Contact Information for the UNR-DRI Technology Transfer Office

Director: Dr. Richard A. Bjur
Dick Bjur has headed up the technology transfer operations at the University of Nevada, Reno since 1994. He holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Colorado, and a J.D. from the Nevada School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in the State of Nevada and is a registered patent attorney.  
Phone: (775)784-4116
Fax: (775)327-2248
Email: bjur@unr.edu

Associate Director:  Ryan A. Heck, Ph.D.
Ryan has been managing intellectual property protection for the Technology Transfer Office since he joined the Office in 2008.  Before that, Ryan worked for over seven years as an outside patent attorney during which time he practiced in both patent procurement and patent enforcement.  He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a J.D. from the University of Colorado, Boulder, School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in the States of Nevada and Texas and is a registered patent attorney.  Ryan also holds a diploma for the Craft Brewers Apprenticeship Program from, and is a member of, the American Brewers Guild.
Phone:  (775)784-8228
Fax:  (775)327-2248
Email:  ryanah@unr.edu

Director of IP Marketing & Business Development:  Michael Birdsell
Michael Birdsell has experience with a wide variety of business development projects, including early stage start-up management.  He has worked for both private and university-based start-up companies involved in taking early stage technologies to market.  His background includes venture capital project management and serving as Director of Client Services for an international patent asset services company.  His recent start-up work has focused on the bio-technology space.  He holds a B.S. from Arizona State University where he studied Business and Liberal Arts.
Phone:  (775)784-4781
Fax:  (775)327-2248
Email:  mbirdsell@unr.edu

Program Officer: Lisa Grey
Lisa Grey processes material transfer agreements, proprietary disclosure agreements and patent application documents.  She maintains the TTO's intellectual property database, and provides administrative support for the TTO's director.  Lisa is also a Notary Public.
Phone : (775)784-4421
Fax : (775)327-2248
Email: lgrey@unr.nevada.edu

Financial Analyst:  April Sferrazzo
April Sferrazzo processes the TTO.s financial transactions including accounts receivable, accounts payable and royalty distribution.  She ensures the TTO is compliant with federal regulations relating to invention reporting.  She provides administrative support to the Associate Director/Patent Counsel.  April holds a Bachelors Degree in Nutrition from Cal State Long Beach, is a Certified Paralegal and a Notary Public.
Phone:  (775)784-7722
Fax:  (775)327-2248
Email:  asferrazzo@unr.edu