RSP winter proposal-writing workshop series begins Jan. 13

Research and Sponsored Programs offers the Western Washington University community a number of workshops designed to help faculty and staff members write more effective proposals to external agencies.

This new series is in response to requests from several campus members. The sessions are intended to be interactive and are meant to build a community for those involved in writing proposals.

Beth G. Etscheid, Ph.D., director of Research Commercialization and director of Licensing at the Washington Research Foundation, will be the first featured speaker in the winter quarter workshop series. She will give an overview of Washington Research Foundation’s programs and services to support research, innovation, entrepreneurship and licensing (http://www.wrfseattle.org/gift-program.php and http://www.wrfseattle.org/licensing-program.php ). Etscheid is also available for individual consultations with faculty. Her presentation will take place at noon Wednesday, Jan. 13, in Viking Union Room 462.

According to WRF’s website, Etscheid is responsible for the licensing of most of WRF’s biomedical inventions, comprising therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices and biotechnology. She monitors license agreements that generate several million dollars annually, negotiates new license agreements and manages a patent portfolio of more than 30 technologies. In addition, she assists in the due diligence to support WRF investments in biotechnology startups.

She has a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Smith College and a doctorate in pharmacology and cell physiology from the University of Chicago. She was a postdoctoral fellow at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center for four years before joining WRF. She is an active participant in the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association and Licensing Executives Society.

Following Beth Etscheid’s presentation, RSP will offer three additional workshops during winter quarter. Tracey Finch will lead the discussion in the next workshop Jan. 20, covering the ins and outs of writing a budget for external agencies. On Jan. 27, Ron Marks will lead a discussion on principles and practices of on and off campus collaboration. The winter quarter workshop series will conclude on Feb. 3 with Tracey Finch covering topics relating to budget justifications and broader impact statements.

Graduate students and new faculty are encouraged to attend. To RSVP for the first workshop or to be added to the email list for workshop information, contact RSP Program Coordinator Coco Besson at coco.besson@wwu.edu.