Bio
Leslie Smith is a Commercialization Manager at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and is responsible for intellectual property (IP) management and technology commercialization for bioscience, environmental science, computing and computational science and neutron science research areas.
Leslie has over 10 years of leadership experience in technology transfer and partnerships, including her role as the Director of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer/Business Development at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Prior to her career in technology transfer, Leslie focused on environmental quality management as an Environmental Scientist.
Leslie holds a Juris Doctor from Southern University Law Center along with a Master of Science in Environmental Planning and Management and a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from LSU.
Professional Experience
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN
- Commercialization Manager, Partnerships, 2024-present
- Group Leader, Strategic Partnerships Office, 2021-2024
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
- Director, Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, 2012-2021
- Safety Officer, 2004-2012
Teris, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
- Environmental Field Chemist, Field Supervisor, 2002-2004
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, Baton Rouge, LA
- Environmental Scientist 1, Water Division, 2001-2002
Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LA
- Research Associate, 1997-2001
Education
Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA
- Juris Doctor, May 2011
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
- Master of Science, Environmental Planning and Management, May 2007
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
- Bachelor of Science, Microbiology, December 1998
Professional Service
1. Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) Better World Project committee member (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
2. Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) Annual Meeting Program committee member
(2016, 2017, 2018)
3. Patents for Humanity Judge (Fall 2015, Fall 2017)
4. Federal Laboratory Consortium Annual Awards Judge (2023)
Professional Affiliations
- Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM)
- Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC)
- Licensing Executive Society (LES)