Clay to lead Office of Technology Management at MSU

Contact: Jim Laird

Jeremy Clay (Photo by Russ Houston)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A Mississippi State alumnus is now leading the land-grant institution’s efforts to work with faculty and staff to move inventions, new products and processes developed at the university into the marketplace.

In early July, Jeremy Clay was named director of MSU’s Office of Technology Management — the campus unit charged with efficiently capturing, protecting, managing and accelerating the commercialization of university-owned and -generated intellectual property.

“Jeremy has a thorough understanding of the complex issues associated with successful IP management. We believe that he and the OTM team are ready to broaden our commercialization and technology transfer initiatives and pursue new opportunities,” said Kathy Gelston, MSU’s associate vice president for corporate engagement and economic development.

A graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law and member of the Mississippi Bar, Clay has extensive experience in patent law and is admitted to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and all federal and state courts of Mississippi. Additionally, he has owned a small business and worked for the Army Corps of Engineers, among other career highlights.

In 2015, he joined OTM as a licensing associate. Most recently, he served as interim director of the office during a leadership transition.

“It’s a great privilege to work with Mississippi State’s world-class researchers, and all of us in OTM understand the essential role IP and tech transfer play in the university’s overall research portfolio,” he said.

Clay graduated magna cum laude from Mississippi State in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife science. As a student, he was president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, a member of Xi Sigma Pi Natural Resources Honor Society, and served as secretary of the College of Forest Resources Student Council.

The National Science Foundation ranks Mississippi State among the nation’s top 100 research institutions. As Mississippi’s leading research university, MSU’s research expenditures totaled $226.4 million in FY2015, accounting for more than half of the total $408.2 million in research and development expenditures reported by all Mississippi institutions. The university is a recognized leader in a number of disciplines, and well known for innovative partnerships, real-world impact and offering undergraduate and graduate students unique research opportunities.

Learn more about the Office of Technology Management at www.otm.msstate.edu.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.

Tuesday, August 1, 2017 - 2:17 pm