Director of Commercialization Programs

Lena Zappia

Lena Zappia serves as the Director of Commercialization Programs at the Innovation Hub, where she specializes in guiding teams through the NSF I-Corps customer discovery process. Her work focuses on helping innovators equip themselves with the tools and insights they need to increase the success of their products in the marketplace. She has a BS in Biology and an MBA in Management of Science, Technology, and Innovation from George Washington University. Prior to joining the Innovation Hub, she dedicated over a decade to molecular biology and immunology research before transitioning to industry, overseeing safety testing services for vaccines and other biologicals as a Product Manager.

Since moving to Lubbock in 2015, Lena has been passionate about working with Texas Tech’s talented faculty and students. She thrives on discovering new research and innovation projects, taking pride in helping ideas evolve from initial concepts to reality. Her commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the entrepreneurial spirit of the Texas Tech community is a constant source of excitement!