The inventors and industry leaders that will mark the next sesquicentennial
Virginia Tech’s LINK+LICENSE+LAUNCH is a team of scientists, engineers, business developers, consultants, entrepreneurs, intellectual property attorneys, and technology transfer professionals. Its mission: bring the full complement of skills needed to support strategic alliances, commercialization, and new company formation. Recently, LINK+LICENSE+LAUNCH highlighted a group of College of Science faculty and alumni who are inventors and industry leaders. What does the next 150 years of Virginia Tech Science look like? These are just a few of the faces…
Sofiat Abdulrazaaq
Chief Executive Officer, Goodfynd Inc.
Degrees: psychology B.S., political science B.A. 2009
“I've worked with some of the world's largest banks, nonprofits, and tech companies. My roles have varied from chief of staff to product lead to entrepreneur,” Abdulrazaaq told LINK+LICENSE+LAUNCH. “My role as an entrepreneur has been the most challenging, but also the most rewarding — I love to develop products that make users lives easier and create lasting impact. I live in New York with my ‘pup son’ Cavalli-Veneta, and outside of work, I am passionate about adult literacy and teach classes at the Brooklyn Library.” At Virginia Tech, she said, “I learned how to build relationships, to think critically, to create impact within an ecosystem, and to never play it small.”
"I learned how to build relationships, to think critically, to create impact within an ecosystem, and to never play it small."
—Sofiat Abdulrazaaq
Jason Rolland
Senior vice president, materials, Carbon Inc.
Degree: chemistry B.S. 2001
“I’ve spent my entire career working in early-stage startups and trying to get technologies from the lab bench into products. The work is deeply rewarding, but very stressful at times,” Rolland said. “I love how fast small companies can move and the variety of experiences one can have in a very short period of time. I imagine I'll continue to work with/for small companies throughout my career, but you never know what the future holds. … The work we've done in novel polyurethane elastomers for 3D-printing has been extremely exciting over the past few years. We’ve opened up new applications in footwear (with Adidas) and we are continuing to expand our efforts in protective padding and other applications. The combination of new materials with new lattice-generation software capabilities allows us to create new part geometries with clear performance benefits.”
"Being in academia as a student and faculty member, I've learned how to think clearly to solve problems and work with people from different backgrounds, to keep learning and to listen."
—Archana Sathaye
Archana Sathaye
Founder, chief executive officer, Proxmal Systems Inc.
Degree: mathematics M.S. 1986
“I have had a career spanning industry, academia, and nonprofits. I came to Virginia Tech from India to get a masters in math,” Sathaye said. “I was brought up to always believe in myself to achieve my goals in life and be empathetic towards others. Being in academia as a student and faculty member, I've learned how to think clearly to solve problems and work with people from different backgrounds, to keep learning and to listen. I learned to collaborate and be part of a bigger solution in industry. These experiences of the past have led me to give to the community by helping nonprofits associated with education, and to start a new company whose first product — CareHelper — uses technology to alleviate caregiver stress.”
For more on these Hokie alumni, visit vt.edu/link.