Rick Smith

Director, Office of Technology Transfer
Phone: (610) 758-5841
Email: res419@lehigh.edu
 

Rick joined Lehigh University in 2019. As the Director of Lehigh University’s Office of Technology Transfer, Rick manages all the daily operations of the office. He has been engaged in many aspects of technology development, commercialization, and innovation, over the course of his career. He has held previous technology commercialization positions at Ohio State University, Columbia University, and Rutgers University. Rick began his technology licensing and commercialization career as a consultant for Innovaro, Inc. where he consulted clients on technology transfer with universities and federal labs.

Rick has held engineering analysis, design, and development positions in the fields of spectrophotometry instrumentation, optical network design, and underwater acoustics. He has also held positions in banking as a business analyst and a corporate financial consultant where he drafted business plans, financial forecasting, and facilitated the acquisition of growth capital for clients. In his spare time, he is an avid winemaker and plays competitive baseball in the MSBL.

Education:
  ○ MS, Entrepreneurship in Applied Technologies - USF
  ○ MBA, Finance and Accounting – University of Tampa
  ○ MS, Electrical Engineering specializing in Photonics - UMBC
  ○ BS, Physics - UMBC
  ○ BS, Computer Science – UMCP
  ○ Coursework in the Moritz College of Law, OSU

Certifications:
  ○ RTTP (2014)
  ○ CLP (2014-2023)
  ○ Kauffman Fellows Techstars Venture Deals

Professional Memberships:
  ○ AUTM
  ○ Licensing Executives Society USA

Nora Thomson

Technology Commercialization Associate
Phone: (610) 758-5677
Email: net222@lehigh.edu
 

Nora Thomson joined the Office of Tech Transfer in December of 2024, having completed her M.Eng. in Technical Entrepreneurship and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering & Product Design at Lehigh. With expertise in market analysis and intellectual property, she works to bridge the gap between innovation and real-world application. In her spare time, Nora enjoys crafting, reading, and sewing.

Arastina Barry

Coordinator, Invention Management
Phone: (610) 758-5883
Email: arb313@lehigh.edu
 

Arastina Barry joined the Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) in October 2022 as the Coordinator of Invention Management. She manages the invention disclosures and monitors the patent process. She brings with her a variety of technical experience. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, playing softball, and spending time with family and friends.