From Physics to Innovation: Dr. Victoria Cajipe on Translating Research into Real-World Impact
In a recent episode of the Bizzy Scientist podcast, hosted by Dr. Nora Safa and produced by UC San Diego’s Office of Innovation and Commercialization, Dr. Victoria Cajipe shared a rare and inspiring journey—one that bridges fundamental physics research, startup grit, and the dynamic world of academic innovation. Now Associate Director of Technology Licensing for the physical sciences at UC San Diego, Dr. Cajipe reflected on her 16-year tenure at the university, her transition from lab research to commercialization, and how scientists and entrepreneurs can work together to bring transformative ideas to life.
Starting in Science, Evolving into Strategy
With a Ph.D. in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics from the University of Pennsylvania and a postdoctoral career in France’s CNRS, Dr. Cajipe had all the makings of a lifelong academic. But as she recalled, she found herself craving a more direct path from science to societal impact. That pivot came when she joined Nova R&D, a small company in Riverside, California, specializing in radiation detection and digital X-ray imaging.
“I never went to business school,” she laughed, “but I think I learned a lot by being with a small company and actually experiencing everything that needs to get done to get a business off the ground.”
During her eight years at Nova, which included stints as Director of Technology Applications and eventually Vice President, she helped secure both SBIR grants and commercial contracts. The company not only survived the 2008 financial crisis but was acquired—a rare feat for deep-tech startups in such turbulent times.
Building Products—and Confidence—Through Research
At Nova, Dr. Cajipe worked across disciplines and markets: from baggage screening devices and defense technology to pet imaging and even a radiation assessment device aboard the Mars Curiosity rover. “It was like we were the Intel Inside—but for radiation detectors,” she noted.
One major takeaway from her time in industry: the power of early customer engagement. While SBIR funding was critical, it was the ability to tweak core technologies for specific markets—sometimes driven by a single paper or industry inquiry—that enabled real traction.
However, she cautioned, this dual-track approach requires balance. “Startups can get stretched thin between customer promises and internal R&D,” she said. “You have to protect the science, even as you pivot toward market fit.”
The Interdisciplinary Engine of UC San Diego
When Nova was acquired, Dr. Cajipe transitioned to UC San Diego—a move she describes as a perfect match for her scientific and entrepreneurial expertise. Since 2008, she has helped manage intellectual property portfolios across physical sciences, evaluating technologies, advising faculty, and negotiating licensing deals.
One key insight from her UCSD years: innovation at the university thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration. “There’s a lot of cross-fertilization of ideas here,” she explained, pointing to successful partnerships between engineering and medicine, and between basic science and applied tech.
She highlighted innovators like Professor Sadiq Esener, whose background in electrical engineering led to innovations in nanoparticle drug delivery, and Mike Heller, whose engineering expertise enabled breakthroughs in life science instrumentation. These kinds of hybrid discoveries are emblematic of UCSD’s unique innovation ecosystem.
Finding Each Other in a Sea of Ideas
With thousands of faculty and researchers spread across departments, how do productive collaborations form? According to Dr. Cajipe, a major driver is UCSD’s organized research units and themed centers.
Institutes like the Center for Wearable Sensors, the Sustainable Power and Energy Center (SPEC), and the Microbiome Innovation Center provide structured environments for cross-departmental collaboration—and frequently include corporate members. These centers serve not just as research hubs but as connection points between academia and industry.
Similarly, programs like the Institute for the Global Entrepreneur (IGE)—a joint initiative between the Rady School of Management and Jacobs School of Engineering—offer tailored support for startup-minded faculty and students, particularly in areas like medical device acceleration.
From Patent to Product: How Licensing Really Works
Dr. Cajipe discussed the nuanced process of technology licensing at a university. Innovation and Commercialization Managers (ICMs), previously called licensing officers, are tasked with identifying promising inventions, understanding industry trends, and finding suitable commercialization pathways.
While part of the job involves assessing technical merit, a large portion also comes from listening—to researchers, to publications, and to the broader market. Sometimes the best opportunities come from unexpected intersections.
“There are instruments developed for very narrow research applications,” she explained, “that end up having value in completely different sectors. When we make those matches and support those transitions, that’s when tech transfer really works.”
Rebuilding Community Through Feedback
One successful pre-pandemic program Dr. Cajipe would like to revive is the Commercialization Assessment Panel (CAP), where local entrepreneurs, lawyers, and investors were invited to hear short presentations on promising university technologies. These gatherings served multiple purposes: showcasing UCSD innovation, collecting feedback, and forming early networks around potential startups.
“It was our way of getting the community to participate in assessing which technologies had legs,” she said. “And we’d often see those meetings result in meaningful partnerships down the line.”
Supporting Startups: From Evaluation to Acceleration
For faculty and entrepreneurs looking to spin out university IP, Dr. Cajipe explained several licensing mechanisms available:
Evaluation License Agreements allow a company to “test drive” a technology for 6–24 months with minimal cost, while covering ongoing patent expenses. These often include an option to convert into a full commercial license.
Letters of Intent (LOI) serve as placeholders for companies seeking to show investors they have rights to a technology without executing a full license.
Sponsored Research Agreements and SBIR/STTR collaborations allow companies to co-develop technologies with university researchers, often funded by government grants.
Dr. Cajipe noted that companies applying for SBIR/STTR grants should ideally secure licensing rights—or at least a LOI—before submitting. Many granting agencies now require these agreements up front.
Bridging the Valley of Death
While UCSD produces a large volume of novel inventions, many don’t reach commercialization. Bridging that so-called "valley of death" requires community engagement. For listeners—including business students, entrepreneurs, attorneys, or investors—Kahita issued an open invitation:
“We need your help to close that gap,” she said. “If you’re listening and you want to get involved, reach out. Join an assessment panel. Host office hours. Serve as an entrepreneur-in-residence. There are so many ways to contribute.”
The Office of Innovation and Commercialization also hosts frequent events, including Innovation at the Edge and Meet the VC, designed to build bridges between researchers and capital.
Looking Ahead
Dr. Cajipe’s reflections underscore a powerful truth: innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It requires ecosystems, mentors, industry champions, and translational infrastructure.
Whether you’re a student, a startup founder, or an investor, UC San Diego’s model offers a roadmap: build interdisciplinary excellence, create collaborative space, and stay rooted in both the lab and the market.
And if you’re ever unsure where to start, Dr. Cajipe and her team are already there—translating ideas into impact, one license at a time.
