Lassonde New Venture Development Center

Student mission

During a year long process, students receive weekly mentoring and teaching from both the executive director and local professionals. Students are trained in the various disciplines involved with early stage business development, from intellectual property to market analysis and strategy to writing a business plan. While receiving this training, students work in teams to evaluate and develop business opportunities based on real technologies coming out of the labs at The University of Utah. The result is an unparalleled real world education in technology entrepreneurship that will create future leaders in the high tech industry.

2011-2012 students

The Lassonde Center is made up of a diverse mix of students from all backgrounds. Here are the names for the current associates. Find their pictures and biographies below:

Student Directors
Spencer Walker	Gibson Peters	Vimal Swarup
Senior Associates
Nic Anderson	Ed Jang
Associates
Jackson Adams	Austin Aerts	Marion Bonar	Brett Burton
John Carpenter	Ameya Chaudhari	Tim Cosgrove	Jeff Ehlers
Jacob Erramouspe	Stephen Foxley	Micah Frerck	Palmer Hawkins
Harikrishnan Jayamohan	Kathleen Job	Andre Kemeny	David Kent
Christian Lewis	Jesus Loya	Christopher Mercer	Zac Peeler
Emily Theisen	Ryan Tucker	Michael White

Past students

• 2010-2011 students

Spencer Walker (Director)

Spencer is a second year MBA student and received a B.S. in Health Promotion and Education from the University of Utah in 2009. He was first introduced to the Pierre Lassonde Entrepreneur Center when as an undergraduate he competed in various collegiate business plan and student competitions. He led two different teams, one a real estate venture, the other an interactive web-based activity/health monitor focused on improving adolescent wellness. He was impressed with the Center's cross-departmental collaboration and was determined to one day join this entrepreneurial cohort. After graduation Spencer worked five years in the financial services industry and now consults for local credit unions. This is Spencer's second year with the Lassonde New Venture Development Center. He looks forward to working with this year's associates and building lasting relationships to advance his career and help others do the same.

Gibson Peters (Director)

Gibson graduated from Colorado College with a Bachelor's degree in Physics and holds a Master's in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon, Gibson worked as a Civil/Environmental Engineer at the Low Impact Development Center, a leading think tank in sustainable infrastructure. After leaving the Low Impact Development Center, Gibson worked for SvR Design, a cutting edge design firm focused on designing and building innovative and sustainable solutions. While at SvR, Gibson also became registered as a Professional Engineer.

After the downturn in the construction industry in 2008, Gibson changed his focus from designing and constructing projects to building and constructing new businesses with new technologies. Gibson views new business developments as an effective way to repair the struggling American economy. He is excited to use the skills he will develop at the Lassonde Center as a springboard to launch new businesses of his own after graduating from the University of Utah's David Eccles School of Business in 2012.

In his free time, Gibson enjoys racing sailboats on Utah's lakes and reservoirs, hiking Utah's mountains, and skiing on Utah's soft plentiful snow.

Vimal Swarup (Director)

I completed my undergraduate studies in Biotechnology from BIT Mesra, India, and chose to pursue masters' degree in Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), Chicago. After finishing my masters, I joined the PhD program in bioengineering at the University of Utah. My current research deals with studying the influence of modified proteoglycans on neuronal growth and path finding. I am also interested in the area of biomaterials and the broader implications of their usage. I participated in the Debating Science 2009 workshop conducted by The University of Montana and NSF, and worked on outlining policy guidelines for regulating nanomaterials.

Outside research, I enjoy photography and learning about world changing ideas.

This is my first year with the Lassonde New Venture Development Center and I am excited about exploring commercial potential of various cutting edge innovations.

Nic Anderson (Senior Associate)

Nic is currently a second year Professional MBA student at the University of Utah. He is currently the Senior Medical Technology Analyst for an Intermountain Healthcare Company in Salt Lake City. In this position he researches the latest advances in biomedical technology in order to determine imbursement policy. Aside from his work with Intermountain, Nic consults start-up medtech firms on their reimbursement strategies. After completing a bachelor's in behavioral neuroscience at Purdue University he went on to obtain a master's in bioimaging at Boston University. Nic's master's research involved examining subcortical white matter microstructural changes in Rhesus monkey models with magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. He has also lived in French Polynesia and Thailand and speaks fluent French and Tahitian. Nic is excited to couple his scientific knowledge with the work he is doing at the Lassonde Center in order to produce beneficial and profitable technologies. Following his MBA program, Nic would like to pursue a career that would allow him to continue working internationally.

