Meet Our People

SRI's innovative thinking depends directly on the people who work here. Meet members of our team in Computing and Engineering, Chemistry, Physics and Materials, Drug Discovery, Drug Development and Health, Economics and Education, Environment and Energy, Business Development, and Administration and Corporate Activities, and learn why they joined SRI—you may discover that you would like to join the team, too. Visit Careers @ SRI for descriptions of current openings.

Laleh Shayesteh, Director of Intellectual Property (IP), Biosciences, Legal and Business Affairs Department

Title and Department:
Director of Intellectual Property (IP), Biosciences, Legal and Business Affairs Department

Focus @ SRI:
Identifying and protecting IP, and mining it consistent with SRI's business objectives and opportunities

Day in the Life @ SRI:
My days are very varied and, on any given day, may include educating SRI staff about IP, working with scientists regarding their IP, review of invention disclosures, attending business development meetings to understand the environment where an invention may fit, literature searches, filing of an application, interacting with our outside and international counsels, facilitating communications between scientists and outside counsels, and review of and response to communications from various patent offices. I also help with the contracts and licensing activities by reviewing and implementing their IP provisions.

Before SRI:
I worked at Exelixis, first as a research associate, then as a science liaison, and then as a patent agent. Before that, I was at the University of California, San Francisco as a research associate in the Brain Tumor Research Center and Neurological Surgery, and then as a graduate student in the Biophysics Program. Prior to UCSF, I was a research associate in the Genetics Department at Stanford University and a research assistant at the Linus Pauling Institute.

Academics:
Ph.D., Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco
M.S., Cell and Molecular Biology, San Francisco State University
B.S., Biology and Chemistry, California State University, Hayward
Registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Why SRI?
I was astounded by the quality of my peers, the freedom to make a difference, and the positive environment of the group in which I would work. SRI boasts an unusual mix of scientists and entrepreneurs in many different areas, who work on real-world problems, which leaves one constantly exposed to inquisitive minds, learning opportunities, and cross-disciplinary interactions. Where else would one find so much intellectual challenge, pride, drive, dedication, integrity, talent, and passion to work with?

Inspiration and Motivation:
I want to be a positive role model for my daughters, and would like to leave the world knowing that my work improved the quality of a life. To that end, it is a privilege to be part of the brilliant and hard-working SRI machine that impacts all of humankind for the better each and every day.

Away from the Office:
First and foremost, my family and its associated activities, then law school. If further extra time miraculously appears, maintaining relationships with my friends.

Languages:
English and Farsi

Proudest Professional Accomplishment:
I like accomplishments in small doses to keep me humble, and am proud of each one, the accumulation of which has helped me overcome many glass ceilings.

Words of Wisdom for New SRI Team Members:
Find your team and become a loyal member and player. Ask lots of questions, listen, be flexible, and work hard to find solutions. Respect your peers and colleagues. Focus on the tasks that lie ahead, take responsibility, be inventive, and never lose sight of the enormous body of experience and knowledge that precedes and surrounds you.