Karla Melendez, Ph.D.
Associate Project Manager
Edelstone Center
6030 S. Ellis Avenue, 2S
Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: 773-702-8696
Fax: 773-702-0741
kmelendez@tech.uchicago.edu
Karla Melendez became an Associate Project Manager for UChicagoTech in December 2008. Her responsibilities include working with the Project Managers at UChicagoTech to evaluate, market, and license technologies at the University of Chicago.
Before coming to Chicago, Karla co-founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of the Illini Biotechnology Organization (IBO) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 2007 to 2008. As CEO, Karla developed strategic partnerships and initiatives to fulfill the IBO’s mission of bridging the gap between academia and industry. Under her leadership, Karla recruited an Advisory Board and developed an active membership base, focused on networking and professional development.
In 2007, Karla also served on the Business Development team at Mimosa Acoustics, a medical devices start-up based in Champaign. Additionally in 2007, she served as a consultant for the Illinois Business Consulting firm in Urbana-Champaign.
Karla holds a B.S. in Neuroscience from Tulane University and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana and enjoys acoustic open mic nights.