Chief Patent Counsel, Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC). Purdue Research Foundation’s OTC not only handles transferring Purdue’s innovations out of the lab and into society but is also responsible for ensuring that intellectual property (IP) is properly acquired and protected.  Ken is responsible for strategy and oversight for the IP portfolios generated by our illustrious colleagues in the laboratory, and for the practices, systems and procedures of our IP professionals in OTC.  In conjunction with the Vice President of OTC, Ken supervises any potential conflicts or litigation related to the IP portfolios.  In his role as Chief Patent Counsel, Ken also strives to serve to reach out to the Purdue community and the IP professional community to teach, learn and to promote the efforts of the IP group at OTC.

Ken received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Hanover College, his Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Indiana University, and his law degree from Indiana University McKinney School of Law.  Prior to his role at OTC, Ken was an attorney at Barnes and Thornburg, and was a Senior Patent Counsel at Roche Diagnostics for more than 20 years.  His IP background relates primarily to life sciences inventions, but he has worked on diverse technologies such as DNA sequencing, immunoassay systems and rare reagents, labeling compounds and diagnostic methods.

• What is one invention that you just couldn’t live without? Coffee maker.  I don’t just want coffee; I want it fast!
• Other than safety and fuel efficiency, what is one aspect that you will not compromise on when searching for a new car? Style.  I drove many ugly cars when I was young.  Those days are over!
• Who has been the most influential person in your life? I’m cheating: two people.  My mother and father.  He was a professor and she taught elementary school, which gave me a thirst for knowledge.  Both are/were interesting and funny, which I also strive to be.  Their greatest attribute was kindness and compassion.  If I can emulate those traits I am satisfied that I’ve had a good day.
• If you were selected to be a contestant on a game show that requires you to taste cuisines from around the world and name the cuisine’s native country, how would you prepare for it?  I already have!  I am culinarily (made-up word) curious anyway and have always tried new things.  Except eyeballs.  I’m not eating those.