UW-River Falls Students O'Leary and Sorge Named to Pilot WiSys Ambassador Program

December 22, 2014--University of Wisconsin-River Falls students Rachel O'Leary and Erin Sorge are two of four University of Wisconsin System students named to the pilot WiSys Ambassador Program. O'Leary of Janesville and Sorge of Baraboo were recognized along with two student ambassadors from UW-Parkside at a reception in Madison earlier this month.  

The WiSys Technology Foundation works hand-in-hand with the 11 University of Wisconsin comprehensive four-year institutions to support research and technology development, to link campus innovators with industry leaders, and to speed technology transfer through patent and licensing activities. The WiSys Ambassador Program aims to enhance the vital connection between WiSys and the research community on UW System campuses.  

O'Leary and Sorge are dairy science majors with extensive undergraduate research and field experience. They will spend 5-10 hours per month enhancing the understanding and awareness of WiSys' role across the campus, increasing engagement with academics and students undertaking innovative research, and helping to identify potential opportunities where WiSys can provide support. WiSys Ambassadors receive training in intellectual property as well as the technology transfer process, and learn how to access resources offered by WiSys and other campus organizations designed to support technology development and entrepreneurial activity.

"As an active research assistant on campus, I am excited about the opportunity to see projects my colleagues and I work on transform into products," said O'Leary. "I am particularly interested in helping WiSys become more proactive in identifying research and potential inventions." 

UW-River Falls and UW-Parkside are serving as the home of the pilot program. The program will be rolled out to each of the other comprehensive institutions in 2015. 

For more information on the WiSys Ambassador Program, visit https://www.wisys.org/about. For questions, contact Lissa Schneider-Rebozo, UW-River Falls Undergraduate Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity director, at 715-425-3902 or elizabeth.schneider-rebozo@uwrf.edu. 

Photo:  WiSys Ambassadors Erin Sorge, left, and Rachel O'Leary, right, met with UW System Regent Tim Higgins earlier this month.