UNeMed paralegal Mindy Ware (right) might be most recognizable as the person handing out free T-shirts to guests during the annual Innovation Week Kick-Off event. Behind the scenes, however, she’s a tech transfer industry leader and was recognized as such by TechPipeline’s most recent Excellence in Office Operations Award.

OMAHA, Nebraska (February 9, 2026)—Mindy Ware, a paralegal at UNeMed since 2010, was selected among a national pool of nominees for the Excellence in Office Operations Award by TechPipeline.

“Mindy is a tremendous asset to UNeMed,” said Jason Nickla, JD, Vice President and Director of Intellectual Property at UNeMed, the technology transfer and commercialization office for UNMC and UNO. “I admire her ability to transform potential bureaucratic messes into streamlined processes. Her straight-to-the-issue questions during meetings are always insightful.”

The honor was part of the TechPipeline Impact Awards, which recognizes the “exceptional individuals who elevate the field of technology transfer through their dedication, innovation, and expertise.” TechPipeline is one of the leading technology transfer industry organizations in the United States, providing guidance, training and best practices standards.

In presenting her the Office Operations award, Tech Pipeline correctly noted that Ware is the “lynchpin for the smooth and successful operation” of UNeMed.

“Mindy’s been at the core of many, many burdensome projects over the years that required great effort to achieve their success,” Nickla said, “and amazingly she still volunteers for new ones.”

In addition to managing and coordinating UNMC’s and UNO’s intellectual property docket, Ware also led UNeMed’s move from paper to digital records, helped develop UNeMed’s innovative data tracking system, and helped tech transfer offices everywhere with her improvements to a federal reporting program.

While the bulk of Ware’s work relates to the intellectual property that UNeMed seeks to protect University research and innovation, she might be most recognized for her volunteer roles during UNeMed’s annual Innovation Week: Handing out T-shirts during the Kick-Off event or greeting guests to the Innovation Awards.

“I immediately feel better about any project Mindy is involved in,” said UNeMed President and CEO, Michael Dixon, PhD, “because I know that’s something that will get done and done right. Honestly, it’s about time she’s getting recognition for her efforts. No one deserves this more than she does.”