Dr. Vathyam returned to the OTT in 2007, having been an intern with OTT earlier in her career. Previously, at the USPTO she examined inventions relating to electrochemistry including biosensors, electrophoresis and microfluidics. For several years, she was the Director of Research and Development at a biotech company where she negotiated contracts and licenses, while developing medical diagnostics and therapeutics. She earned her Ph.D. from The Johns Hopkins University in Biochemistry, where she performed NMR studies on iron containing superoxide dismutase. She received her M.Sc.

Ms. Rucker has over 20 years of experience in intellectual property related matters. Ms. Rucker has worked at the NIH OTT since November of 1991, first as a Patent Advisor and then as a Technology Licensing Specialist (TLS), assuming her position as Senior TLS in September 2005. Prior to joining the Office of Technology Transfer was an examiner at the USPTO for 5 ½ years and was awarded partial signatory authority. Ms. Rucker received her J.D. from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America (May 1992). Ms Rucker is a member of the Maryland Bar (Dec. 1992).