José Ángel Sánchez, new head of the Knowledge Transfer Office

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Dr. José Ángel Sánchez García is coming 'home'. He studied his PhD at Materials Science Institute of Madrid (ICMM), CSIC, and now is coming back as head of the Knowledge Transfer Office. Here he answers some questions: 

What have you been working on so far? 

Between the years 2004 and 2010, I carried out my doctoral thesis at this center (ICMM) under the supervision of Doctors Raúl Gago and Luis Vázquez. Subsequently, from 2011 to 2012, I joined Dr. Carlos Prieto's group under a postdoctoral contract.

Since then, my professional career has been linked to Technological Centers (2012-2016) as a Senior Researcher and Head of the Surface and Advanced Materials Laboratory. I worked in the private company FARMALIDER Group (Pharmaceutical sector, between 2016 and 2021) as the Director of R&D Operations, assisting in tasks such as project monitoring, control, and financial management of R&D projects, seeking and applying for public funding, management of Intangible Assets and Patents, financial audits, technology licensing, public-private technology and patent transfer, company creation, and search for private capital.

Lastly, at CDTI (an entity under the Ministry of Science and Innovation, 2021-2023), I have been involved in the monitoring and control of over 250 R&D projects with Spanish companies and Research and Technological Centers.

What will you do at ICMM? 

As the Technology and Knowledge Transfer Manager at ICMM, I promote public-private collaborations in both R&D projects and Technological Services. I will assist in negotiating R&D contracts and licensing agreements with companies. I will contribute my knowledge and experience in patent management, promotion, and licensing of Intellectual Property (IP) and technologies. I will be involved in the selection and scaling of technologies for conducting Proof of Concept tests. Additionally, I will identify and assist in the creation of Spin-off Companies (EBTs) and search for private capital.

Why are you coming back to ICMM? 

Because it has been my "home" for over 8 years, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the current Director of ICMM, Dr. Jose Angel Martin Gago.

And a personal touch, any hobby? what will you bring to ICMM? 
I enjoy sports such as running and swimming. I also like to spend my free time with my family, especially in beach destinations and hiking in the mountains.

I intend to contribute to the institute with my knowledge of Intellectual Property management and establish synergies with companies in the industrial sector to promote knowledge transfer from the public sector to the private sector.