Ed Jang (Senior Associate)

Ed graduated from the California State University, Los Angeles, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in International Marketing Management. After graduating he worked as a restaurant consultant before entering law school to pursue his JD.

He is a second year student at the SJ Quinney College of Law, where he is currently the Pro Bono Initiative Fellow.

Jackson Adams (Associate)

Jackson brings with him a strong background in molecular biology and biotechnology. In his current professional role, Jackson helps biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies validate both clinical and release product stability procedures for regulatory submission. Drawn to the University of Utah's strong focus on innovation and commercialization in the life sciences, Jackson is in his first year as an MBA student; concentrating in Entrepreneurship and Finance. He has interned at the University's Technology and Commercialization Office, and is excited to move into his role at the Lassonde Center this year. In his free time, you can find Jackson skiing at Alta with his family.

Austin Aerts (Associate)

Austin graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Utah in 2011 with a BS in Accounting. During his senior year he worked as an intern with Ernst & Young where he audited public and private company financial statements, government compliance records, and the SEC registration of a tech company. During his final semester he worked as interim controller for a medium-sized online marketing company where he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the accounting department, producing the monthly financial statements, and working closely with the CFO to make vital financing decisions.

Austin credits his work experiences for giving him a much deeper understanding of accounting and business. He is looking forward to working with the Lassonde Center because it will give him the rare opportunity to immediately apply what he learns at the David Eccles School of Business in an intense real-world environment. He has always had an entrepreneurial spirit and is very excited about bringing the ground-breaking ideas of his fellow University students to the marketplace.

Following graduation from the Masters of Accounting program in 2012, Austin will resume employment with Ernst & Young in Salt Lake City where he lives with his wife. He hopes that the experience with Lassonde will enhance his career opportunities and prepare him for future entrepreneurial ventures.

Marion Bonar (Associate)

Marian graduated from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, UT in 2008 with a B.S. in Economics. While attending Westminster, Marian served as a student instructor in the Economics department and authored a paper on the economics of land use policies at the Bureau of Land Management. During her last semester at Westminster, Marian interned at a Salt Lake City-based energy consulting firm, Energy Strategies, where she worked on diverse research and due diligence projects.

Marian began working full-time as a junior analyst and then analyst at Energy Strategies after completing her undergraduate work. Marian's work at Energy Strategies now focuses on economic and market analysis for independent energy developers and large industrial energy users.

As a MBA candidate and Lassonde Center Student Associate Marian looks forward to expanding the application of her quantitative experience and education to other industries and projects.

In her free time, Marian has been to Everest Base Camp and the top of Mt. Blanc, coached competitive snowboarding, and enjoys cooking, mountain biking and listening to The Beatles.

Brett Burton (Associate)

Brett graduated with an honors baccalaureate degree in bioengineering from the University of Utah in 2008. Prior to graduation, he was awarded three associate degrees in electrical, mechanical and computer engineering from the College of Southern Idaho. During his undergraduate studies, he became interested in cardiac electrophysiology and biophysics after his statistics professor encouraged students to study various, influential innovators. In 2008, he was accepted into the bioengineering PhD program at the University of Utah and began researching computational modeling of partial-thickness, cardiac ischemia at the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute. His research aims to provide a highly parameterized source representation of ischemia during the early stages of ischemic development. Understanding the development of ischemia and its bioelectric effects on the torso surface will allow physicians to more accurately diagnose and localize the condition.

Brett and his wife, Jennifer, relocated from Idaho to Utah in 2005. They are the proud parents of two boys. Brett enjoys various outdoor activities such as water skiing, cycling, swimming, racquetball, disc golf and just about anything that allows him to get away from his computer for a few hours to spend time with his family.

John Carpenter (Associate)

I graduated from Bowdoin College in 2005 with a BS in Geology and Physics. I am currently a second year law student at the S.J. Quinney School of Law here at the University of Utah. I spent the time between undergraduate and law school working for EDAX-TSL as an applications engineer. I traveled the continent consulting and training customers on the best use of our research equipment for their Research and Development groups. Working with these R&D groups in both academic and industry settings led to an interest in intellectual property and venture capital law.

I originally came to Utah to continue a life-long passion for skiing and experience the "greatest snow on earth" for myself.

