Katharine Ku appointed to University of Utah Research Foundation Board of Directors
Former director of Stanford University’s Office of Technology Licensing will help advise foundation through period of growth and evolution
April 25, 2019 (Salt Lake City)—The University of Utah Research Foundation has appointed Katharine Ku to its board of directors. Ku recently retired from Stanford University’s Office of Technology Licensing after serving as executive director for 27 years. A world-renowned expert in technology transfer, she developed nine principles for university technology licensing that have been adopted by tech transfer offices across the country.
“Katharine is joining the UURF board at a crucial time,” said Andy Weyrich, vice president for Research. “The university just surpassed the $500 million mark for annual research investment, and our faculty are increasingly interested in commercializing their discoveries in ways that contribute to the greater good.”
The UURF—a 501(c)(3) organization—is wholly owned by University of Utah. The foundation is comprised of the university’s Research Park and the intellectual property and associated licenses, which are managed by the U’s Center for Technology & Venture Commercialization (TVC). “Kathy’s expertise in technology transfer will be invaluable as we move further to a value-driven model for technology commercialization,” said Keith Marmer, TVC executive director.
Ku’s appointment was ratified at the April 24 UURF board meeting, and her term is effective immediately.
“I share the university’s philosophy for technology development—do what is in the best public interest, while creating value and impact,” said Ku. “Taking this approach to commercialization will help the university meet the goals of its administration, faculty and investors.”
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About the University of Utah Research Foundation
The University Of Utah Research Foundation promotes, conducts, encourages, and facilitates research, development and dissemination, and application of knowledge in the fields of science, technology, medicine, pharmacy, engineering, natural resources, energy, business, and education. It commercializes its inventions through license agreements with external organizations and allocates the realized funds for research and education programs of the university.
About the University of Utah Office of the Vice President for Research
The Office of the Vice President for Research oversees numerous research administration units that provide support services, research opportunities, and professional development for researchers, students, and staff at the University of Utah. The reporting VPR units are responsible for compliance and safety, research education and training, technology patent and commercialization, grant proposal development and submission, and more. Through strategic leadership and planning, the VPR office is dedicated to providing effective resources that serve the university’s research community and accelerate innovation and discovery at the U.
About the Center for Technology & Venture Commercialization
The Center for Technology & Venture Commercialization is dedicated to helping the University of Utah’s faculty inventors bring their innovations to market. TVC is responsible for all aspects of invention management, patent prosecution, licensing, startup formation and support, equity management and early-stage funding. The center’s mission is to generate economic returns for the university and the state of Utah, expand the university’s reputation for innovation, and positively impact society. The University of Utah was recently ranked as the number-one university for technology commercialization in the country by the Milken Institute. TVC is proud to help foster this spirit of discovery.