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Managing a technology transfer office

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Managing a technology transfer office

Submitted by Efua Halm
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Europe/Zurich
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Dr. Jean-Marie Le Goff is a senior physicist and computer scientist that focuses on applying advanced IT techniques and concepts to Particle Physics. In particular, he worked on extending the concepts of Unified Modelling Language (UML) layers with a description-driven layer for classes and objects which led to the development of a software (C.R.I.S.T.A.L.) dedicated to the tracking and assembly of large and complex detectors at CERN. This versatile software found applications in industry as Enterprise Resource Programming (ERP) software and Business Process Management (BPM), and in accounting and finance. In 2001, he was asked by the Director General of the Organization to make use of the expertise gained during this transfer process to set up and lead a Technology Transfer unit with a view to disseminating technology and innovation developed at CERN in the framework of the physics programme to industry. Medipix, Crystal Clear Collaboration, the Ultra Compact Super Conductive Cyclotron for PET isotope productions are among the main achievements of the Tech Transfer unit during his mandate. He held this position until the end of 2008. In 2005, he launched HEPTech, a network whose objective is to enhance technology and knowledge transfer from fundamental research in physics to society. HEPTech is composed of institutions active in particle, astroparticle, nuclear physics and photonics or represented by their Technology and Knowledge Transfer Office respectively. He chaired this network until the end of 2018.

He is currently leading the Collaboration Spotting (CS) software project that uses information retrieval, graphs, and semantic and structural data abstraction techniques to assist individuals in creating knowledge out of big data. CS enhances the cognitive insight of humans into the understanding of the data retrieved from search queries using visual analytics: the science of analytical reasoning supported by interactive visual interfaces that combines the power of visual perception with high performance computing. The software is now open source and is currently being used to build various demonstrators including for public procurement intelligence, in bibliometric studies with publication and patent information, philanthropy, pharmaco-analytics and neurosciences. The software could potentially have tremendous impact on WIPO and TISCs in their capability of enhancing insight into the patent landscape. Dr. Jean-Marie Le Goff holds a PhD in experimental particle physics and a DPhil in Computer Science. From 06/2003 – 06/2009, he was Visiting Professor at the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.