Cristiani Fontanela is a Professor of Law, teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate (LLM) levels at Unochapecó (Universidade Comunitária da Região de Chapecó/Community University of Chapecó Region). She is also the Head of the Innovation and Technology Transfer Centre (NITT) at POLLEN, the University’s Technology and Research Park.

She researches law and innovation, focusing on industrial property, the university-business relationship, and the role of law in knowledge-based societies. Her research explores legal frameworks around intellectual property, technology transfer, and commercialisation of research. She aims to find ways to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the modern economy. Her research also seeks to improve legal and policy regimes governing intellectual assets, innovation protection, and collaboration between academia and industry.