Ameya Chaudhari(Associate)

I am currently pursuing my dual degree MS (Chemical Engineering)/MBA at the University of Utah. Prior to joining this program, I was working as a systems engineer at Infosys Technologies Ltd., a global leader
in IT services, where I was responsible for developing a software tool for the client of the organization. I have completed my undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from University of Pune, India. In summer 2011, I have worked as a USTAR intern, developing a business plan for commercializing microbial treatment of black wax (highly paraffinic crude oil). I have also been involved in technology development process where I was performing different experiments dealing with microbial treatment of black wax at the University of Utah. Following my graduation, I plan to work in the Energy Sector preferably oil & gas industry, and be part of a project involving technology and business development.

Tim Cosgrove (Associate)

Tim Cosgrove is a second year MBA student with a BA in biology from Grinnell College and a life-long emphasis on entrepreneurship. He keeps busy directing the Opportunity Quest business plan competition, running the Utah Life Science Club, and stays active in the business student community as a participant in SMART Start, the Masters' Entrepreneur Club, and the Utah Entrepreneur Challenge. With a patent in aerodynamics and published research in neuroscience, his academic record reflects his broad personal interests and problem solving mindset. This combination of interests and an entrepreneurial bent has enabled Tim to found numerous small businesses spanning a variety of industries including real estate, trucking, and medical devices.

Jeff Ehlers (Associate)

Jeff graduated cum laude in April 2008 from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Accounting. While at BYU, he held a student leadership position with the Rollins Center for eBusiness, where he increased his passion for entrepreneurship. Following graduation, Jeff earned his CPA license and worked for 2 years at a public accounting firm in Boise, ID. Later, he worked for several months at an international non-profit in Washington, DC. In his discretionary time, Jeff enjoys politics, baseball, and reading. As a full-time MBA student, he is excited to be a part of the Lassonde Center and supplement his accounting background with new learning opportunities.

Jacob Erramouspe (Associate)

Jake graduated Summa Cum Laude from Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He is concurrently pursuing an MBA and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. His business interests are in the areas of operations, finance, and management. He is specializing in controls and power systems for his engineering degree.

Before beginning the MBA program, Jake worked at Intermountain Electronics, a company that designs and builds custom electrical distribution equipment, as a research and design engineer where he was also certified as a Six Sigma green belt. He spent the last summer working at Rio Tinto as an electrical engineering intern where he helped manage a large capital expenditure project. Jake is an active member of Tau Beta Pi and IEEE.

Jake was nominated by peers, faculty and the MBA Program Staff to be a part of the new MBA Ambassador team for the 2011-2012 year. He actively volunteers for the Utah Entrepreneurial Challenge and is the current president of the graduate business operations management club. He was elected by the MBA class to represent the entire graduate business school as a leading member of the David Eccles Graduate Business School Association (GBSA).

Jake enjoys learning about new technologies and is an avid outdoorsman and golfer. He is excited for the opportunity to further enhance his entrepreneurial skills through the Lassonde Center program.

Stephen Foxley (Associate)

Stephen graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California with a bachelors of science in Business Administration.

Before enrolling in law school, Stephen created the cash flow budget for Energy Solutions while working in the company's Treasury department. He also developed training curriculum for the firm's Oracle and Kronos implementations.

Stephen currently works as a law clerk for Woodbury Corporation, a commercial real estate company.

Micah Frerck (Associate)

Micah graduated in 2007 with a Bachelors of Biomedical Engineering from the Institute of Technology at the University of Minnesota. Following graduation, Micah joined Zimmer Spine as a Product Development Engineer and was responsible for designing custom and specialty instruments and implants for neurosurgeons. He was honored as an "Innovation Champion" and directed his efforts towards the development of medical devices that catered to individuals were no current product could meet their clinical needs.

In 2009 in collaboration with Stanford University and the University of Minnesota Micah also served as the lead engineer for a new venture focused on the development of a wireless, disposable fetal heart rate monitor. The design was based on Micah's undergraduate research on the development of a digital stethoscope using electroactive polymers. Micah has gone on to return to the academic ring and is currently in his third year of graduate studies at the University of Utah and is working towards a PhD in Bioengineering. Micah is excited about his opportunity at the Lassonde Center and aspires to have a start-up before graduation.

Aside from Micah's academic career he is an avid artist and an aspiring musician currently learning the violin and the Irish low whistle. He enjoys the outdoors and maintains an amateur boxing career.

