-3795
In February 2023, Dr. Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak assumed the role of Vice President for the Office of Technology Commercialization at Georgetown University, where she spearheads technology transfer initiatives to foster innovation and faculty entrepreneurship. With more than 18 years of expertise in intellectual property protection, business development, and licensing, she previously held the position of Associate Vice President of Innovation Ventures at Rutgers University. During her tenure at Rutgers, Tatiana achieved remarkable milestones, including overhauling patent policies, establishing a highly successful fellowship program, and making pivotal contributions to the launch of the TechAdvance funding initiative. Tatiana holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and is a duly Registered Patent Agent. She actively engages in professional organizations, frequently delivering intellectual property and technology licensing talks. Beyond her illustrious career, Tatiana is an avid sailor who ardently supports sailing endeavors within her family at their local club.
Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak, Ph.D.
Vice President
Zeinab Abouissa, M.S.
Assistant Director, Licensing
Email: zaa9@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-2702
Zeinab Abouissa is dedicated to helping advance innovations by navigating the complex realm of technology transfer. She is currently an Assistant Director of Licensing at the Georgetown University Office of Technology Commercialization, where she manages a portfolio of technologies, including computer science, chemistry, physics, medical device, and life science innovations. She is responsible for all phases of invention management, corporate engagement, and licensing of intellectual property to industry partners. Before joining Georgetown, Zeinab held various technology transfer roles at Washington State University, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Her background is in biotechnology, and she is a patent agent registered to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Silvana Alcocer, CP
Intellectual Property Manager
Email: alcocers@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-0843
Silvana joined the University in September 1998. She manages the University’s intellectual property portfolio. Silvana is a liaison between licensing managers, attorneys, inventors, and other University offices. She undertakes reporting on federally funded inventions and patents through iEdison, NIST for the University. Silvana received her undergraduate degree in Biology and a Paralegal Certificate from the University of Maryland with a minor in Liberal Arts. Silvana is a District of Columbia Public Notary.
Tracy Bruehs, J.D., M.S.
Director, Licensing & Contracts
Email: tlb23@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-7629
Tracy serves as the Director for Licensing & Contracts in Georgetown University’s Office of Technology Commercialization and has worked in OTC since 2002. Tracy’s focus involves handling and negotiating of a wide variety of intellectual property-related agreements as well as the management of a small patent portfolio. Prior to coming to Georgetown, Tracy worked as an Associate Attorney for Nixon Peabody’s Business Department, and prior to that, as an Associate Attorney in the Syracuse Litigation Department of Hiscock and Barclay LLP. Tracy graduated cum laud from Albany Law School of Union University in 1998, earning her J.D. with concentrations in Environmental Law and Government Regulation, as well as a Master of Science in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Toxicology from the University of Rochester after completing her Bachelor of Science from The State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Tracy is admitted and licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia and the District Courts for the Western and Northern Districts of New York.
Robert Koenig, Ph.D.
Senior Licensing Manager
Email: rk1238@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-3721
Dr. Robert Koenig joined the Georgetown University Office of Technology Commercialization in October of 2023. He brings extensive knowledge of technology transfer and collaboration potential with the federal government. Prior to joining the Georgetown family, he was a Technology Transfer Associate at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., in support of innovations arising from the Department of Defense medical school, the Uniformed Services University where he managed the innovation review group, a panel of faculty and leadership that provided advice on arising intellectual property. Robert holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Biophysics from Texas A&M University and an undergraduate degree in the same from the University of Houston. When not in the office, he can be found in a local Aikido dojo, continuing his 15 years of practicing martial arts.
Christon Hill, M.S.
Program Manager for Georgetown Tech Ventures (GTV)
Email: ch1447@georgetown.edu
Christon Hill is a graduate of Georgetown University’s Biotechnology Master’s program (Individualized track), with a concentration in Biobusiness and Cell and Gene Therapy. A nominee for the prestigious Spirit of Georgetown Award, Christon brings a unique interdisciplinary background, having studied English and Religion at Florida State University and Biology at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
As an undergraduate, his biology research focused on modulating the protein yield of grain plants, aiming to combat chronic underfeeding syndrome in developing nations—a testament to his commitment to addressing global challenges through science. His graduate research further expanded this impact by exploring the transformative role of off-the-shelf LLMs in university technology commercialization, demonstrating his ability to drive innovation at the intersection of science, technology, and entrepreneurship.
A U.S. military veteran and trained EMT, Christon applies his leadership and problem-solving skills as the Program Manager for Georgetown Tech Ventures, an initiative within the Office of Technology Commercialization. In this role, he leads efforts to empower technology-based startups, driving economic growth and fostering innovation across the DMV region.
Rohan Joy Mathew, MBA, M.S.
Program Specialist
Email: rj589@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 784-5415
Rohan Joy Mathew Joined Georgetown university’s Office of technology commercialization in January. He joined the Office as a program specialist—a passionate operations and management specialist interested in technology commercialization and entrepreneurship. Before joining the Office, he worked as a technology research fellow at George Washington University’s Technology commercialization office. His passion for entrepreneurship helped him start three companies and assist other entrepreneurs in converting ideas into viable businesses. Rohan holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering concentrating in sustainability and solar energy from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and a STEM MBA from George Washington University.
Ermina Mujan, M.S.
Agreement Compliance and Database Manager
Email: em1369@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-0881
Ermina joined the University in July 2018. She currently serves as the Agreement Compliance and Database Manager for the Office of Technology Commercialization. Before joining the University, Ermina worked as an Expert Associate for Technical Documentation of Telecommunication Infrastructure for the city of Sarajevo. She received her Master’s in Communication Technology Engineering from the University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. In June 2021, she obtained her Professional Certificate in Data Science from the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University.
Sharon Pula, J.D., M.S.
Associate Senior Director, Licensing and Intellectual Property
Email: sep39@georgetown.edu
Phone: (202) 687-8712
As Associate Senior Director, Licensing and Intellectual Property, Sharon assesses the patentability and commercial potential of new inventions, prepares and prosecutes patent applications, facilitates new company formation, drafts and negotiates research related contracts and license agreements, manages intellectual property assets owned by the University and provides counsel to the Office of Technology Commercialization and other University offices on intellectual property and contract matters. Sharon is a registered patent attorney and received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Master of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Prior to joining the University in 2008, Sharon worked in private practice in a large law firm and specialized in intellectual property law.
Contact Us
Whether you’re a part of the Georgetown University community, represent a company interested in supporting research, licensing available inventions, or are an investor, please feel free to contact us with your questions. You can contact us at techlicensing@georgetown.edu or call us at 202-687-7424.
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time.