07/22/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/22/2024 11:16
The University of Wyoming has selected academic technology transfer expert Arundeep Pradhan for the newly created position of deputy vice president for research and innovation.
Pradhan had been working in an interim director role for the UW Technology Transfer Office.
Pradhan will work closely with UW Vice President for Research and Economic Development Parag Chitnis, who oversees the university's Research and Economic Development Division (REDD). Together, they will jointly manage 20 units of REDD, which coordinates the origination, organization and execution of UW's research mission with principal investigators, departments, colleges, centers and institutes.
The division also works with faculty, staff and student inventors through the Technology Transfer Office to identify, protect and commercialize intellectual property. These services are provided so that scholarly activities accomplished at UW enhance the creation of new knowledge and new applications of existing knowledge while having a positive impact on economic development and society in general.
"We are extremely delighted Arun has accepted this critically important role with us," Chitnis says. "His demonstrated expertise and passion in fostering research translation and commercialization are what UW needs in strengthening and broadening its innovation enterprise for economic prosperity in Wyoming."
As interim director of the Technology Transfer Office, Pradhan grew the technology transfer program to meet the unique needs of both the university and Wyoming. His work featured a customer-needs-driven strategy for commercialization and utilization of research outcomes.
He previously served as president of Apio Innovation Transfer (APIOiX), an internationally recognized consulting firm that specializes in academic technology transfer, business startup support, entrepreneurship, business development and training. APIOiX's clients included UW among several other universities, small and medium enterprises, government agencies and development banks around the world.
Before this position, Pradhan led technology transfer activities at Oregon Health & Science University, Colorado State University and the University of Utah. He also has served as president of AUTM -- formerly the Association of University Technology Managers.
"I am thrilled to be joining the REDD team to develop and fulfill the university's research and innovation vision," Pradhan says. "I enjoy working with people to solve problems and am passionate about developing and building ecosystems that support research, entrepreneurship and innovation."
About the University of Wyoming Research and Economic Development Division
REDD is a service organization to the faculty, staff and students of UW. Its goal is to provide swift, accurate and expert service to enhance the research missions of individuals and various units within the university. REDD empowers researchers, scholars, innovators and entrepreneurs with stewardship of expertise, interdisciplinary collaboration and transformational impact and prosperity for Wyoming and the world. To learn more, visit www.uwyo.edu/research.