New 1 credit courses for Summer 25

Summer 25 RTA Courses

Frameworks for Assessing Market Potential of Research (TE 497-020/021)

Deepen your experience with structured frameworks to evaluate and strategically advance high impact research opportunities. Students will create an opportunity assessment roadmap, applying tools such as market validation, competitive analysis, SWOT, Porter’s five forces and PESTLE to guide decision-making throughout the research translation process. Whether pursuing venture creation, technology licensing, or public dissemination, you will develop a practical roadmap to move innovations from the lab to the market. Emphasis on professional skills of: communication, project management, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and networking, resilience and adaptability.

Hybrid (In-person or Remote Synchronous)
Five sessions in June:
Mon, June 9: 11am-2pm
Thur, June 12:11am-2pm
Mon, June 16: 11am-2pm
Thur, June 19: 11am-2pm
Mon, June 23: 11am-2pm
(Note: when registering 10am-1:35pm will show; actual meeting times are above)

Faculty: Dr. Willy Das, Ph.D. is a lead researcher and entrepreneurship instructor at Lehigh@NasdaqCenter. She holds a Ph.D. in Business Policy and Strategy and an undergraduate degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. With a background in management and engineering she bridges theory and practice, making entrepreneurship research impactful through real-world applications. Her work is featured in Harvard Business Review, FastCompany, and Startup Magazine UK. Beyond academia, she mentors entrepreneurs globally and collaborates with U.S. congressional offices on evidence-informed policymaking.

Leading and Managing Teams in Research Translation (TE 497-022/023)

Successful research translation isn’t just about the product—it’s also about the team behind it. In this  course you will explore the psychology, strategy, and structure of commercialization teams, providing insights into leadership, decision-making, and team dynamics. Taking a behavioral and strategic approach, it examines how leadership psychology, decision-making biases, and structural choices shape venture outcomes. You will delve into co-founder selection, leadership models, cognitive biases, equity allocation, and conflict resolution, developing the skills needed to lead and manage high-performing teams in innovation-driven research commercialization. Emphasis on professional skills of: communication, project management, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and networking, resilience and adaptability.
Hybrid (In-person or Remote Synchronous)
Five sessions in July:
Mon, July 7: 11am-2pm
Thur, July 10:11am-2pm
Mon, July 14: 11am-2pm
Thur, July 17: 11am-2pm
Mon, July 21: 11am-2pm

(Note: when registering 10am-1:35pm will show; actual meeting times are above)

Faculty: Dr. Willy Das, Ph.D. (see bio above)

Fall 2025

Creative Techniques for Research Translation (TE 497-012)

Strengthen your research approach with our "Creative Techniques for Research Translation" course. Systematic creativity techniques can help researchers identify new opportunities for translating their work. Explore innovative methods such as: TRIZ and SCAMPER, Kano and Trimming, Bisociation and Melting Pot. By viewing your research through new and diverse lenses, you can open up a portfolio of possibilities. Engage in individual and interdisciplinary team exercises designed to expand your creative mindset. This course will lead to fresh conversations and innovative solutions, helping your research to make a significant impact. Emphasis on professional skills of: communication, project management, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and networking, resilience and adaptability.

Remote Synchronous 
Five every-other-Monday evenings from September through November:
Mon, Sept 8: 7:15pm-9:55pm
Mon, Sept 22: 7:15pm-9:55pm
Mon, Oct 6: 7:15pm-9:55pm
Mon, Oct 20: 7:15pm-9:55pm
Mon, Nov 3 : 7:15pm-9:55pm

Faculty: Maureen ‘Moe’ Rinkunas is Vice President of Innovation Programs at Redesign Health, where she leverages a strong background in science, engineering, and business. With a career spanning innovation roles at Corbion, Coplex, DuPont Venture, and Dreamit Ventures, Moe excels in guiding innovators to transform ideas into successful ventures across health tech, ed tech, and green chemistry. As a startup mentor, NSF I-Corps instructor, and adjunct faculty member at Lehigh University, she is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial growth and corporate innovation.

Intellectual Property Strategy for Research Impact (TE 497-024)
In the environment of research translation, intellectual property (IP) is not just a legal asset—it’s a strategic tool for market leadership, revenue generation, and long-term growth. This course explores how to develop and execute IP strategies that align with business goals, strengthen competitive positioning, and create sustainable value. Key learning areas include: strategic IP management, how to build and leverage an IP portfolio for competitive advantage; IP-driven market positioning, using patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets to differentiate; and licensing and monetization, structuring IP agreements to maximize value from both the licensor and licensee perspectives. In the final project assignment, “Licensing Strategies”, you team up with classmates to negotiate patent license agreements! Emphasis on professional skills of: communication, project management, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and networking, resilience and adaptability. Note: This course is designed to complement Intellectual Property Core Skills (TE 497-010) but does not require it as a prerequisite.
On-Campus Required
Five every-other-Tuesday evenings from September through November:
Tue, Sept 9: 4:25pm-7:05pm
Tue, Sept 23: 4:25pm-7:05pm
Tue, Oct 7: 4:25pm-7:05pm
Tue, Oct 21: 4:25pm-7:05pm
Tue, Nov 11: 4:25pm-7:05pm (note: Tue, Nov 4 is Civic Engagement Day - no classes held)

Faculty: Joe Maenner, Esq. is an Intellectual Property attorney with a background in Mechanical Engineering.  As founder of Maenner & Associates, LLC, his client base has ranged from Fortune 500 companies to large research universities, from small, privately held companies to independent inventors. He has been an adjunct professor at Lehigh for over 10 years, working with graduate students from across disciplines.

Communicating with Industry Stakeholders (TE 497-011)

Enhance your communication skills with our "Communicating with Stakeholders" course. This hands-on, experiential learning program offers a practical framework for identifying and interviewing stakeholders (e.g., users or investors) relevant to your research innovations. Learn techniques that reveal how your work can address unsolved or unresolved problems confronted by your potential market. Immersive activities include: simulations, including the use of AI, practical exercises, and live conversations with stakeholders. This course equips you with the tools to effectively engage with stakeholders, ensuring your research innovations reach their full potential and addresses real-world needs. Emphasis on professional skills of: communication, project management, critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and networking, resilience and adaptability.

Remote Synchronous 
Five every-other-Wednesday evenings from September through November:
Wed, Sept 10: 7:15pm-9:55pm
Wed, Sept 24: 7:15pm-9:55pm
Wed, Oct 8: 7:15pm-9:55pm
Wed, Oct 22: 7:15pm-9:55pm
Wed, Nov 5: 7:15pm-9:55pm

Faculty: 
Dr. Michael Lehman, Professor of Practice and Faculty Director of Technical Entrepreneurship, brings an interdisciplinary pedigree to the course; training as medical doctor with an MBA, work at JNJ and in hospital settings, and creator of entrepreneurship programs at three universities to support student innovators from the arts, humanities, social sciences, naturals sciences, business, and engineering.