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NASA Glenn official to speak at BGSU BOWLING GREEN,O. -- An expert on translating technical innovations into the consumer market will be the next speaker in the
2003 President's Lecture Series at Bowling Green State University. The theme of this year's series is Technology, Society
and Humanity.
Larry Viterna, chief of the Commercial Technology Office at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, will speak on "From
Science to Innovation to Revolution" at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 10, in 117 Olscamp Hall on the Bowling Green campus.
In his NASA position, Viterna is responsible for transferring and commercializing the technologies produced by the laboratory.
Out of more than 600 federal laboratories, NASA Glenn ranks among the top 10 winners of NASA R & D 100 Awards, which have
been called the "Oscars of invention," for technology commercialization. It has snagged 83 out of the 118 prestigious awards.
The Commercial Technology Office has also recently been recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce as an exemplary model
in the federal government for technology transfer and economic impact.
The office manages the largest Small Business Innovation Research Program in NASA, which provides in excess of $20 million
in venture capital grants each year to small technology businesses. It also operates the LIFT business incubator in Cleveland
that supports startup businesses with links to NASA technology.
Under Viterna's leadership, the office created a unique internal venture fund to support NASA researchers in creating commercial
products and recently, a training program for those who wish to start their own high-technology businesses.
Viterna has more than 25 years of experience in technology development and program management at NASA, including the development
of electrical power systems for the space shuttle, international space station, and alternative power for use on earth. He
is the recipient of the Steven V. Szabo Award, NASA Glenn's highest award for excellence in engineering. He holds bachelor
of science and doctoral degrees in engineering from the University of Michigan and has completed executive training at both
Harvard and Stanford universities.
(Posted April 08, 2003 )
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