Current Associates
ATI draws associates from all over The University: recently, we have worked with students from 9 different UT-Austin schools and colleges, both graduate and undergraduate. Those programs include Computer Science, Communications, Pharmacy, Engineering, English, Library Science, Business and Journalism. In addition to current students, ATI takes a small number of recent graduates and community members into its program.
Below is the current class of ATI associates:
Toni Miranda-Aranda is a MSTC candidate at the McCombs School of Business. He has been working in the IT and Wireless industry for more than 10 years in Europe (France, The Netherlands and Spain). He has also been doing research for more than 4 years in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation. His areas of interest include technology commercialization and strategy, and entrepreneurship. At ATI, Toni enjoys working with companies that develop new products and technologies to address a need in the market and he is providing support on the market validation process. Prior to McCombs, Toni worked for 5 years in software development, data and voice network deployment and IT security, and the last 6 years in the Technology Incubator and Technology Transfer Office in Barcelona. He graduated from Polithecnic University of Catalonia (UPC) and he got his MSc inTelecom Engineering in La Salle School of Engineering. He is taking a year of sabbatical for his PhD in Technology Management.
Tanuja Deo is an MBA candidate at the McCombs School of Business, focusing on Operations and Strategy. She has a MS in Electrical Engineering from University of Massachusetts and a BS in Electronics Engineering from India. Tanuja has worn many hats throughout her career and has successfully worked as an Engineer, Sales Associate, Project Manager and Business Development Manager. In 2010, Tanuja moved to Austin from the Silicon Valley where she did business with many web2.0 and tech start-ups. She is passionate about teaching and counseling and likes Indian dance and music. Her LinkedIn profile is at http://www.linkedin.com/in/tanujadeo
Clare Magee is a graduate student in energy policy at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Politics & Government from the University of Puget Sound. Her research concentrates on the cost-effectiveness of utility-owned community solar projects. Prior to studying energy policy at UT, she worked in Washington D.C. for three years at the U.S. Green Building Council, where she helped coordinate advocacy for LEED adoption and related energy efficiency initiatives at the state and municipal levels across the country. Clare is presently employed at the Austin Technology Incubator in the Clean Energy division. She is the chair-elect of the 2014 UT Energy Forum, the president of the Longhorn Energy Club, and an Archer Graduate Fellowship recipient.
Chase Sellmyer studied nearly all of the liberal arts at UT Austin and so is now finishing a Master’s in Technology Commercialization at UT’s McCombs School. Having worked with startups both in Austin and abroad for his entire post-collegiate life, he is not only experienced but also excited afresh at every new chance to catalyze a success, which is why he enjoys being a part of ATI. His strengths are in sales, marketing, and event production. A former collegiate rower, competitive weightlifter, and spelling bee champ, outside of McCombs and ATI he enjoys cycling, rock climbing, reading the classics, and building things.
Alexa Chally is an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin. She is currently working towards her BS in Geography and the Environment with a focus on Sustainability. Before joining ATI, she studied in Guatemala and France, and was a competitive fencer. A true born and raised Austinite, Alexa is passionate about leading her community forward to a greener future.
Gen Li, is a JD candidate at the University of Texas, school of Law. His main focus in law school is on international energy cooperation, in both traditional and renewable energy areas. Gen has formerly worked as a law clerk for the Hess Corporation’s legal department in Houston. Before joining ATI, Gen studied Asian Studies and Economics at the George Washington University
Nisha Abraham completed her Masters Degree in Biology from Texas A&M University in July 2012, where her research was focused on improving student motivation and performance in science education. She currently works as an ATI Associate and an adjunct faculty member at South University. During her time at Texas A&M, Nisha was a teaching assistant for several undergraduate biology classes and worked for The Center for Teaching Excellence at Texas A&M, improving TA and international TA training modules for future use. Nisha has extensive industry experience, spending three years working with the custom siRNA group at Life Technologies and interning with Applied Biosystems in the Protein group. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2007. Nisha also gained academic research experience, as a research assistant for a developmental biology lab at Texas A&M, where she studied factors and signaling mechanisms important for ear development in zebrafish. While attending the University of Texas, she worked for three years as an undergraduate researcher in the Plant Biology Labs, where she studied the effects of gravitropism and apyrases on plant growth. She loves food, lives on coffee and will kill for cheesecake.
Michael Sandoval recently completed his Master of Science in Pharmacy from The University of Texas at Austin. His thesis research focused on innovative delivery strategies for poorly water-soluble drugs using lipid and polymeric nanoparticles, with an emphasis on anti-cancer drugs. Michael’s research and academic accomplishments earned him the 2012 American Foundation Pharmaceutical Education Fellowship and Texas Exes Distinguished Teach Award. In addition to research, Michael served students at UT as president of the Pharmacy Graduate Student Association and co-founded the FlyPath organization, whose sole mission is to develop personalized professional development programs for undergraduate and graduate students. His interests and expertise also include pharmaceutical manufacturing and related business development, including target product profile and competitive landscape assessment. Michael has a passion for volunteering and maintains strong ties to the community by dedicating time to health care services and serving underprivileged community members. Prior to joining UT, Michael was an accomplished scholar at Oregon State University and holds a dual B.S. in Toxicology and Biology, with minors in Chemistry and Bioresources and Research. He also holds several authorships in peer-reviewed journals and is co-inventor of a novel drug delivery system.
Bhushan Hole is an MBA candidate at the McCombs School of Business. He holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Syracuse University and Bachelor’s from Mumbai University in India. He has over 8 years of experience in medical device industry in research, product development, project management, and marketing. Prior to ATI, He worked at Zimmer Inc. developing hydrogels, bone void fillers, and allografts. At ATI, he has been helping bioscience companies with business plan, strategy, and fund raising. He is passionate about technology commercialization and investing.
Tanya Mack is currently a Masters of Science in Technology Commercialization student at the McCombs Business School. Prior to returning to school, Tanya spent eight years as an Officer in the US Army, working in data analytics, planning and management roles. She also spent time as a consultant for the federal government, working with an agency to streamline and improve their analysis and processes. She graduated from Indiana University with a BA in both Political Science and Criminal Justice. She enjoys working at ATI and learning more about the startup world.
