Curtis R. Powell, PhD

Overview

Curtis Powell focuses his practice on patent prosecution and counseling clients in the biotechnology and life sciences industries. In addition to advising clients on patent portfolio development and management, Curtis works with clients on: patentability, freedom-to-operate, infringement, and validity opinions; patent landscape studies; Bayh-Dole compliance; and due diligence. Curtis has also worked with clients on contested matters before the USPTO and various foreign jurisdictions. Curtis’s clients include start-ups, mid-size companies, large companies, and universities.

Prior to joining Wolf Greenfield, Curtis received his PhD in Biological Chemistry at the University of Michigan. Following his PhD, Curtis was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute at the University of Michigan. Curtis’s research focused on the role that DNA methylation and Apobec2 proteins play during zebrafish retina and optic nerve regeneration, opening new avenues for research in stimulating mammalian regeneration.

While a graduate student at the University of Michigan, Curtis participated as a Graduate Student Instructor in a course designed to teach undergraduate students various biochemical topics including protein folding and structure, nucleic acid structure/chemistry, DNA replication, transcription, translation, signal transduction, epigenetics, and immunology.

Activities

• During law school, Curtis participated in the Emmett Environmental Law and Policy Clinic. While participating in the clinic, Curtis helped develop a manual to support people who are researching and responding to public health and environmental concerns. See Powell C., Godfrey P., Jacobs W., Goho S., and Joroff A. (2017) A Manual for Citizen Scientists Starting or Participating in Data Collection and Environmental Monitoring Projects, Harvard Law School Emmett Environmental Law & Policy Clinic. 

• Between 2009 and 2015, Curtis participated as a volunteer in the Boy Scouts of America in various capacities including Den Leader, Assistant Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster.

Recognition

• Recognized on the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch list by The Best Lawyers in America®
• 2015 Biological Chemistry Dziewiatkoski Award, University of Michigan - Most Outstanding Dissertation
• 2014 Proquest Distinguished Dissertation Award Nominee, University of Michigan
• 2014 Biological Chemistry Lee Murphy Memorial Prize, University of Michigan - Most Significant Scientific Paper
• 2013 Rackham Graduate School Predoctoral Fellowship, University of Michigan - Top 3% at Rackham Graduate School
• 2011 Biological Chemistry Halvor N. and Mary Christensen Award - Most Outstanding 2nd year Graduate Student

Interests

Curtis is an Eagle Scout, an outdoorsman, and a carpenter.