RAE HUNTER

Dr. Rae Hunter is currently a technical specialist at the IP law firm, Finnegan. Her extensive cancer research training informs her work on prosecution matters in the biological space. Prior to joining Finnegan, she completed her doctoral studies at Emory University, where characterized an immunotherapeutic that can overcome immune exhaustion induced by pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Throughout graduate school, Rae pursued opportunities to learn about technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and life sciences innovation. She interned at the Office of Technology Transfer, creating initial commercialization evaluation reports for technologies. In an entrepreneurship course, she led a team of other graduate students to develop an innovative STEM initiative designed to teach children K-12 product development. This led to her development of her own nonprofit, The Hunter Institute, focused on increasing diversity in STEM, which was awarded a microgrant through The Hatchery at Emory University.

Passionate about science education, Rae taught as a lab professor for the Department of Biology at Emory, where she implemented innovative curriculum for increasing student engagement for non-science majors with her colleagues. She also previously taught middle school physical science as a 2011 Teach for America Corps member.

Deeply rooted in values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), Rae has advocated for DEI throughout her educational and life’s trajectory, both at the university level and in the greater Atlanta community. She served as a student co-founder of the DEI committee for her doctoral program and engaged in diversity-focused initiatives and organizations, the Black Graduate Student Association, Latinx Graduate Student Association, and Emory Diversifying Graduate Education (EDGE). Rae’s DEI endeavors earned her the inaugural Laney Graduate School Student Award for Inclusive Excellence in the Natural Sciences at Emory University.

In her free time, Rae enjoys painting pottery and journaling. She is also invested in mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Job Profile/Responsibilities

• Manage international patent portfolios (over 50 case matters) for biopharmaceutical companies with a collaborative team of attorneys and professional support staff.
• Develop patent strategy, draft, and review patent applications and office action responses for multiple patent portfolios based on client needs.
• Contribute to projects involving IP due diligence, licensing, client acquisition, technology assessments, and ANDA litigation.

Education

Emory University 

Ph.D., Biological and Biomedical Sciences, 2022 

Georgia State University 

M.S., Biology, 2016 

Georgia State University 

M.A.T., Secondary Science Education, 2014  

Georgia State University 

B.S., Psychology, magna cum laude, 2008 

Awards/Recognitions

• Inaugural Recipient, Laney Graduate School Student Award for Inclusive Excellence in the Natural Sciences, Emory University, 2022
• Recipient, Trainee Abstract Award, American Association of Immunologists, 2021
• Recipient, Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship, 2020

Advice for students

If you are unsure which career field will be best for you, focus on gaining practical experience through opportunities such as internships, and network to expand connections with individuals from different career fields to learn more. You are also not bound to one career trajectory for the rest of your life. You can always pivot. Patience, consistency, and persistence are key.

Contact Information

rae.hunter@finnegan.com

www.linkedin.com/in/raehunterphd