Palmer Hawkins (Associate)

Palmer graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then moved south to the University of Utah to work on a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA. Palmer Interned at the Vice President's Office of Administrative Services as a financial analyst during the first year of his graduate studies. During this time, he also served as a board member for Ririe Woodbury and techTITANS.

Palmer currently works as the business manager of BioInnovations Gateway where he assists start up life science companies through the early stage development of their businesses. He is also the student chair for techTITANS, a state wide business idea competition for college students. Palmer is passionate about technology commercialization, business development, and entrepreneurship.

Palmer enjoys participating in athletics and the various outdoor activities the State of Utah has to offer with friends and family.

Harikrishnan Jayamohan (Associate)

Harikrishnan holds a Masters degree in Operations Management and a Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Southern California (USC).

He has worked in technology, consulting and research and development roles for start-ups to fortune 500 companies. His current interest is in Nanotechnology with focus on Microfluidics and Nano-sensors. He is currently working on his PhD in Mechanical Engineering and is a recipient of the Nano Institute of Utah fellowship. He is the student advisory liaison for Nano Institute of Utah and part of planning committee for nanoUtah 2011. He has held leadership roles in past including Finance Chair at USC Graduate Students Senate, Vice President at USC Engineering Graduate Students Organization and Senator, USC Graduate Students Senate.

His other interests include hiking, rafting and rock climbing.

Kathleen Job (Associate)

Kathleen graduated from Utah State with bachelor's degrees in Chemistry (2003; magna cum laude) and Business (2005; cum laude). Afterwards, she joined the PhD program in bioengineering at the University of Utah. Her current research focuses on the biomechanical characterization of the endothelial glycocalyx, which is involved in vascular barrier functions. More generally, she is interested in the scientific advancement and application of medical technologies. Her dual science and business background fostered a set of skills well suited for the field.

Outside of research, she enjoys playing volleyball, traveling, wakeboarding, and skiing.

This is Kathleen's first year as a Lassonde Student Associate. She looks forward to being involved in the transition of innovative technologies to viable products in the business market.

Andre Kemeny (Associate)

Andre Kemeny is currently a 2nd year MBA/MHA student and expects to graduate in the summer of 2012. He received a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master's degree in Physiology from Purdue University where he authored and co-authored several medically related journal articles. Following graduation, Andre worked as a consultant for Zoll Medical Corporation.

Most recently, and just prior to coming to the University of Utah, Andre worked as the Non-Clinical Process Manager for Med Institute, a Cook Medical company. In this position, his responsibilities were to manage the testing of medical devices and to support regulatory approvals for clinical use in the United States and internationally.

Andre's background has helped him bridge the gap between engineering and medicine. He is passionate about medical devices and is driven to help improve patients' lives. Following graduation, he plans on continuing to work in the medical device field in a business development role.

In addition to his career interests, Andre enjoys music, playing basketball, spending time with his family, and serving in his church.

David Kent (Associate)

David graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Genetics. For his PhD dissertation at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, David characterized the gene structure and biological function of a gene that operates in a cancer-causing molecular pathway. As a postdoctoral fellow, David studied spinal cord regeneration at the University of Utah. He has presented his findings at regional and national conferences and has been published in scientific journals including Development and Neural Development.

David transitioned from an academic research career to pursue business and intellectual property law. Currently, he is in his final year at the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law where he has emphasized Intellectual Property and Licensing. David is Managing Editor of the Environmental Law Review and President of the Student Intellectual Property Law Association.

Christian Lewis (Associate)

Christian graduated from the University of Utah in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication and a minor in German. That same year, he moved to Arlington, Virginia and for the past eight years has worked for D. R. Horne & Company as a real estate and land-planning consultant on projects of natural, cultural or historical significance. His work included managing and supporting diverse land planning and development projects throughout the country that involved teams of architects, engineers, and environmental scientists, as well as managing Geographic Information Systems databases for many clients. Christian developed an aesthetic for clean cartographic design that clearly portrays vital information necessary for property planning.

In 2011, Christian left Virginia to pursue an MBA at the University of Utah. He understands the importance of technological advancements and is excited to join the Lassonde Center and partner with a diverse team of talented students and professionals working to bring new technologies to market.

Following graduation, Christian looks forward to applying this experience to the development of new start-up technology businesses. Christian and his wife, Jessie, are the parents of four children and currently live in Park City, Utah.

