Dr. Gunnels is a registered patent attorney practicing primarily in the areas of patent prosecution and counseling. She has over 15 years of experience developing and implementing patent-portfolio and prosecution strategies in the U.S. and abroad for clients ranging from large multinational companies to universities and start-ups. Dr. Gunnels’ experience involves drafting and prosecuting patent applications as well as conducting due diligences; drafting validity, infringement, and patentability opinions; participating in ex parte reexaminations; and working on patent litigation. Her technology areas of expertise include biotechnology, enzymes and industrial enzymatic processes, vaccines, antibodies, stem cells, animal-feed formulations, protein and peptide chemistry and formulations, pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations, methods of treatment, chemical entities, co-crystals, catalysts, beverages, food products, and medical devices, among others.
Dr. Gunnels started her legal career at Finnegan and has since worked at Drinker Biddle & Reath, JA Lindeman & Co, and The Marbury Law Group. Prior to her legal career, she conducted research that involved molecular signaling mechanisms in the heart.