Lizette Fernandez, Ph.D.
Patent Agent
404-645-7706
lfernandez@m2IPlaw.com
Dr. Lizette Fernandez helps companies, universities and research institutions devise and implement strategies that maximize the value of their patent portfolios. Her extensive scientific background and business acumen allow her to integrate seamlessly with clients’ technical and executive teams to create sound and practical solutions for growth, organizational development and eventual exit strategies. Whether preparing for funding, seeking market opportunities or analyzing the competitive landscape, firm clients benefit from Lizette’s ability to understand science and its intersection with the patent process. She places a high priority on collaborative education and communication tactics that contribute to effective and long-lasting client relationships.
Trained as a molecular biologist, Dr. Fernandez has extensive experience working with technologies related to transgenics, antibodies, antivirals, anti-infectives, gene regulation, cell signaling, receptors and diagnostics. She draws on her years of experience as a patent agent with Needle & Rosenberg as well as her most recent post as Chief Intellectual Property Officer at Zirus, where she managed the company’s patent portfolio and was involved in licensing and competitive intelligence functions.
Throughout her doctoral studies, Dr. Fernandez was funded by the National Institutes of Health to perform research in molecular endocrinology. Upon completion of her Ph.D., she conducted postdoctoral research and obtained a Masters of Business Administration degree. Lizette is fluent in Spanish and is an accomplished tennis player.
Publications
C. Brooks, L.M. Fernández and A. Ergul (2000) “Secretion of Endothelin Converting Enzyme-1A: the Hydrophobic Signal Anchor Domain Alone Is Not Sufficient to Promote Membrane Localization,” Mol. Cell. Biochem, 208, 45-51.
L.M. Fernández and D. Puett (1997) “Evidence for an Important Functional Role of Intracellular Loop II of the Lutropin Receptor,” Mol. Cell. Endocrinology, 128, 161-169.
L.M. Fernández and D. Puett (1996) “Lys583 in the Third Extracellular Loop of the Lutropin/ Choriogonadotropin Receptor is Critical for Signaling,” J. Biol. Chem. 271, 925-930.
L.M. Fernández and D. Puett (1996) “Identification of Amino Acid Residues in Transmembrane Helices VI and VII of the Lutropin/Choriogonadotropin Receptor Involved in Signaling,” Biochemistry 35, 3986-3993.
D. Puett, N. Bhowmick, L.M. Fernández, J. Huang, C. Wu. P Narayan (1996) “hCG-receptor binding and transmembrane signaling,” Mol. Cell. Endocrinology, 125, 55-64.
S.A. Stein, E.L. Oates, C.R. Hall, R.M. Grumbles, L.M. Fernández, N.A. Taylor, D. Puett, and S.K. Jin (1994) “Identification of a Point Mutation In The Thyrotropin Receptor of the hyt/hyt Hypothyroid Mouse,” Mol. Endocrinology 8, 129-138.
H. Xia. L.M. Fernández, and D. Puett (1993) “Replacement of the Invariant Tyrosine in the CAGY Region of the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ß Subunit,” Mol. Cell. Endocrinology 92, R1-R5.
L.M. Fernández and D. Puett (June 1994) “Identification of Amino Acid Residues in the C-Terminal Region of the LH/CG Receptor Involved in Signaling,” Abstracts of the 76th Endocrine Society Meeting, abstract no. 973, p. 444, Anaheim.
L.M. Fernández and D. Puett (May 1994) “Mutagenesis of Transmembrane and Intracellular Loop Amino Acid Residues of the Lutropin Receptor,” Late-Breaking Abstracts of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, p. LB70, Washington, D.C.
L.M. Fernández and D. Puett (March 1993) “Mutagenesis of the LH/CG Receptor,” Abstracts of the Serono Symposium on Glycoprotein Hormones: Structure, Function and Clinical Implications, abstract no. 19, p. 36, Santa Barbara.
H. Xia, L.M. Fernández, and D. Puett (1992) “The Role of Conserved Tyr-37 of Human Choriogonadotropin ß Subunit Assembly and Receptor Binding,” FASEB J. 6, A209, abstract no. 1199.
Technologies
Biotechnology
Education
B.S. University of Miami
Ph.D. University of Miami
M.B.A. Florida International University