Melissa Nowak is an associate in the Life Sciences Group. Melissa joined the Firm in 2006 and her practice has focused on developing patent portfolios to secure patent protection for her clients’ inventions. Melissa works with life science and biotechnology companies, universities, and non-profit research organizations to successfully obtain patent protection using practical and cost-efficient approaches.
Melissa’s areas of particular technical expertise include molecular biology, immunology, genetics, and neurosciences. Representative client technologies include applications relating to kinase inhibitors, fluorophore-protein conjugates, pH monitoring systems, microfluidic devices, DNA isolation and purification, high throughput drug screening, bacterial inhibitors, peptides, chlorotoxin-labeled nanoparticles, antibiotic compounds, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals.
In addition Melissa has experience handling reexaminations and appeals before the Unites States Patent and Trademark Office’s Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences.
Prior to entering law school, Melissa’s graduate research in comparative immunology focused on the genetic diversity of antibody light chains in monotremes. Melissa also worked as a research assistant in the field of neurosciences, where her research focused on neuronal-specific RNA binding proteins and neuronal plasticity. The results of her research have been published in prominent scientific journals.
Melissa is a member of the Firm’s Trademark Group and has experience in all aspects of trademark practice including worldwide trademark search and clearance, preparation and prosecution of trademark applications, and trademark enforcement and defense. Melissa has worked with clients in many different industries including video games, online media, music, consumer electronics, sporting goods, and pharmaceuticals, and has provided valuable in‑house attorney services for trademark clients. In addition, Melissa has handled appeals and opposition proceedings before the United States Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Melissa also counsels clients in the areas of copyright protection and infringement.
Melissa is fluent in French.
Education
- J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law, 2005
- M.S., Biology, University of New Mexico, 2002
- B.S., Biology, University of Georgia, 1996
Professional Experience
- Christensen O'Connor Johnson KindnessPLLC, Seattle, WA, 2006 to present
Technical Experience
- Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, 2000 to 2002
- Research Assistant, Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico, 1997 to 2000
- Laboratory Technician, Rock-Tenn Corporation, 1996 to 1997
Bar & Court Admissions
- United States Patent and Trademark Office
- Washington State Bar
Professional Affiliations
- Washington State Bar Association
- Washington State Patent Lawyers Association
- International Trademark Association
Publications
- "TCR gamma chain diversity in the spleen of the duckbill platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)." Devel. & Comp. Immunology 30(8):699-710 (2006). Z.E. Parra, T. Arnold, M.A. Nowak, L. Hellman, R.D. Miller.
- "The complexity of kappa light chains in egg-laying mammals." Immunogenetics 56:555-63 (2004). M.A. Nowak, Z.E. Parra, L. Hellman, R.D. Miller.
- "Increased expression and localization of the RNA-binding protein HuD and GAP-43 mRNA to cytoplasmic granules in DRG neurons during nerve regeneration." Exp. Neurology 183(1):100-108 (2003). K.D. Anderson, M.A. Merhege, M. Morin, F. Bolognani and N.I. Perrone-Bizzozero.
- "Overexpression of HuD, but Not of Its Truncated Form HuD I+II, Promotes GAP-43 Gene Expression and Neurite Outgrowth in PC12 Cells in the Absence of Nerve Growth Factor. J." Neurochemistry 75(3):1103-1114 (2000). K.D. Anderson, M.A. Morin, A. Beckel-Mitchener, C.D. Mobarak, R.L. Neve, H.M. Furneaux, R. Burry, N.I. Perrone-Bizzozero.
- "The RNA-binding Protein HuD Is Required for GAP-43 mRNA Stability, GAP-43 Gene Expression, and PKC-dependent Neurite Outgrowth in PC12 Cells." Mol. Biol. Cell 11(9):3191-3203 (2000). C.D. Mobarak, K.D. Anderson, M. Morin, A. Beckel-Mitchener, S.L. Rogers, H. Furneaux, P. King, and N.I. Perrone-Bizzozero.
- "Overexpression of HuD Accelerates Neurite Outgrowth and Increases GAP-43 mRNA Expression in Cortical Neurons and Retinoic Acid-Induced Embryonic Stem Cells in Vitro." Exp. Neurology 168(2):250-258 (2001). K.D. Anderson, J. Sengupta, M. Morin, R.L. Neve, C.F. Valenzuela and N.I. Perrone-Bizzozero.