Class of 2024 - M.S. in Patent Law

Devany Rindy

Hometown: Eau Claire, WI
Education: Conservation Biology B.S. - UW- Madison

I am drawn to patent law because of the intersection of science and policy within the field. I'm particularly interested in innovations pertaining to biotechnology and sustainable infrastructure. Outside of class, I enjoy sharing my passion for holistic health and wellness as a Pilates instructor.

Jonas Mellang

Hometown: Farmington, MN
Education: Biochemistry B.S, Chemistry B.A. - UMN-Duluth

Through working in a research lab at UMD, I had the opportunity to directly engage with pharmaceutical research and innovation. This experience sparked my curiosity about the role of intellectual property within research. The Master of Science in Patent Law degree program presents me with the chance to pursue a career that remains closely linked to scientific research while also allowing me to work outside of the traditional laboratory setting.

Nam Nguyen

Hometown: Plymouth, MN
Education: Biochemistry B.S, Chemistry B.A. - UMN-Duluth

As an undergrad I gained valuable STEM knowledge and worked in the healthcare industry as a CPHT Pharmacy Tech. I wanted to switch paces and utilize the skills and knowledge I had obtained in a different manner. This is where I discovered the M.S Patent Law program. I can utilize my undergrad skills alongside the skills obtained from the M.S Patent Law program to effectively communicate with and protect others' innovations and intellectual property as well as inspire a new generation of inventors.

Talia Dalzel

Hometown: Horace, ND
Education: Biology B.A. - Concordia College - Moorhead

I chose the Master of Science in Patent Law degree program to gain knowledge in the field of patent law and patent prosecution. The Master of Science in Patent Law degree program will help me to bring a unique perspective to scientific research and allows me to pursue opportunities in all aspects of scientific innovation.

Sai Pavan Nannapaneni

Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Education: Chemistry M.S. - UMN-Twin Cities, MSc by Research- Chemistry - University of York

The M.S.P.L program is the perfect program that helps me combine my passion for the law and my love for science and technology. It provides me the ideal platform to pursue a legal career and leverage my STEM knowledge and background. I am really excited about this unique program, that is tailored to suit your needs, and look forward to continued learning.

Rituparna Nayak

Home Country: India
Education: M.S and B.S in Biology - IISER, India

I am Rituparna Nayak, who has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Biology, as well as a Minor in Data Science from IISER, India. As a graduate student, my thesis project was one of the best completed that year, and it could potentially lead to more discoveries if pursued. However, I wanted a career change and enrolled in the Master of Science in Patent Law degree program. Apart from academics, I involve myself in dancing, cooking, interior designing, and many more. I pick on hobbies as fast as a lightning bolt!

The ability to push yourself beyond your limits is what I have learned from dancing since the age of five. This belief carries over into every aspect of my life and thus led me to join the Master of Science in Patent Law degree family.

Ola Ayaso

Hometown: Damascus, Syria
Education: Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, S.M. Electrical Engineering, B.E Electrical Engineering

I majored in electrical engineering as an undergraduate at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and continued in the same field as a graduate student at MIT. After a post-doctoral fellowship at Georgia Tech, I took a break to dedicate myself to raising my four kids. I joined the Master of Science in Patent Law degree program to gain the legal expertise that will prepare me for a career at the intersection of technology and law.

Keith Williams

Hometown: Oxford, MI (Metro Detroit)
Education: B.Sc. Molecular Biology & Biotechnology - University of Michigan-Flint, Ph.D. Plant Breeding & Genetics - Cornell

I grew up between urban Detroit and rural countryside, being drawn to both nature and industry. I followed my interest through education and work, obtaining my doctorate in applied plant genetics and working in seed & food with established international companies, start-ups, non-profits and universities. As a mid-career professional wanting to pivot into law and intellectual property issues in our food system, the Master of Science in Patent Law degree program is a perfect complement to my technical background that will allow me to work more directly in helping people access seed and strengthen their businesses.

Matthew Hakanson

Hometown: Woodbury, MN
Education: B.Comp.E. Computer Engineering - UMN-Twin Cities

I'm currently working as a Computer Engineer in the Aerospace Industry. I have been fascinated by inventions and patents since I was a kid. In my field, I will be creating inventions and the Master of Science in Patent Law degree program will have granted me the knowledge and skill to write the patents for those inventions.

Ross Brink

Hometown: Cold Spring, MN
Education: Chemistry M.S. – UMN-Duluth, Chemistry B.S.-St. Cloud State University

I grew up working on farms in a small town, and seeing all the clever ways farmers used chemistry to solve all kinds of problems really ignited my passion for the subject. After High School I went and earned two degrees in the subject to get a real sense of the range of applications.
Now I’m starting this Patent Law program where it’s letting me transform my pragmatism and robust thermodynamics background to (hopefully) serve a broad spectrum of inventors & keep seeing the new ways chemistry is being used to solve problems.