Meet the 2026 Innovation Ambassadors at Boise State

The Office of Technology Transfer is pleased to introduce the new cohort of Innovation Ambassadors, a group of faculty and academic leaders who help their peers move research toward real-world impact.

The Innovation Ambassadors provide guidance on commercialization, intellectual property and next steps for translating research into real-world solutions. They also serve as a bridge between faculty and the Tech Transfer Office, sharing feedback to improve our services and helping identify researchers who may need additional support.

Selected for their leadership and translation expertise, each Ambassador completes a brief orientation and serves a two-year term. They engage in campus innovation events and keep their departmental peers informed about emerging opportunities and resources.

Vanessa Fry

Vanessa Fry, associate research professor, College of Education and Public Service

Vanessa Fry is cofounder of the Idaho Policy Institute and a nationally recognized leader in community-engaged and applied research. She leads interdisciplinary partnerships that help public, private and nonprofit organizations use evidence to make decisions and improve communities.

At Boise State, she serves as Research Faculty Senator, Industry Marketing Fellow for the Division of Research and Economic Development, and a member of the Teaching, Research and Clinical Faculty Advancement Committee. Nationally, she is President of the Association for University Business and Economic Research and Past President of the Consortium of University Public Service Organizations. She is also a National Alliance to End Homelessness Research Network Scholar, a member of the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network, and President of the City Club of Boise.

Vanessa holds bachelor's degrees in Biology and Fine Art from Wittenberg University, an MBA in Sustainable Management from Presidio Graduate School, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Boise State.

Vanessa hopes to broaden how we think about innovation. It can be a new technology, but also a tool, process, dataset, model or approach to a public problem. She is excited to make technology transfer more accessible to researchers who don't traditionally see themselves as part of the innovation ecosystem, and to help build a culture that asks not only "What can we learn?" but "How can what we learn be put to use?"

Jerry Fails

Jerry Fails, professor and chair, Department of Computer Science

For more than 20 years, Jerry Fails's human-computer interaction research has focused on designing technology with and for children using participatory design methods, with an emphasis on technology for social good. His current work spans children's online information-seeking, privacy and fear within family contexts, the impacts of extended reality and AI on children and families. He is active in the international Human Computer Interaction (HCI) community, with leadership roles in ACM SIGCHI and the Interaction Design and Children conference, which he brought to Boise in 2019.

When asked about his new role, he said, "I want Boise State to have a culture of innovation to be more visible across the country, with that recognition opening doors for our graduates and drawing the next generation of students." He is excited to be a bridge for researchers who are doing work that deserves wider attention but may lack the time, resources or platform to tell that story.

Javier Ochoa-Reparaz

Javier Ochoa-Reparaz, professor, Department of Biological Sciences

Javier's research focuses on host-microbial interactions and the mechanisms by which intestinal microbes induce immunomodulation in inflammation. He has a particular interest in central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis. He has extensive experience with infection and autoimmunity models, as well as industry experience as a senior scientist in MS, neuroimmunology, and drug development.

"I believe Boise State's future depends on connecting research to tangible regional and global impact," he said.

He hopes to see more interdisciplinary centers that move faculty and student ideas into market-ready solutions, with stronger alliances in engineering, semiconductors, cybersecurity and sustainable infrastructure, and with local and regional biomedical centers. He also wants continued investment in venture-starting experiences so every Bronco graduates with the skills, resilience, and problem-solving capabilities they need.

Sklyor Lenz

Sklyor Lenz, adjunct instructor, College of Business and Economics

Skylor Lenz brings extensive experience in consumer-packaged goods strategy and analytics. He has managed multi-million-dollar brand portfolios, advised on national product launches, and driven revenue growth for top retail accounts. At Boise State, he teaches Business Intelligence (ITM 310), drawing on his commercial background, competitive improv experience, and interactive teaching methods to help students turn complex data into actionable strategies.

Having taken products from initial insight to store shelves, Skylor has seen great ideas fail for lack of a clear launch strategy or realistic business model. He wants to help researchers build a commercial strategy alongside their technical work, so that academic research consistently becomes viable businesses. In his words, "Helping an early-stage idea take its first steps into the market is the most rewarding part of the process."

Todd Otanicar

Todd Otanicar, associate dean for research and graduate programs, College of Engineering

Todd has published over 60 peer-reviewed journal articles and is the named inventor on eight US patents and 10 issued international patents. His research and commercialization efforts span energy systems, atmospheric water generation, and heat transfer. He is a licensed professional engineer and a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors.

"I hope to see a thriving community of faculty, staff, and students who want to make the next cool thing," he said. He is most excited by the diversity of ideas he has already heard about and by the chance to learn more and help advance them.

Kelley Connor

Kelley Connor, professor and divisional dean, School of Nursing

A Boise State faculty member since 2006, Kelley Connor has maintained a strong passion for technology throughout her career. She began on the team that implemented electronic health records at her hospital, and later developed a passion for educational technology, exploring everything from custom app development to interactive and virtual simulation platforms that enhance student learning. As a leader, she is dedicated to empowering others to cultivate their best ideas.

When asked how this role will make an impact, she said, "I envision an innovation ecosystem that is a vibrant, accessible hub for faculty, staff, and students in every discipline, with transparent pathways and practical resources that guide creators from initial concept to dissemination."

Get in touch

Have a project, invention, or idea you're not sure what to do with? Reach out to an ambassador in your area, or visit the Office of Technology Transfer website.

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