Labyrinth Partners Consulting (LPC) is led by two former C-suite research executives who know how universities work — and how to get things done inside them, fast.
We help companies, nonprofits, and government entities navigate university complexity to establish research relationships, accelerate R&D, and build talent pipelines. We also help private and R2 university leaders conceptualize, develop and launch enterprise-level research initiatives that are future-proof, diversify and grow the research funding portfolio, attract top talent, and deliver economic impact to their university and its region.
Whether you’re leading a university or partnering with one — LPC works for you.
Universities are a maze. We solve the puzzle so you can focus on what matters.
University Connection & Partnership Development
LPC connects companies, government agencies, and nonprofits with the right university subject matter experts, resources, and administrators to achieve measurable outcomes. From sponsored or partnered R&D to locating technical talent and gaining access to specialized instruments and facilities, we work for our clients to ensure they achieve their goals on their terms and timeline.
Why it works: We eliminate the guesswork and friction of navigating university systems — accelerating the path from concept to collaboration and ensuring alignment between your needs and the university’s capabilities.
Ideal for: Companies, federal labs, and nonprofits seeking quick, targeted connections to university expertise, technology, or infrastructure.
Custom Talent Pipeline Programs
Unlike traditional undergraduate co-op and internship programs, LPC designs custom university-to-industry talent pipelines that deliver ready-to-hire candidates aligned with your organization’s needs, culture, and growth strategy. Acting as your strategic partner, we co-develop programs with top-performing researchers and labs to give high-potential students early exposure to your work — and give you direct access to tomorrow’s top talent.
Why it works: By embedding your organization directly into the research and training environment, we help you identify and shape future employees long before graduation.
Ideal for: R&D-intensive companies, government agencies, and startups facing technical workforce shortages or seeking niche expertise.
Competitive R&D Challenge Design & Management
LPC helps organizations crowdsource innovation through structured, competition-based R&D challenges. We manage every stage — from defining technical needs and identifying expert participants to overseeing proposal review, contracting, and deliverable tracking — ensuring that once a partner is chosen, projects move quickly from concept to contract to completion.
Why it works: Competition-based R&D drives creative, high-impact solutions while reducing cost and risk — and our hands-on management ensures accountability and speed.
Ideal for: Government agencies, consortia, and companies seeking breakthrough solutions across disciplines or emerging technologies.
Embedded Research Partnership Management (RPM)
For ongoing or multi-site collaborations, LPC offers embedded program management — acting as your on-demand research operations office. We coordinate with multiple universities, track milestones, manage communications, and ensure deliverables stay on time and on budget.
Why it works: Sustained partnerships require continuity and coordination — we keep multi-university collaborations aligned, efficient, and strategically productive.
Ideal for: Federal sponsors, consortia, and corporations managing large-scale or multi-institution research initiatives.
Research Partnership Readiness & Acceleration Program
Many organizations want to collaborate with universities but aren’t fully prepared to operate in an academic contracting, compliance, or IP environment. LPC provides a structured readiness assessment and acceleration program to help clients become “university-ready.” We evaluate your goals, timelines, and internal processes, then build tailored frameworks — from contracting templates to data-sharing protocols — that streamline your path to partnership.
Why it works: Being “university-ready” saves months of delay, reduces frustration, and enables repeat collaboration with minimal ramp-up.
Ideal for: Companies, government agencies, or startups new to working with universities or building research partnerships.
Bespoke Consulting Services
LPC provides tailored consulting services for universities, companies, and nonprofits seeking specialized expertise in research strategy, operations, and organizational effectiveness. Combining academic rigor with executive acumen, we deliver solutions driven by knowledge, powered by data, and proven through impact.
Why it works: We bridge the cultural and operational divide between academia and industry, helping clients design structures and strategies that turn research goals into measurable outcomes.
Ideal for: University leaders, nonprofit executives, and R&D directors seeking to optimize research performance, partnerships, or strategic investment portfolios.
Meet the Team
-
Co-Founder I Managing Partner
Jennifer served in progressive leadership roles at the University of Cincinnati beginning in 2016, culminating in her appointment as Senior Associate Vice President for Research: Strategic Programs & Initiatives from 2023 to 2025. In this role, she led the conceptualization, establishment, and operationalization of major enterprise-level research programs and investments designed to advance the university’s strategic research priorities. Her portfolio included the development and launch of Digital Futures, the National Security Research Institute (NSRI), the Institute for Transportation Infrastructure and Workforce Development (ITIWD), and BioFutures—each representing cross-disciplinary, high-impact collaborations that strengthen the university’s research enterprise and partnerships.
-
Co-Founder I Chief Scientific Officer
Pat is a former Ohio Eminent Scholar and professor of Chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. He served as the Vice President for Research for the University of Cincinnati from 2016 through 2025. His research lab has been focused on the identification, quantification, and sequence placement of modified ribonucleosides with an emphasis on characterizing and understanding the modification profiles of transfer RNAs from a variety of organisms. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a lifetime member of Phi Kappa Phi.
Partner Tesimonials
-
![]()
Astro Defense Solutions
“Pat and Jennifer are strategic thought leaders who understand how to align major research investments with our nation’s priorities. Their vision for the National Security Research Institute, including the development of its Space vertical, was both timely and forward-looking. By positioning the Institute to be administration-agnostic, they effectively future-proofed it to ensure continued relevance, funding, and national impact.”
— Dr. Patrick Binning, National Security Space Expert; Instructor, Johns Hopkins University; Former Executive, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
-
![]()
Advancement Experts
I have had the distinct pleasure of working directly with Jennifer and Pat on the BioFutures and ITIWD projects.. They truly understand both the academic and industry sides of research collaboration. I have witnessed the clarity, persistence, and deep institutional knowledge they bring to every project. They work strategically, inclusively, and swiftly to move projects forward and have a special ability to bring together academic, industry, and community institutions.
— Vicki Pugh, CEO, Advancement Experts
-
![]()
Elevated Advisors
“Pat and Jennifer bring a rare blend of strategic vision, operational discipline, and the ability to unite academia, industry, and government around a common goal. Their leadership was essential to the establishment of UC’s National Security Research Institute. They not only rallied the right researchers and external advisors but inspired us all to move away from business as usual and engage in something truly significant — creating a foundation for long-term national security impact.”
— Peter Hoffman, Founder & President, Elevated Advisors, LLC; Retired Executive, The Boeing Company -
![]()
Colliers
“Pat and Jennifer are exceptional connectors who truly understand how to translate the value of university research to the broader community. Time and time again, they have impressed me and others with their ability to listen, engage, and bridge academic and non-academic audiences which has made a positive difference in the community.”
— Beth Robinson, Senior Vice President, Colliers
-
![]()
OKI Regional Council of Governments
“Without Pat and Jennifer leading the ITIWD project, OKI would not have provided its support and financial commitment. They are trusted partners who have delivered great results for a number of joint UC Research/OKI projects. Their leadership, drive and ingenuity in establishing the Institute clearly have been the reason it has garnered growing interest from the transportation and technology sectors.”
-Mark Policinski, CEO, OKI, Regional Council of Governments
