Biography

Rebecca A. Erwin-Cohen, Ph.D., serves as a technology transfer patenting and licensing specialist in NCATS’ Office of Strategic Alliances, where she facilitates the collaborations of NCATS scientists. She drafts, negotiates and executes various agreements, documenting the terms of joint research and development projects that provide for the disposition of various parties’ rights to intellectual property and that permit the interchange of scientific and technical personnel. Erwin-Cohen began her technology transfer career at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in 2017, first with the Technology Transfer Ambassador Program and then as a Tech Transfer Fellow. Prior to working at NCI, she was a bench scientist at the U. S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases in Frederick, Maryland.

Erwin-Cohen earned her Bachelor of Science in biology from Gannon University, a Master of Science in virology and immunology from Hood College, and her Doctor of Philosophy in public health epidemiology from Walden University. She has authored many articles on scientific topics. Although Erwin-Cohen now has left the realm of bench science, her broad scientific experience and her technology transfer work have prepared her to communicate, connect and develop the translational projects that are the lifeblood of NCATS.

Erwin-Cohen continues to mentor students and fellows as they explore career options, and she is active as a consulting editor with the NIH Fellows Editorial Board.

Professional Interests

Erwin-Cohen enjoys the challenge of weaving connections between basic science and the translational application of those innovations through the mechanisms of technology transfer. She is dedicated to fully supporting NCATS’ staff in the fulfillment of the Center’s mission.