Salk welcomes national leader in academic technology transfer

February 7, 2011

Salk welcomes national leader in academic technology transfer

Strategic Patent, Licensing and Start-Up Visionary Comes to the Salk

February 7, 2011

LA JOLLA, CA—The Salk Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert MacWright, Ph.D., Esq. as Executive Director of the Salk Institute Office of Technology Development. His appointment begins February 14, 2011.

Dr. MacWright has extensive experience in academic technology transfer. For over a decade he was Executive Director of the University of Virginia Patent Foundation, where he led a broad expansion and modernization of its patent and licensing activities. He also led the creation of a subsidiary that supported faculty start-up companies, and the creation of a local angel investment fund. He previously led the creation and development of technology transfer programs at Rutgers University, and served as Executive Director of the Rutgers University Office of Corporate Liaison and Technology Transfer.

“Robert’s strategic and academic experience will be a huge asset to the Salk,” said William R. Brody, President, Salk Institute. “His deep understanding of basic research, academia and industry is unique and he is poised to take our Technology Transfer to new heights.”

Dr. MacWright brings expertise as a patent lawyer, having practiced law at Kenyon & Kenyon, at Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom, and at Frommer Lawrence & Haug. He holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Rutgers University and the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. He has academic and industry research experience in protein chemistry and molecular genetics. He holds a law degree from The Rutgers School of Law in Newark.

“The Office of Technology Management and Development plays a significant role in Salk’s ability to advance basic research into the marketplace. Robert’s energy and advocacy come at a crucial time. We look forward to his leadership,” said Marsha Chandler, Executive Vice President, Salk Institute.

Über das Salk Institute for Biological Studies:
Das Salk Institute for Biological Studies ist eine der weltweit führenden Institutionen für Grundlagenforschung, an der international renommierte Fakultätsmitglieder grundlegende Fragen der Biowissenschaften in einem einzigartigen, kollaborativen und kreativen Umfeld untersuchen. Mit dem Fokus auf Entdeckungen und die Ausbildung zukünftiger Forschergenerationen leisten Salk-Wissenschaftler bahnbrechende Beiträge zu unserem Verständnis von Krebs, Alterung, Alzheimer, Diabetes und Infektionskrankheiten durch die Untersuchung von Neurowissenschaften, Genetik, Zell- und Pflanzenbiologie sowie verwandten Disziplinen.

Die Leistungen der Fakultät wurden mit zahlreichen Auszeichnungen gewürdigt, darunter Nobelpreise und Mitgliedschaften in der National Academy of Sciences. Das 1960 vom Polio-Impfstoff-Pionier Dr. Jonas Salk gegründete Institut ist eine unabhängige gemeinnützige Organisation und ein architektonisches Wahrzeichen.