Co-Laboratory director will focus on scientists’ business relationships

Anne Tripicchio

A native Iowan “hit the ground running” when she took over as director of the Innovations Development Facility in September 2003.

Cheryl Kamman, who has a bachelor’s and master’s from Iowa State, is the first to hold the position, which is part of the new Roy J. Carver Co-Laboratory facility.

Kamman has gotten off to a productive start, said Stephen Howell, director of the Plant Sciences Institute. Kamman was chosen for her experience in business development and intellectual property issues.

Kamman’s position is part-time but still manages to keep her busy, she said. She currently works at the office of Intellectual Property full-time but plans to quit her position after a replacement is found.

Kamman said she wishes to work only part-time to allow her to spend more time with her two children. She said her new position focuses on interaction between local businesses and ISU scientists.

“Businesses will work alongside ISU scientists,” Kamman said. “We hope this will foster a relationship between them, and they will talk amongst each other.”

For students, the facility offers research assistant opportunities, as well as grants and hourly employment.

“[The Innovations Development Facility] allows students space to try out ideas,” Kamman said.

“It offers them an opportunity to get their feet wet, and see if they like business.”

Located in the new Roy J. Carver Co-Laboratory, the Innovations Development Facility includes business incubators and a public and private partnership program.

The partnership program allows exchange and interaction between university faculty, staff, students and private sector scientists.

“This is a really good opportunity to get a taste of the private sector,” Howell said.

In addition to the partnership program, the facility provides business incubators, which are laboratories where businesses may set up to get started.

“This is a great opportunity to start a business; we offer low rental rates and state-of-the-art equipment,” Kamman said.

Kamman helps businesses get started by assisting with business plans and research proposals. She also helps them establish contacts.

The Innovations Development Facility leases out both lab space and office space to businesses.

“We offer state-of-the-art equipment for businesses to share,” Kamman said.