Staff Directory

Director, Startup OU
Email: daytenisrael@ou.edu
LinkedIn: Dayten Israel
Office: Room 122

As Startup OU Director, Dayten leads strategic development around experiential entrepreneurship, coaches early-stage founders through all aspects of the startup development process from idea to launch, and builds collaborations across the university and greater Oklahoma entrepreneurial ecosystems to create a pipeline of entrepreneurs and talent into the Oklahoma economy. 

Director, Fabrication Lab
Email: brandt@ou.edu
LinkedIn: Brandt Smith
Office: Room 116

Brandt Smith oversees the Fabrication Lab and spearheads all Lab initiatives. His leadership has generated several internal and external projects for the Fabrication Lab, most notably the production of modified personal protective equipment during the initial Covid-19 outbreak.

Prototyping Manager, Fabrication Lab
Email: fcorobles@ou.edu
LinkedIn: Francisco Robles
Office: Room 114

Francisco Robles heads prototyping development for projects at the student and community level. 

Director, OK Catalyst
Email: sarah.hamby@ou.edu
LinkedIn: Sarah Hamby

Sarah Hamby serves as Director of OK Catalyst and works closely with entrepreneurial support and economic development organizations across the country to promote SBIR/STTR funding as a viable funding resource for university researchers and early-stage startups.

Senior Program Manager
Email: mnkouka@ou.edu
LinkedIn: Maya Nkouka

Maya Nkouka serves as a Senior Program Manager for the SBIR Funding Labs. 

Program Manager
Email: andrew.aston@ou.edu
LinkedIn: Andrew Aston

Andrew Aston serves as Program Manager for the Techical and Business Assistance (TABA) Lab.