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Fred started as an electrical engineer at CalTech; some of his early projects were based on the technology that evolved into GPS. Then he got interested in patent law. Not long after, he found a position in CalTech's Office of Technology Transfer.

Fred says we're moving away from a Manufacturing economy to a Knowledge-based economy. Since universities create knowledge, they generate the raw materials for this new economy. The result: universities will become key players in economic development.

Professors love doing research, but not all of them are interested in commercialization. So is there a conflict, or just a perception problem? That's what we get into...

Thanks to Tech Coast Angel member Bill Collins for arranging the introduction.