Kristen Mittelman is the Chief Development Officer of Othram Inc., a biometrics company using DNA sequencing and genomics to advance human identification. Dr. Mittelman received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Baylor College of Medicine where her research focused on developing assays to study the processes of genetic mutation and repair of such mutations in neurons. Dr. Mittelman has always been passionate about new and emerging technologies and joined two global-tier one firms to advise clients on intellectual property issues in the fields of energy, alternative energy, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, and medical technology by drafting patent applications, responses and other filings for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. She regularly advised inventors and corporations on conflicts of interest, intellectual property protection, freedom to operate and infringement opinions, and many other issues relating to research and development protocols. In 2013, Dr. Mittelman continued her pursuit of advancing innovation by joining Office of Sponsored Programs at Virginia Tech as the Director of their Grants and Contracts. There, she facilitated sponsor engagement and outreach between university departments, researchers, the office of research compliance and multiple internal and external research centers. She developed a new Industrial Affiliate Program that grew to over 100 members in less than one year. Dr. Mittelman served as the primary liaison to government and industry sponsors in the National Capital Region managing hundreds of millions in research funding. In 2021, Dr. Mittelman joined Othram to help bridge their life-changing technologies with the appropriate Federal, State and private funding opportunities in order to more quickly create a safer and more just world for all of us. As part of her role, she focuses on education and outreach programs, fundraising efforts and public relations.