The Office of Innovation and Commercialization at the University of Hawaii has appointed James “Jim” R. Deane as its new director, UH announced earlier this week. The appointment is effective beginning March 18.
The Office of Innovation and Commercialization is housed under the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation.
In the role, “Deane will be responsible for the management of intellectual property and UH-developed technology assets, including the active solicitation of invention disclosures from researchers to increase technology licensing and patents,” UH officials noted in the announcement. “He will also be responsible for technology evaluation and marketing, venture creation, promoting industry engagement, and the development of commercial partnerships to help stimulate economic growth.”
He will also help UH faculty, students and alumni navigate the commercialization process through UH’s HITIDE accelerator and other innovation programs.
Deane succeeds Steve Auerbach, who served as interim director.
For Deane, the new role marks a return to UH, where he earned master of science and doctorate degrees in astrophysics from the Institute for Astronomy at UH Manoa. According to the announcement, Deane has held similar roles at other universities, with his previous experience including associate director for Engineering at the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Transfer, and licensing officer roles at the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Most recently, he served as associate director of Industry, Innovation and Translation at the University of Oregon.
“I’m excited to come back to my alma mater and contribute to the revitalization of the tech transfer function,” said Deane in a statement. “Since I graduated, I’ve watched the program evolve over the years and eagerly awaited the chance to bring to it my experiences and best practices from the other great [Association of American Universities] universities where I’ve had the privilege to serve. I’m just thrilled to help the OIC team to realize the potential in this flagship institution."
In a statement, UH Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis L. Syrmos said that the university is “excited” to have Deane step into the role.
“As we continue to be a driver of research, innovation, knowledge and economic development both globally, and most important locally, Jim’s knowledge and skillset in innovation partnerships and tech transfer, plus his familiarity with Hawaii, will be key to forging our success in these important endeavors,” Syrmos stated.
