MinerAlert
MinerAlert
Michael Dalby
Assistant Vice President
medalby@utep.edu
(915) 747-6717
Kelly Hall, Rm. 216
Biography
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldalby/
Our mission is to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth by connecting the expertise and resources of UTEP with industry partners, entrepreneurs, and the community. We serve as a bridge between academia and industry, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and technology from the university to the marketplace. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative initiatives, we empower faculty, students, and staff to transform their ideas into successful ventures that drive economic development and societal impact.
Mr. Dalby comes to UTEP with more than twenty-five years of career experience in economic development. He has successfully helped a variety of business enterprises scale up and respond to growth challenges and his prior clients and collaborators include defense contractors, manufacturers, transportation and logistics firms, information technology enterprises, as well as business and personal services companies. Mr. Dalby led efforts to gain federal and state funding for multiple economic development projects, including military facilities, community infrastructure, workforce training centers, and career and technical education funding. He has also served as an intelligence officer and as a USAF Academy instructor. Mr. Dalby is a native of Stephenville, Texas, and is a graduate of the USAF Academy. He has an MA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Jacob Croft
Director
jrcroft@utep.edu
(915) 747-7820
Kelly Hall, Rm. 213A
Biography
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jrc02/
UTEP’s Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC) manages UTEP’s intellectual property and facilitates the marketing and licensing of technologies to industry and start-ups. OTC’s webpage contains information on all UTEP developed technologies available to your business, as well as resources and instructions on how to license our technologies. Our technologies can be transformed into commercial products that can assist your business in reaching its goals.
Jacob R. Croft has been selected as the Director of Licensing and Commercialization within UTEP’s Research & Innovation and will work to expand licensing and commercialization of patents achieved at the University. Prior to his appointment at UTEP Jacob Croft worked as a grant management specialist for William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Research associate at Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso and an aerospace medical technician for the United States Air force. During his time as a researcher at Texas Tech University Health Science Center El Paso and William Beaumont, Jacob focused on biomarkers for Cerebral Cavernous Malformations before shifting his focus to interruptions of metabolic processes causing delayed recover in military personnel.Jacob received his Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Arizona State University. He also earned a Master of Science in Biology from New Mexico State University where his research was focused on the effects of macroparasites on Rainbow Trout.Jacob Croft is married to Cassandra Croft, and they have been in the El Paso area since 2021.
Nicole Aguilar, MBA
Director
inaguilar2@utep.edu
(915) 747-5971
Prospect Hall, Rm. 316
Biography
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole8282/
The MLCIC serves as your comprehensive resource hub for entrepreneurship activities, programs, and education. Our center is dedicated to three primary avenues: Fostering Innovation and entrepreneurial mindset, supporting UTEP faculty and students in entrepreneurship education and the creation of ventures, and contributing to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. We offer a range of services aimed at empowering individuals in their entrepreneurial pursuits. These include providing entrepreneurship education, organizing entrepreneurship competitions, and offering guidance and mentorship to UTEP students, faculty, and staff.
Nicole Aguilar is celebrating 18 years as a higher education professional. Her newest role brought her back to The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) after a short stint away as the Director of the Mike Loya Center for Innovation and Commerce. Previously at UTEP, Nicole served in various capacities focusing on student engagement and retention, leadership, campus traditions, and more. On a university-wide level, she was involved in developing the UTEP Edge, First-Gen student initiatives, faculty and staff leadership development, on-campus student employment, the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC), and many more. Nicole is a native El Pasoan and proud UTEP alum having earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees here. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University and looks forward to graduating in spring 2025. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and family, dancing, and singing. Despite her fear of heights, Nicole hopes to go zip lining one day
To be Announced
medalby@utep.edu
(915) 747-6717
The Economic Development Office helps industry leaders navigate UTEP, find collaborative projects of interest, and arrange visits . For university faculty and staff, the center serves as their industry gateway to create or scale their programs , students, and partnerships . The center proactively seeks new relationships that can boost the e conomic landscape of the university with the Borderplex region.