University of Mississippi

Allyson M. Best is director of technology management in the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at the University of Mississippi.

Best’s duties include managing UM’s intellectual property portfolio, assisting in evaluating the patentability and commercial viability of UM technologies, and negotiating and managing collaboration and commercialization agreements.

Allyson is recognized as a leader not only in the local community, where she has served in numerous positions including the chair of the board of directors of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, but also internationally within the Association of University Technology Managers. She has worked for over 20 years to support UM’s research and economic development efforts. Allyson has also been a highly effective mentor to many faculty, staff, students and entrepreneurs.

A Clemson University alumna, Allyson Best earned her Master of Business Administration degree from UM in 1996. She joined the university’s staff in 1994 as a project coordinator in the School of Pharmacy. Best became assistant director of technology management in ORSP in 2006 and was promoted to associate director in 2011.

Her Ole Miss tenure includes serving on the boards of directors for the Friends of the Museum, the School of Business Administration’s MBA program and the UM Research Foundation.

Besides serving as a past chair of the board for the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, she serves as president of the Oxford School District Foundation board of directors. She completed the Mississippi Economic Council Leadership Mississippi course and chaired the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Lafayette course for four years.