Guest blog post by Mojdeh Bahar, Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services, National Institute of Standards and Technology

I find intersections interesting—full of possibilities. They bring seemingly disparate things, concepts, people together and provide a common point. They allow more than one path and give us permission to explore. The point of intersection allows us to find commonalities, to start a conversation, a meeting, a negotiation.

What do intersections have to do with my career path? 

I have always been interested in different disciplines. In college, I loved science yet enjoyed analyzing literary texts, finding precise words to describe concepts, and learning foreign languages. I graduated with a double major in chemistry and French from Dickinson College After graduate school at New York University, I went to the University of Maryland School of Law. By that time, I had learned a bit more about myself and knew that I was more interested in intersections of disciplines generally, and, more specifically, the intersection of law and science.

Studying health law and patent law provided me an opportunity to explore this intersection further, and I was exhilarated! I took the patent bar exam — as practicing patent law requires that one take the general bar exam as well as a specific patent bar exam — and became a patent attorney. After honing my patent prosecution skills at the Commerce Department’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), I wanted to learn about legal transactions based on patents and this led me to work in technology transfer at NIH, USDA and  the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), also a part of the U.S. Commerce Department.

Technology transfer is the dissemination of research results in forms of publications, datasets and patents from a research enterprise to a greater audience. I have since had the opportunity to lead technology transfer professionals in many scientific disciplines: chemistry, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, plants, agricultural innovations, and now emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum. 

Like patent law, technology transfer is multidisciplinary by nature as it sits at the intersection of business, law and science. It enables the adoption of scientific research outcomes and plays a vital role in the innovation ecosystem.

Looking at innovation as a continuum, basic research is the start of the process, followed by obtaining intellectual property protection (patents, copyright or trademarks) and then technology transfer — publishing, licensing or selling the invention to one or more entities for further development or commercialization of a final product. 

My career path seems to have followed the innovation continuum. In my current role, I have the privilege of leading two manufacturing programs—Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which serves small to medium-sized manufacturers, and the Office of Advanced Manufacturing, which advances manufacturing by connecting people, ideas, and technology. I also oversee the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, which oversees the Nation’s only Presidential award for performance excellence. Each of these programs sets out to build communities around innovation, manufacturing and organizational excellence. They are either public-private partnerships by their very nature or strive to build public-private partnerships, yet, each is unique in many ways. Again, I find myself at an intersection — that of extramural programs and intramural research.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to lead people. As a leader, I find myself at the point of intersection of technical skills and soft skills. This particular intersection has offered me growth opportunities and immense personal satisfaction. I have had the pleasure of serving as a mentor at work, in innovation competitions, to first-year law students, to postdoctoral students and early career tech transfer professionals.  I have been truly blessed with talented teams at NIH, USDA, and NIST who have taught me what it means to be a true public servant and to care about the greater good. I have also had the privilege to witness the career progression of a younger generation of women, and to serve as a mentor to some.  Their determination, dedication, hard work and vision inspire hope for a better tomorrow.

In my professional journey, every interaction, every person, every project has provided a learning opportunity, some uplifting and some disheartening. I have been fortunate to cross paths with many who have taught me and helped me along the way. In intersecting paths with other women, I hope to serve as a sounding board, listener, supporter, and mentor. I hope our paths intersect!

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of women at the Department of Commerce in honor of Women's History Month.