Class of 2025 - M.S. in Patent Law

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.

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.

Robin Buell

Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Education: M.S. Biomedical Sciences – University of Massachusetts Medical Center | MBA – Babson College | Biological Sciences B.S. – University of Illinois

I’m excited to combine my background in Biology and Medical Device Product Management with a practical understanding of IP Law. The MS Patent Law degree program will help me gain appreciation for the legal elements of the broader company strategy, as well as protecting IP and sustaining competitive positioning through ethical application of patent law. I look forward to deepening my knowledge of patent law, and helping companies continue to be innovative, knowing that their investments will be protected.

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.

Charlene Proo

Hometown: Lancaster, CA
Education: Chemistry B.S. Astrophysics minor – UC Santa Cruz ‘23 | Math & Science A.A., Arts & Humanities A.A. – Antelope Valley College ‘19

I grew up in LA County as the fourth child and youngest daughter of Mexican Immigrants. My first generation background shapes a big part of who I am and the mindset I bring into everything I do. After graduating with my BS, I worked as a substitute and teacher across multiple districts, in all grade levels, and in the same Title I schools I attended/grew up around. The MS Patent Law degree programs is enriching me with one-of-kind-knowledge in patents and Intellectual Property. The education provided by the MS Patent Law degree program is remarkable. This truly has been the perfect place to learn and develop the skills I need to pursue my passion in science and law so that I can pay-it-forward to my communities.

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.