Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day during R&E Week showcases the many pathways that transform university research into real-world impact. The day features a keynote address by Anna Topol, who will share insights from leading innovation in industry and entrepreneurship in From Enterprise to Entrepreneur: Lessons in Turning Research into Impact. Attendees will also participate in a workshop on crafting compelling research narratives led by Anne Marie Chaker, a lively lunchtime game show that builds awareness of research compliance, an interactive reverse pitch session where industry professionals present real-world challenges to researchers, and  RISE Demo Day, where startup teams showcase their commercialization progress and compete before a panel of judges. 

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. — Welcome and Opening Remarks

Havidán Rodríguez - President, University at Albany, State University of New York

Thenkurussi (Kesh) Kesavadas - Vice President for Research & Economic Development, University at Albany, State University of New York

Keynote: From Enterprise to Entrepreneur: Lessons in Turning Research into Impact | Presented By Anna Topol - Class of '97 and '01

If you could pursue your next chapter risk-free for one year, what choices would you make?

After a career leading innovation within a global technology company, Anna Topol reached a pivotal decision: retire, repeat what she had already accomplished, or take the risk of building something new. Drawing on her transition from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship—and her experience navigating change across industry and academia—she will explore how our relationship with risk, uncertainty, and long-remembered advice evolves at moments of reinvention.

Anna will also examine the freedom that comes from collaborating beyond traditional roles, disciplines, and expectations. Through the lens of quantum technology—an inherently interdisciplinary field with the potential to broaden access to powerful new capabilities—she will share how researchers, leaders, and entrepreneurs can work across boundaries to move discoveries out of the lab and create meaningful societal impact.

Anna W. Topol is the CEO of QLITHIC, a quantum technology startup. She is a former CTO at IBM Research. During her 25 years at IBM, she was named IBM Distinguished Engineer and Master Inventor and held executive roles in strategic partnerships and industry initiatives, and lead roles in intellectual property management, R&D and fundamental technology development programs. Dr. Topol has 30 years of experience in both technical and business development positions and authored over 100 Publications, 3 Book Chapters, 96 Patents. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and serves on the Industry Advisory Board (IAB) for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). She is a technical vitality coach, mother of 2 sons and skydived despite fear of heights. Read about Anna in UAlbany Magazine! 

10:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. — From Idea to Impact: Storytelling and Messaging for Innovators

Presented by Anne Marie Chaker

Great innovations do not speak for themselves—the ability to communicate a compelling story can determine whether or not  you attract collaborators, customers, investors, media attention, or create broader impact. In this interactive session, Anne Marie Chaker will help researchers and aspiring entrepreneurs translate complex ideas into clear, memorable narratives that strengthen messaging, build thought leadership, and inspire audiences to take action.

Anne Marie Chaker is the author of LIFT: How Women Can Reclaim Their Physical Power and Transform Their Lives (Penguin Random House) and the host of LIFT podcast on SiriusXM. She spent 27 years as a reporter at The Wall Street Journal and was part of the Pulitzer Prize-Winning team that covered 9/11. Today, Anne Marie runs LIFT Enterprises, helping founders, CEOs, and organizations sharpen their narratives, build visibility, and communicate more effectively with investors, customers, employees, and the media. 

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 a.m. — Lunch & Research IQ Challenge

Research IQ Challenge: Test your knowledge in a fast-paced, interactive game that challenges researchers on the essentials of University technology transfer and research compliance. Compete against your colleagues while learning how to navigate real-world topics such as intellectual property, conflicts of interest, research agreements, disclosures, and compliance requirements.

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. — Reverse Pitch with Industry

Industry partners will present real-world problems and unmet challenges to UAlbany researchers, kicking off a race to develop new and innovative solutions. From that moment, teams are on the clock for either 15 or 30 days to work directly with industry partners, with researchers — or members of their research teams — expected to actively engage throughout the challenge and must be present during the kickoff event to be eligible. A successful solution could open the door to grant opportunities, joint research, and other commercialization efforts. UAlbany researchers, faculty, and students (undergraduate, graduate, and post docs) are strongly encouraged to attend and create interdisciplinary teams heading into the event.
 
Come hear pitches from two regional partners with a global presence:
 
- AngioDynamics is a medical technology company that designs, manufactures, and sells minimally invasive devices for vascular interventions, peripheral vascular disease, and oncology.
 
- The 109th Airlift Wing is a unit of the New York Air National Guard based at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia. The wing provides crucial transport for the National Science Foundation's research programs in the Arctic and Antarctic and operates the LC-130H Hercules "Skibird," the only ski-equipped tactical aircraft in the U.S. military capable of landing on snow and ice. The 109th is also the only unit in the world to fly these specialized wheel-ski aircraft.
 
Researchers, labs, and students from all health-related disciplines are strongly encouraged to attend in addition to disciplines focused on nanotechnology, engineering, and artificial intelligence.
 
What are the challenges? See you at ETEC at 1 p.m. to find out.   

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. — RISE Demo Day

RISE Demo Day is the culminating event of UAlbany's Research & Innovators Startup Exchange (RISE), where research teams present the commercial potential of their innovations after completing an intensive customer discovery and venture development program. Attendees will gain an early look at emerging technologies, hear how teams validated market opportunities, and connect with the researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry partners helping move innovation toward real-world impact.

6:30-7:30 p.m. — Closing Remarks & Reception