Experienced Innovators Selected to Help Advance Technology and Innovation at the University of Houston

The College of Houston is proud to announce the appointment of two distinguished professionals to key management roles throughout the Office of Technology, Transfer, and Innovation (OTTI) below the Division of Vitality and Innovation. These appointments mark a big step ahead within the College’s continued dedication to fostering entrepreneurship, innovation and partnerships between academia and trade.

Haleh Ardebili, the Kamel Salama Endowed Professor of Mechanical Engineering, has been appointed as the brand new assistant vp of Entrepreneurship and Startup Ecosystem. Michael Harold, Cullen Engineering Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, assumes the position of assistant vp for Mental Property and Industrial Engagements.

“Drs. Ardebili and Harold are each examined leaders of their respective areas – they’re already contributing to our wealthy educational setting with their information, experience and dedication to innovation,” mentioned Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vp for power and innovation at UH. “Having them helm our rising workforce will assist UH proceed its tradition of innovation and contribution to society.”

In her new position, Ardebili will oversee the entrepreneurship and startup efforts at UH. She will probably be answerable for directing the startup and entrepreneurship employees throughout the OTTI, with a give attention to advancing college and student-related innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives. Amongst her key duties will probably be guiding and mentoring to school and scholar startups, facilitating collaborations with entities such because the Wolff Middle for Entrepreneurship, and growing the commercialization of know-how developed at UH.

Harold, in his new position, will lead the college’s know-how switch actions. He’ll direct the licensing and IP administration employees throughout the OTTI, and give attention to selling the era of mental property, managing the college’s IP portfolio, and fostering trade partnerships. He may even oversee the efficient operation and stewardship of UH IP property, guaranteeing optimum monetization and safety of mental property.

Each positions will play integral roles in growing college engagement, facilitating improvements from analysis labs to market and enhancing collaboration with inner and exterior stakeholders. These appointments underscore UH’s dedication to driving innovation, financial growth and trade partnerships.

Ardebili, who first joined the College in 2004, beforehand served because the director of the Cullen Faculty of Engineering’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative. She and her workforce developed a cutting-edge totally stretchable fabric-based lithium-ion battery, which holds promise for varied purposes, together with potential use in astronauts’ gear, army uniforms and underwater automobiles. Her analysis has garnered help from the Nationwide Science Basis, NASA, U.S. Division of Protection and extra. She additionally brings trade expertise, having served as a analysis scientist for Common Electrical R&D between 2000 and 2003.

Harold labored on the DuPont Firm in varied technical and managerial positions between 1993 and 2000. He joined UH in 2000 as chair of the Division of Chemical Engineering. He served in that position till 2008 and once more from 2013-20. He and his college students conduct analysis of catalytic reactions in power and environmental purposes. As principal investigator of the Texas Middle for Clear Engines, Emissions and Fuels (TxCEF), he has superior catalytic applied sciences that scale back dangerous car emissions and carried out testing and verification of applied sciences for medium- and heavy-duty automobiles. Along with quite a few trade {and professional} accolades, Harold’s contributions earned him the Esther Farfel Award, the very best honor bestowed to a school member at UH, in 2013.

Each Ardebili and Harold will proceed their college roles along with their new obligations.