Ashley Bland

About Ashley Bland

Growing up in Missouri, I\'ve always had a knack for asking questions, embracing innovative thinking, and dedicating myself to the hard work and research needed to achieve my goals. My true passion has always been using my technical knowledge and insatiable curiosity to make a positive impact on the communities around me.Throughout my college journey at Wichita State University, this passion has only grown stronger. I\'ve relentlessly pursued opportunities for interdisciplinary work that addresses the pressing needs of my community. One example of this commitment was my involvement at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.At that critical time, I was chosen as one of nine students to assist in establishing and designing WSU\'s Molecular Diagnostics Lab, which became the sole high-volume testing center in the region. Through our collective efforts, characterized by open dialogue, diverse perspectives, and a constant exchange of feedback and ideas, we not only succeeded in bringing the lab to its full capacity but also ensured that testing results were delivered within 24 hours, offering up to 4,500 COVID-19 tests daily, all at no cost to our patients.My journey didn\'t stop there. Simultaneously, I held various extracurricular roles, such as Spirit-Strong First-Generation Peer Mentor, President and Secretary of WSU\'s Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, and involvement in three interdisciplinary undergraduate research projects - one of which related to supercapacitors under the direction of the National Science Foundation. In another, I was responsible for leading a team of student researchers through FDA related studies. Finally, I helped the research team at MDL create a single-swab method to test for RSV, Influenza, and Covid-19, after noticing the need for one on a busy day of collecting samples at the peak of the pandemic.After spending two impactful years at MDL, I transitioned to WSU\'s Office of Tech Transfer and Commercialization, where I took on the role of senior patent analyst. In this position, I\'ve had the privilege of bridging the gap between the cutting-edge research at WSU and their applications in industry by translating complex Research and Development language into formal patent applications, detailed drawings, and convincing prosecution responses.As I approach my graduation in December 2023, I am eagerly looking forward to securing a full-time role that will allow me to harness my interdisciplinary skills to advance technology for the betterment of my community and enhance the quality of life for every individual.

Experience

1. Patent Agent

   Menlo Park Patents

   Apr 2024 — Present

Education

• Wichita State University

  Minor

  2021 — 2023

• The University of Kansas

  Master of Science - MS

  2024 — 2026

• Wichita State University

  Bachelor of Science - BS

  2019 — 2023