Sam earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Colorado State University under the direction of Prof. Robert M. Williams. His doctoral thesis was directed to the design and stereocontrolled synthesis of an eight-membered ring precursor to a photo-triggered mitosene. Following graduate school, Sam earned a Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University School of Law and practiced patent law at Kilpatrick Stockton LLP. While practicing at Kilpatrick Stockton, he worked with clients in all aspects of patent prosecution, with an emphasis on chemistry, particularly pharmaceutical products and targets, as well as other small molecules (e.g., dyes, probes and binding agents). Sam also worked in the strategic development of patent portfolios and provided due diligence reviews of targeted companies and technology.
Current role
SVP, Intellectual Property Affairs at Precigen
SVP, Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer at Columbia University
SVP, Intellectual Property & Licensing at Genprex
SVP, Intellectual Property & Legal Affairs at Prime Medicine
SVP, Intellectual Property & Contracts at ILiAD Biotechnologies