Lauren M. Segal is a Patent Agent at McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert and Berghoff. She holds a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology and Fungal Genetics, and an M.S. in Soil Microbiology. Dr. Segal is interested in all things agri-tech and food-tech. With a background in in agronomy and fungal genetics, she is experienced in handling food tech related to mycoproteins, or alternative proteins. Other areas of expertise include:

• • Biochemistry
  • Cell biology
  • Genetics
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular biology

From startups to large companies, clients look to Dr. Segal for technological advice in support of validity, infringement, and patentability analysis in the biotechnology and medical device and diagnostics areas. Her representative experience includes:

• • Tech transfer at an Ag school
  • Assisting early-stage technologies get licensed out
  • Helping individual inventors plan IP strategy for startups
  • Drafting plant patents for agriculture clients
  • Plant Variety Protection (PVPs)

Prior to joining MBHB, Dr. Segal served as Associate Technology Manager at the University of Illinois-Chicago Office of Technology Management. In this role, she managed all aspects of intellectual property and commercialization for a portfolio of scientific innovations including medicals devices, therapeutics, and diagnostics; guided faculty members and graduate students through the process of commercializing early-stage technologies; and negotiated license agreements with external companies and faculty-led startups. In addition to her work, Dr. Segal enjoys advocating for underserved populations in STEM by speaking on panels and leading workshops. She also serves on Diversity and Inclusion committees.

• G. Li, X. Qi, G. Sun, R.O. Rocha, L.M. Segal, et al. (2019) Terminating Rice Innate Immunity Induction Requires a Network of Antagonistic And Redox-Responsive E3 Ubiquitin Ligases Targeting a Fungal Sirtuin. New Phytologist.
• L.M. Segal. (2018) A Delicate Balancing Act: Genes Governing Redox and Lipid Homeostasis Are Essential to the Biotrophic Growth of the Rice Blast Fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. ETD collection for University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
• L.M. Segal and R.A. Wilson (2017) Reactive Oxygen Species Metabolism and Plant-Fungal Interactions. Fungal Genetics and Biology.
• L.M. Segal. (2014) Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria and Archaea Under Continuous Maize: The Influence of Tillage, N Input and Aggregation on Abundance and Community Composition. ETD collection for University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
• C.L. Casteel, L.M. Segal, O.K. Niziolek, et al. (2013) Elevated Carbon Dioxide Increases Salicylic Acid in Glycine max. Environmental Entomology.