Dr. Sum Psusma Tecla is an accomplished scholar, innovation champion, technology transfer specialist, and strategic leader with extensive experience in research management, innovation commercialization, intellectual property development, and stakeholder engagement. As the Director, Research, Technology Transfer and Industry Engagement at SUMCO LIMITED, she leads efforts aimed at transforming research outputs into market-ready innovations while strengthening collaborations between academia, industry, government, and development partners.

Throughout her distinguished career, Dr. Tecla has demonstrated exceptional leadership in promoting innovation-driven development and building sustainable ecosystems that enable researchers and innovators to create meaningful social and economic impact. She has been instrumental in establishing and strengthening innovation support structures, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating pathways for research commercialization.

Currently Dr. Tecla is the Director, in the Directorate of Science Park Innovation and Incubation Center (SPIIC) at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. She is the Founder of MMUST Innovation Academy.

As a respected academic and innovation leader, Dr. Tecla has successfully championed initiatives that bridge the gap between research institutions and industry, ensuring that scientific discoveries and technological innovations translate into practical solutions that address societal and market needs. Her work has contributed significantly to innovation capacity building, startup development, intellectual property awareness, and technology transfer programs.

Notably, Dr. Tecla has played a transformative role in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives, including the establishment and growth of innovation and incubation programs, mentorship platforms, and collaborative networks that connect researchers, innovators, investors, and policymakers.

 Alongside Dr. Collins Otieno Odoyo and Prof. John Kuria Thuo, they have published a book in the Innovation space, titled, "Building Innovation Ecosystems in Higher Education Institutions"

Areas of Expertise

•  Research Management and Coordination
• Technology Transfer and Commercialization
• Intellectual Property (IP) Management
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development
• University-Industry-Government Partnerships
• Research Commercialization Strategies
• Innovation Policy and Ecosystem Development
• Incubation and Acceleration Programs
• Strategic Partnership Development
• Capacity Building and Mentorship
• Grant Development and Resource Mobilization
• Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Leadership

What She Brings to SUMCO LIMITED

 At SUMCO LIMITED, Dr. Tecla brings visionary leadership, extensive innovation ecosystem experience, and a deep understanding of how to transform research and innovation into sustainable business and societal value.

 Her contribution includes:

• Bridging Research and Industry – Creating strategic linkages that enable researchers and institutions to collaborate effectively with industry partners and investors.
• Driving Technology Commercialization – Supporting the conversion of research outputs, inventions, and technologies into viable products, services, and enterprises.
• Strengthening Intellectual Property Management – Guiding innovators and researchers in protecting, managing, and leveraging intellectual property assets for competitive advantage and value creation.
• Building High-Impact Partnerships – Facilitating collaborations among universities, industry, government agencies, development organizations, and innovation ecosystems.
• Promoting Innovation-Led Economic Growth – Developing frameworks that accelerate the adoption of innovations and technologies that address market and societal challenges.
• Supporting Research Translation and Impact – Ensuring that research outcomes move beyond publications to generate measurable economic, environmental, and social benefits.
• Enhancing Innovation Capacity – Mentoring researchers, innovators, startups, and institutions on commercialization pathways, innovation management, and entrepreneurial thinking.

Vision

"Research achieves its highest value when it is translated into solutions that improve lives, strengthen industries, and drive sustainable development. My vision is to create strong and enduring partnerships that accelerate innovation, commercialization, and societal impact."

At SUMCO LIMITED, Dr. Sum Psusma Tecla is committed to fostering a dynamic innovation ecosystem where research, technology, industry, and policy converge to create transformative solutions, unlock economic opportunities, and contribute to sustainable development at local, regional, and global levels.