About Us
Mississippi State University | MAFES| MSU-ES (Extension Service) | Office of Technology Commercialization
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State University is a comprehensive, doctoral-degree-granting university offering to a diverse and capable student body a wide range of opportunities and challenges for learning and growth; to the world of knowledge, vigorous and expanding contributions in research, discovery, and application; and to the State and its people in every region, a variety of expert services. Mississippi State University is designated as a Doctoral/Extensive institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. It is representative of the American Land-Grant tradition and distinctive in its own character and spirit, born of its Mississippi heritage and the vision and loyal perseverance of those who have labored in its development. Mississippi State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097; telephone (404) 679-4501) to award baccalaureate, master's, specialist, and doctoral degrees.- An able faculty, drawn from the best institutions in all parts of the nation, strive earnestly to demonstrate excellence in teaching, while producing in their specialized studies scholarly books, articles, and conference papers that gain respect for themselves, the University, and the state. Thus they ensure for their students instruction that is in immediate touch with current knowledge and thought. A body of energetic researchers, both faculty and other, assisted by an effective research administration, places Mississippi State among the first one hundred universities in the nation in research and development in the sciences and engineering. The University's service agencies are similarly distinguished, earning the respect and support of their varied constituencies throughout the state, as well as in other states and in foreign countries.
MAFES
With sixteen branch experiment stations and research units located throughout the state, the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) takes great pride in the following research and outreach efforts:
- Agricultural Science Research
With current expenditures nearly $82 million, the National Science Foundation ranks MSU fifth among all institutions for agricultural science research, and second for federally-funded agricultural research expenditures. - Display Garden
The Truck Crops Experiment Station in Crystal Springs is the 2005 All-America Selections Display Garden Exemplary Education Category II award winner. The station has been an All-America trial and display garden since 1990. - Biofuel Production
MAFES is leading the University’s efforts in biofuel production through the Sustainable Energy Center. We are working on fuels derived from soybeans, corn, wood chips, grasses, sewage, and experimental crops. - MAFES Turf
About 80 percent of the university's patent income is from turfgrass patented by MAFES. The Rose Bowl field, the Arizona Diamondbacks field, and several prestigious golf courses are covered with this turf. - Genomics
MAFES scientists are leading the new effort in genomics at Mississippi State. At this point, Mississippi State University is at the cutting edge in this field. - Aquaculture
Channel catfish production, with its associated service industries, contributes more than $2 billion to Mississippi’s economy each year. Its value is expected to increase as per capita consumption of fish continues to grow. MAFES scientists work to make this industry more efficient with the highest quality results. - Farm Production
The value of Mississippi farm production in 2005 was an estimated $6.3 billion, an all-time high for the state. The farm and forestry sector accounts for 27% of the state’s employment opportunities.
- Agricultural Science Research
Mississippi State University Extension Service
The overall purpose of Mississippi State University's Extension Service is education -- education that will empower people to make intelligent decisions relating to their vocations, their families, and their environment. Extension's unique interdisciplinary perspective enables the organization to make a real difference in the lives of Mississippians. - Mississippi State University Extension Service is, and will continue to be, a leader for positive change for individuals, families and communities through the following ways: by providing research and education in a practical and applicable way; by using the latest technology and teaching techniques to serve clients; by developing and using volunteers to help disseminate programs and information; by cooperating with other groups and agencies; and by maintaining a culturally diverse staff responsive to the needs of various audiences at all socio-economic levels.
- We believe that agriculture and its related enterprises are of major economic importance in Mississippi, and we will direct programs and resources to reflect this importance. We also believe that quality of life is affected by the reciprocal relationship between people and their environment and will continue to emphasize environmental issues. We recognize the critical need for human resource development and will continue to search for ways to help families and youth cope with an ever-changing society.
Office of Technology Commercialization
The mission of the Office of Technology Commercialization is to foster an entrepreneurial environment and identify, assess, protect, market, and license intellectual properties developed by Mississippi State University faculty, staff, and students. This mission originates from Public Law 96-517, better known as the Bayh-Dole Act, which stipulates that inventions developed under sponsorship from the federal government and assigned to the university, must be actively transferred to the private sector for the benefit of the general public.- The Commercialization Process starts with the disclosure of new ideas, inventions, software and creative works resulting from research and other scholarly activities. Once the office receives a fully signed disclosure, we initiate the following key steps:
- OFFICE FUNCTIONS
- Evaluate disclosures using the Opportunity Assessment
- Recommend an appropriate strategy for protecting the technology.
- Identify potential licensees and market the invention
- Negotiate license agreements
- Manage patent prosecution and maintenance
- Monitor licenses for compliance with due diligence provisions, etc.
- The office supports Sponsored Programs Administration by reviewing IP terms of research grants, MTAs, IIAs, NDAs, etc. We also comply with the reporting and commercialization requirements which enables the university to take title to inventions developed with Federal support.