ETSU has named a new director of commercialization to accelerate efforts to translate research discoveries into technologies, startups and industry partnerships.
East Tennessee State University is strengthening its push to move research from the laboratory into the marketplace.
To support that effort, the ETSU Research Corporation has named Dr. Katelyn R. Houston as director of commercialization, a strategic move aimed at translating research discoveries into technologies, startups and industry partnerships.
Connecting research to impact
The Research Corporation serves as the technology transfer and commercialization arm of ETSU, working with faculty researchers to move discoveries into application through licensing, startup formation and industry partnerships.
That work is already taking shape across campus and the region. In recent months, the Research Corporation has:
Secured $5 million in grant funding to support redevelopment at Valleybrook, a sweeping site that includes 144 acres and 72,000 square feet devoted to research.
Hosted the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology for critical dialogue on biomanufacturing and workforce development
Secured $912,000 through the Defense Industrial Base Consortium to bolster domestic biomanufacturing that will advance regional participation in emerging high-tech sectors.
Houston’s role will help move discoveries from promising research to real-world solutions.
David Golden, CEO of the Research Corporation, said Houston’s appointment reflects the university's commitment to expanding research, innovation and industry partnerships at ETSU.
“Great universities generate powerful ideas, but those ideas only matter if they reach the world beyond the campus,” Golden said. “Katie’s experience working at the intersection of science and industry will help us translate research at ETSU into technologies, companies and solutions that improve lives.”
Houston’s work will also intersect with the Tennessee Technology Advancement Consortium (TTAC), a statewide initiative designed to strengthen technology transfer and commercialization across Tennessee’s research institutions. Created through Launch Tennessee, TTAC helps universities build stronger pathways between research labs, industry partners and entrepreneurs.
Dr. Nick Hagemeier, ETSU vice provost for research and chief research officer, said Houston’s appointment comes at a time of remarkable research momentum at the university.
“Katie brings exactly the kind of experience we need as ETSU continues expanding its research and innovation activity,” Hagemeier said. “We are seeing incredible work from faculty across disciplines, and efforts like TTAC are helping ensure those discoveries can reach industry partners and communities where they can make a real difference.”
About Dr. Katie Houston
Houston brings more than a decade of scientific research experience and extensive leadership in innovation strategy, intellectual property development and industry collaboration. She joins the Research Corporation from Eastman Chemical Company, where she held several leadership roles in corporate innovation.
At Eastman, Houston guided intellectual property strategy across multiple business units, led cross-functional R&D initiatives and managed external collaborations with universities, startups and research institutions. Her work focused on emerging technologies, sustainable materials and circular economy solutions — experience that shaped her understanding of how ideas move from laboratory research to commercial products.
Houston earned her Ph.D. in polymer and materials chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. She holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Juniata College, where she graduated summa cum laude.
Want to connect?
Industry partners and entrepreneurs interested in collaborating or exploring commercialization opportunities can easily connect with the ETSU Research Corporation. Learn more at etsurc.org, call (423) 456-5811 or email innovate@etsurc.org.
Explore the ways ETSU researchers are improving the quality of life for the people of the region and beyond at etsu.edu/trailblazers.