Jesus Loya (Associate)

Jesus graduated with an Honors Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Utah in 2010. He is currently pursuing an MBA & MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship and Electromagnetics respectively. Jesus's has been involved in various research projects including: The Utah Home Automation Network Device (U-HAND) for People with Disabilities, Plasmonic Solar Cells for Light Trapping, Design of a Dual PIFA Antenna and Attosecond Pulses.

Jesus currently serves as the Director of Investment Operations for Park City Angels, a group of accredited investors focused in early-stage venture capital. He is excited to be a part of the Lassonde New Venture Development Center and looks forward to work with eminent students, faculty and business professionals in the development and delivery of ground-breaking products and sustainable solutions that will contribute to Utah's high spirit of prosperity and innovation.

Jesus enjoys volunteering in community projects, snowboarding, hiking, water rafting, mountain biking, running, cooking and reading.

Christopher Mercer (Associate)

Chris is a second year law student at the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law. Chris interned with the United Nations in New York City and Third Judicial District Judge Keith Kelly in Summit County over the summer. Apart from being a student associate with the Lassonde New Venture Development Center, he is also a staff member for the Journal of Law and Family Studies. Prior to coming to law school, Chris joined the United States Army where he was a combat medic for the 1/6 infantry battalion, right after high school. He spent 10 and half months in Iraq between 2003 and 2004. He received various medals for his service including the Army Commendation Medal with V-device for valorous actions in direct contact with the enemy force. After serving his country, he went back to school and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Florida. Chris plans to use his experience from Iraq and the Lassonde Center for a career in international development, specifically, bringing technologies to third world countries to help improve the quality of life.

Zac Peeler (Associate)

Zac is a dual masters degree student in biomedical engineering and business administration. Last year he placed in opportunity quest and the entrepreneur challenge. His team won the first annual ACG conference last year as well. Currently he is in his second year and is interning at USTAR.

Emily Theisen (Associate)

Emily graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison with a B.Sc. in Biology with a certificate in Integrated Liberal Studies in 2009. During her undergraduate years she competed with the student- run UW sailing team, acting as Fundraising Chair during her junior year. She also worked for the UW Hospital Pulmonary Clinical Research Unit facilitating both NIH and industry-sponsored clinical studies where she was first exposed to the translation of scientific advances into clinical applications.

A third-year student at the University of Utah, Emily matriculated in the Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry department to pursue a degree that would allow further exploration of the basic research that goes into development of new technologies. Her dissertation work in the Center for Investigational Therapeutics focuses on preclinical development of a new first-in-class oncology drug targeting the epigenetic programming of cancer cells. While the translational path for drug entities is relatively well-defined, Emily is looking forward to learning more about the process for other types of technologies developed on campus. She believes that continued opportunities for creativity and innovation are important to maintain a healthy economy and is looking forward to helping create these opportunities through the Lassonde Center.

Outside of the University, Emily finds time to backcountry ski, mountain bike, rock climb and race sailboats all over Utah and the Mountain West. She is also a regular at the Farmer's Market in the summer and loves to cook.

Ryan Tucker (Associate)

Ryan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 2004. For nearly six years after graduation, Ryan worked for the Utah State Tax Commission as a corporate auditor, analyzing and auditing corporate franchise and income tax returns.

Ryan left the Tax Commission to pursue an MBA at the University of Utah. One of the primary reasons Ryan selected the University of Utah's MBA program is the opportunity to participate in The Lassonde Center, supporting his interest in entrepreneurship, business planning and financial analysis.

Following graduation in the spring of 2013, Ryan would like to be an entrepreneur, either creating or growing companies that benefit society in a meaningful way.

Michael White (Associate)

Michael is a former physician with 15 years of clinical experience in the practice of emergency medicine. He has been a consultant to the pharmaceutical industry and served as Chief Clinical Investigator on a number of clinical trials for Nastech Pharmaceutical, Inc. Michael also has personal experience in entrepreneurship, having founded Mercury On-Call, a boutique concierge medical practice and holistic wellness center, in New York City on September 11, 2001.

Michael is currently completing an MBA at the University of Utah and working as a data warehouse analyst with Information Technology Services at University of Utah Health Care. Michael holds a medical degree from the University of Louisville and a bachelor degree in chemistry from the University of Kentucky. When he's not working, Michael is an avid guitarist and film enthusiast. He also is actively engaged in creative writing in a variety of forms. Michael has a wonderful wife and three great canine children.

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