Tech transfer brings more business opportunities for ISU research

With a new director of technology transfer, Idaho State University will be looking to commercialize new inventions and technological developments.

In his new position, Christopher Fasel is looking to find new technologies to make a difference.

“We feel there’s an obligation to make sure (the public) receives the benefits of that research in the form of new products, new medical services and new devices,” said Fasel. “Basically, any way that we can make the world a little bit better.”

With tech transfer, ISU students and researchers could have their research turn into tech start up companies or license it out to a company to use to create a product or service.

While ISU has a lot of highly successful research facilities, like the Idaho Accelerator Center and Rise Complex, Fasel feels there’s more opportunities in other departments.

“There’s just an enormous amount of potential that still needs to be utilizied,” said Fasel.

Dan Cravens, regional economist with the Idaho Department of Labor, has seen what tech transfer can do. He saw a number of local start ups take root through Purdue University’s tech transfer initiatives.

“It created a lot of high paying jobs,” said Cravens. “A lot of other jobs in the economy were created because you had this cluster of high-tech companies.”

That’s what Fasel is working toward, and it sounds like he’s on his way.

“Just in the short time I’ve been here, we have three projects already that we’re partnering with companies,” he said. “It’s confidential at the moment.”

While they’re confidential, Fasel said the projects would be in the energy sector, with a product possibly related to cancer therapeutics.

Fasel also encourages anyone to contact him with any high-tech ideas as well. Anyone can reach him by email at fasechri@isu.edu or call his office at (208) 282-1646.